School Programs

Booking details

Here is some important information to keep in mind before booking your group to come to the museum.

Times

Programs are approximately 2 hours long
Education programs can be booked in the morning or afternoon
Bookings can accommodate bussing requirements
Earliest start time is 9:30 a.m. for a program.

Program Fees

$7 per student / participant per program.
Minimum of $70 per group
Evenings and weekends are minimum $140 per group
No charge for supervisors

Subsidies

A subsidy may be available for City of Peterborough schools. Please enquire when booking.

Cancellations

At least 48 hours advanced notice is required to avoid payment of full fees. Exception applies on days of bus cancellations. Please call to rebook.

Frequently asked questions

See below for the most frequently asked questions regarding field trips.

Can two classes attend the same program together?

Unfortunately, no. Our programs can only accommodate one class at a time.

However, if you are wishing to visit with another class please see options below:

1. One class could complete an education program that takes place in the exhibit while the second class completes a program that takes place in the classroom.

2. One class could visit in the morning while the second class visits in the afternoon.

3. Plan a full day visit by selection two programs! For this option, class one would complete a program in the exhibit while class two completes a program in the classroom. Both classes would eat lunch together, and then do the opposite program in the afternoon. Total time needed for this option is 5 hours.

Can we use the heritage pavilion?

If available, yes.

Please let us know at time of booking that you would like to use the pavilion and we will book the space on your behalf.

Do you have a water fountain?

No. However, we do have a water cooler available for students to refill their water bottles.

How many parent volunteers are required? Is there a maximum?

We do not require a specific number of parent volunteers and there is no maximum for how many adults can join the field trip. The more the merrier!

Do you need to bring indoor shoes?

In the winter, indoor shoes are great to bring. However, do not fret if they are forgotten.

Can we have a snack break?

Of course! Simply let us know at time of booking and we will schedule a snack break into the program.

Elementary school programs

The following programs are available for booking any time during the school year. Programs with a * beside the title can be adapted to be delivered through a virtual presentation.

Discover Anishinaabe teachings as we explore the rich tradition of storytelling! In this interactive program, students will engage in role play to learn and retell a story, sharing it with their peers. Together, we will reflect on the meaningful teachings each story holds about life, nature, and community.

Ontario curriculum for social studies 2023: Strand A: "Heritage and Identity"
Program take place in our permenant exhibit.
Please prepare to have the students divided into 4 groups for this program.

In this popular program, students experience the excitement of a real dig as they uncover traces of six Peterborough and area communities. Students will work within groups to follow the steps of an archaeological dig, as well as discover the stories behind their artifacts. The program concludes with an opportunity for students to share their findings.

Ontario curriculum for social studies 2023: 'Heritage and Identity"
Program takes place in our classroom.
Please prepare to have the students divided into 6 groups for this program.

"Excellent program. Very suitable for our grade 4/5 medieval / ancient civilizations program."

Students travel back in time to explore life with the Anishinaabe First Nations, and then pack their bags for a voyage on the immigrant ship 'John Barry'. The journey continues as one of Peter Robinson's settlers, as they make a new home in the backwoods of Upper Canada. Through activity centres, students will explore the experience of early settlers in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong.

Ontario curriculum for social studies 2023: 'Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada 1780-1850'
Program takes place in our permanent exhibit.
Please prepare to have students divided into 4 groups for this program.

"This program was amazing! It was a direct link to the curriculum we just learned. The kids knew all of the theory, but they wouldn't get the hands-on from the books, so it was great!"

The adventure begins with a map to your very own treasure chest! Students use primary source documents such as maps, photographs and artifacts to investigate and tell the stories of Peterborough's heritage.

Ontario curriculum for social studies 2023: social studies concepts and the inquiry process
Program takes place in our permanent exhibit

"This program was excellent, and I truly liked all of it. Hands-on mapping was an excellent way to learn about our streets in Peterborough."

The story begins in the Museum's permanent galleries with indigenous migrations, Treaty 20, and the arrival of the region's earliest European settlers. Students then discover the personal stories of the 1825 Peter Robinson immigrants from Ireland through role playing and exploring archival documents detailing their journey to the backwoods of Upper Canada.

Ontario curriculum for social studies 2023: 'Heritage and identity: Communities in Canada, Past and Present'
Program takes place in our permanent exhibit.

Let's do some math at the museum! Through our quilt collection, students will become detectives as they search for a variety of shapes and patterns. With the eye of a curator, they will search for the "bigger" pictures and help us solve an old mystery. The program concludes with four hands-on math centres exploring patterns and shapes.

Ontario curriculum for mathematics 2020 : 'Social and Emotional Learning Skills and Mathematical Processes, Patterns and Relationships, Spatial Sense' grades 1 to 3
Program takes place in our classroom.

Fascinating artifacts from our collection generate ideas for storyboards, reports, letters, drama and storytelling.

Ontario curriculum for language: grades 4, 5, and 6
Program takes place in our classroom.

What is it? How does it work? Through a variety of hands-on learning activities, students will decode the ways in which wheels, pulleys, levers, and screws combine to make 'work' easier.

Ontario curriculum for science and technology: 'Understanding Structure and Mechanisms', 'Movement': grade 2
Program takes place in our classroom.

In this gentle introduction to museums, young children enjoy the simple pleasures of a wide variety of games and toys. Traditional indigenous and early settler life is explored with a focus on play.

Program takes place in our permanent exhibit.

Secondary school programs

PMA Collection: Interpreting Artifacts & Photographs

Designed specifically for high school students, this hands-on program offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with items from the Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) collection. Participants will delve into the roles of curators and archivists, learning how to analyze and interpret artifacts and photographs like museum professionals. Through interactive activities, students will develop critical thinking skills, uncovering the stories behind each item and understanding their significance in Peterborough's heritage.

Online resources

Flash Cards - Anishinaabemowin

Use these flash cards to learn Anishinaabemowin words, their English translations, and how to pronounce them. All flash cards include images or photographs, and all terms are related to the "To Honour and Respect" exhibition.

Flash Cards - Phrases for Thanksgiving

To Honour and Respect Education Resources: Compiled by Anishinaabemowin language teacher Jonathan Taylor, these flashcards will translate phrases into English, with pronunciation guides.

Children walking into museum along a walkway with snow covered lawn

Class museum

Together your class will choose a museum theme & go through the step-by-step process of creating their own mini exhibits! This fun project, is suitable for Grades 3-8 and is customizable to suit your learning goals. The program can be taught virtually or in-person, and includes videos to introduce each activity and corresponding PDF work sheets to guide student learning. Access the program by hitting the button below and we will send the materials right to your inbox.

Museum classroom blog

Our blog series "Museum Classroom" is a great resource to discover new programming ideas, activities and more! Whether you are learning in a classroom, the kitchen table or the great outdoors please use the resources found here as you see fit.

Photo waiver

In the course of all program activities, photos will be taken and audio and/or visual recordings may be made. We reserve the right to use all photographs and videos of our programs, participants, special events and facilities for promotional purposes. Children's names are not used. Please advise the Instructor of any children whose parents have indicated that they are not have their picture taken.

City Hall
500 George St. N.
Peterborough, ON
K9H 3R9

Phone: 705-742-7777
Toll Free: 1-855-738-3755
Email Us