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Program Options
Native American Culture Days
November 5 and 6, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Special hands-on program offered in conjunction with Native American month at the Museum. Call for more information.
Immigration and Diversity
These programs introduce students to the concept of diversity through the exploration of immigrants to the region.
What's in My Trunk?
Students are led through Newcomers: The People of This Place to learn how they prepared for their journey to Grand Rapids. Students explore the exhibit, look at touch-its and participate in an activity to help them better understand the decisions made by the Newcomers as they prepared for their long journey.
Grades K - 2, 75 Minutes
KC4 Links: Social Studies K:1, 1:1, 2:1, K:2, 1:2, K:3, 1:3, K:6, 1:7, K:7, 1:9, 2.9, Current Events, 1:8, 2:8, 2:7, Language Arts K:7, K:8, 1:9, 1:10, 2:3, 2:4
Obstacles and Contributions
Students explore the trials faced by the Newcomers as they settled into life in Grand Rapids, and their contributions that helped create a unique community. Touch-its and exploration through the exhibit provide concrete examples for the students.
Grades 3 - 5, 75 Minutes
KC4 Links: Social Studies 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 3:2, 4:2, 5:2, 3:3, 4:3, 5:3, 3:9, 3.11, 4:12, 5:11, Current Events 4:8, 5:7, 4:10, Language Arts 3:4, 3:7, 4:8, 5:7, 4:10
Who Am I?
Students learn how the cultural traditions of the Newcomers helped to define who they became when they settled in Grand Rapids. The program focuses on the similarities between the choices made by Newcomers and the choices made by adolescents today.
Grades 6 - 8, 75 Minutes
KC4 Links: Social Studies 6:2, 6:3, 6:4, 6:6, 6:8, 6:10, 7:1, 7:4, 7:5, 7:7, 7:9, Language Arts 6:1, 6:12, 7:3, 8:2
Discovering the People of Grand Rapids
As a part of a larger debate simulation (available in teacher’s packet), students will explore the exhibit through the eyes of the group they represent for the project. The objects and interactive displays in the exhibit will help students gain context for their outside research.
Grades 9 - 12, Teacher Led
KC4 Links: Social Studies AH:1, AH:2, E:1, Language Arts 9:13, 10:10, 10:12, 11:8, 11:10, 11:11
Living History Programs
Lewis and Clark: Through the Eyes of a Fur Trader
Students will enjoy this two-part experience. The program begins with the IMAX film, Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West at Celebration Cinema, and concludes with an interactive presentation at the Museum by our own “fur trader”.
IMAX – Museum Combo, only available until December
Dates: September - June
IMAX Film:
Fur Trader Presentation at the Museum:
Cost: $10.50/student ($5.50 for film; $5.00 for Museum program)
KC4 Links: History 2:6, 3:2, 3:3, 4:4, 4:5, I/G in Society 3:8, 4:2, 4:4, 5:5, 9:3
Science
West Michigan Habitats Programs
Happy Habitats
Students go on a guided tour of the West Michigan Habitats Exhibit to explore the different aspects of a habitat. Tour includes stops in our lake, sand dune, marsh and forest habitats. Students also will have the opportunity to interact with some of our touch-its related to the tour.
Dates: September – June
Grades: 1-2
Length: 60 min. Max Group Size: 25
MI Curriculum Links: LO III 2.1, 2.4; LEC III 5.2 & 5.4
Organisms and Interdependence
An interactive guided tour for your students through our West Michigan Habitats exhibit. Students are able to experience the communities found in the lake, dunes, marsh and forest habitats of Michigan. An engaging activity demonstrating the community food web is included with this program.
Dates: September - June
Grades: 3 - 5
Exhibit: Habitats
Length: 60 Min. Max. Group Size: 25
MI Curriculum Links: LO III 2:1, III 2:3, III 2:4, LEC III 5:1, III 5:2, PWV IV 4:1, EG V 1:1, V 1:2, V 1:3, EH V 2:3
Engineering Programs
Thinking Big and Building Small – Engineering Made Fun
Your students will explore various applications of math, architecture, problem solving, drawing, estimation and mechanics through fun hands-on engineering activities. This program includes stations about Robotics and Electronics, Bridge Construction, Tunnel Making, Steam and Power and Waste Water Treatment. This program is offered through partnership with the National Association of Engineers and its Michigan Chapter.
2009 Dates: February 16, 18 and 20
Grades: 3-7
Length: 90 min. Max. Group Size: 25
Cost: $5.00 per student
Limited Capacity
KC4 Links: Science 3:5, 3:10, 4:4, 4:5, 4:7, 5:3, 5:4, 5:9, 6:4, 6:5, 7:5, 8:3, 8:7, 9:2, 9:7; Social Studies 3:2, 5:9; Mathematics 2:7, 3:5; Ext. Activities Grades 2 and 3; High School Geometry G6, G10, Algebra A15; Career Pathways Grades 3, 5 and 6
Social Studies
Native American Programs
Anishinabek: The People of This Place
Introduction to the Native peoples of Michigan: the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi - the Anishinabek. The program focuses on the survival of their culture and their continued contributions to the West Michigan community. Students are given the opportunity to handle different artifacts, and also participate in a scavenger hunt through the exhibit.
Dates: September - June
Exhibit: Anishinabek
Grades: 3-4
Length: 75 Min. Max. Group Size: 25
KC4 links: Social Studies 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 2:2, 2:3, 2:4, 4:1, 4:2, 4:4
Life Along the O-Wash-Ta-Nong
The culture of the historic Native Americans of the Grand River Valley comes alive in this interactive program. Students help to construct a wigwam, play Native American games and complete a craft. This program is ideal for lower elementary students.
Grades: 1-2
Dates: September – June
Exhibit: Anishinabek
Length: 75 Min. Maximum Group Size: 25
KC4 links: Social Studies 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 2:2, 2:3, 2:4, 4:1, 4:4
Local Community Programs
Grand Rapids Then & Now
Students explore issues of community and everyday life in West Michigan a century ago. During this program students will visit three shops in the full scale recreation of Grand Rapids from over a century ago, participate in a hunt through the exhibit and ride on our antique carousel.
Dates: September – June
Grades: 1 - 2
Exhibit: Streets of Old Grand Rapids
Length: 75 Min. Max. Group Size: 25
KC4 links: Social Studies 1:8, 2:7, 2:9, 3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4
Historic Grand Rapids: The City that Furniture Built
Students explore the impact of the furniture industry on our community from the beginning to the present. Specifically, the impact on the people, the environment and the economy are explored. Students also have the opportunity to participate in our interactive timeline of Grand Rapids history as a part of the program.
Dates: September – June
Grades: 3 - 4
Exhibit: Furniture City
Length: 75 Min. Max. Group Size 25
KC4 links: Social Studies 1:8, 2:7, 2:9, 3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4
River of Time
This outdoor walking tour in downtown Grand Rapids will take students through our cultural history from the earliest inhabitants and trading posts, to the bustling capital of commerce Grand Rapids is today. Dress for the weather. Alternate indoor tour offered in case of rain.
Dates: September, October, April, May, June
Grades: 3 - 5
A Downtown Grand Rapids Walking Tour
Length: 60 Min. Max. Group Size: 25
KC4 links: Social Studies 3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4, 3:5, 3:6, 4:1, Science 5:4
Story Organ Programs
Include a Story Organ Program for your Students
Stories relating to Museum exhibits are presented in the Meijer Theater on the Museum’s second floor with a unique presentation combining live reading with images on the screen, and all accompanied by background music provided by the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ. After the story, the workings of the pipe organ are explained.
There is no additional charge for this program, however, reservations are required.
Duration: 35 minutes
Available every Mondays and the second Friday of each month at 9:45 am, 10:30 am, 11:15 am and Noon
Available Story Organ Program Book Selections, 2007 - 2008
Theme: Reminiscing
Song & Dance Man by Karen Ackerman, illustrated by Steven Gammell, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. – for all ages
Eliza’s Carousel Lion written and illustrated by Lynn A. Strough, David R. Godine, Inc. – for all ages
Theme: Family History
Meteor written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco, The Putman & Grosset Group – for all ages
Theme: Habitat/Natural Environment
Lost In the Woods by Carl R Sams II & Jean Stoick – for early elementary ages
Theme: Native American
Rough Faced Girl written by Rafe Martin, illustrated by David Shannon, G.P. Putman’s Sons, NY – for 2nd grade and up
Theme: Michigan History/Native American Legend
The Legend of the Sleeping Bear written by Kathy-jo Warin, illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, based on a Native American legend. Sleeping Bear Press, Chelsea, Mi. – for 3rd grade and up
Theme: African American History
Minty, the story of young Harriet Tubman by Alan Schroeder, illustrated by Jerry Pinckney – for all ages