Groups & Educational Programs
Markham Museum Educational Programs
Take your classroom learning to the next level.
Markham Museum examines the on-going settlement of Canada’s most diverse municipality. The Museum is situated on 25 acres of parkland and houses over 20 heritage structures and modern exhibition spaces providing an ideal learning environment outside of the classroom. The Museums overall program direction is anchored in sustainability and awareness of our interaction with the world around us. Markham Museum is not interpreted as a village, but as a series of exhibitions that link our common experiences and technologies.
Markham Museum offers a wide range of educational programs designed to meet the Ontario’s Ministry of Education curriculum expectations and enhance classroom learning. We strive to provide cross-curricular experiences in all our programs while also ensuring that all participants’ needs are met through hands on learning and exploration.
We offer both half-day and full-day programs 7 days a week and can accommodate various group sizes depending on the program. Each program is lead by a trained Program Instructor to ensure you get the most out of your visit. All programs consist of indoor and outdoor components year-round.
Pricing:
Our programs are flexible and you can choose one 2 hour program ($9.50 per child) for a half day experience or combine any 2 programs ($19 per child) for a full day trip experience. Full day trips will also include a 30 min lunch space in our outdoor covered pavilion area, for 4.5 hours in length.
- Early Learning (Preschool - Grade 1) Programs
A is for Apple
Preschool - Grade 1
Program Description: Discover the wonderful world of apples, from how they grow to the many ways that apples are used now and in our past. Children will visit the Museum’s heritage apple orchard where they will learn about the seasons in the orchard and how apple trees grow. Each group will also participate in their very own ‘Apple Schnitzing Bee’ peeling apples and discovering how important bees are to apple trees and visit a historic home where the children will learn about food preservation of the past. Each child will also create their own apple magnet craft to take home.
- Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon (includes approximately 15 minutes for a snack and bathroom break, snack not provided by Museum)
- Cost: $9.50 per participant
- Minimum Number of Participants: 18
- Maximum Number of Participants: 50-60 (2 classes)
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 5 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program, $9.50.
Markham Moves – Things That Go
Preschool - Grade 1
Program Description: Planes, trains and cars, oh my! Discover the world of transportation with your class at the Markham Museum through our Markham Moves exhibition. This hands-on exhibition celebrates and explores different modes of transportation, while providing students with the basic principles of physics, engineering and motion, through a number of hands-on and interactive displays, modules and play-spaces. Through this two hours program classes will explore transportation, physics and motion with hands-on activities and challenges. Groups will spend one hour exploring Markham Moves and up to 1 hour of guided hands-on transportation themed activities and craft.
- Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon (includes approximately 15 minutes for a snack and bathroom break, snack not provided by Museum)
- Cost: $9.50 per participant
- Minimum Number of Participants: 18
- Maximum Number of Participants: 50-60 (2 classes)
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 5 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program, $9.50.
Please contact museumeducation@markham.ca for further information on our Preschool - Grade 1 Programs.
- Elementary School Programs
STEAM – Little Makers
Grades 1-2
Program Description:
Design – Build – Play! Celebrate the creativity and possibilities of Maker Culture at Markham Museum by exploring the Markham Community Makers exhibition. Students will use their imaginations to complete curriculum based hands-on team challenges and build structures from the local community or international landmarks with identical construction KEVA planks. Students will further put their STEAM knowledge, skills, and creativity to the test by discovering how everyday objects and structures are made from different materials and participating in a take home innovative building challenge using an array of materials including 3D pens.
Check out the official KEVA website to get a better idea of some of the amazing projects that your students can create as part of this program https://www.kevaplanks.com/
- Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
- Cost: $9.50 per participant
- Minimum Number of Participants: 18
- Maximum Number of Participants: 50-60 (2 classes)
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 5 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program, $9.50.
Snowshoeing
Ages 6 and up
Program Description: Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to keep active during the winter months and has provided an important method of transportation and recreation throughout Canada’s history. Participants will learn the history of snowshoeing, how to care for snowshoes, the importance of dressing for winter weather and basic snowshoeing skills through a variety of activities and games. At the end of the program participants will warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.
- Length: 2 hours
- Cost: $9.50 per participant
- Minimum Number of Participants: 18
- Maximum Number of Participants: *please contact the Museum as participant’s weight, height and shoe size influences this number
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 8 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program of $9.50.
NOTE: A Snowshoeing outreach program is available at an additional cost. Please contact museumeducation@markham.ca for more details on how to bring the snowshoeing experience to your school! Hot chocolate is not available as part of the outreach.
KEVA - Design and Engineering Challenge
Ages 4+
Program Description: Design – Build – Play! Blending science with art, KEVA planks bring out the designer, architect and engineer in each of us! With imagination and just a little help from gravity, students will build structures and sculptures using identical construction planks. Participants will learn the basics of KEVA building, while participating in a series of curriculum based team challenges that will build their skills and put their creativity to the test!
Check out official KEVA website for some of the amazing projects and to get a better idea of what your students can create as part of this program http://www.kevaplanks.com/
- Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
- Cost: $9.50 per participant
- Minimum Number of Participants: 18
- Maximum Number of Participants: 100
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 8 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program of $9.50.
Transportation Exploration featuring Markham Moves
Grade 2 to 6
Program Description: Discover transportation with your class at the Markham Museum through our Markham Moves exhibition. This hands-on exhibition celebrates and explores different modes of transportation and the impact they have on our community. The exhibit provides students with the opportunity to gain an understanding of how the objects and infrastructure we use for transportation have changed and developed over time, and how those changes affect how people in Markham live and organize their lives. Students will gain an understanding of the basic principles of physics, engineering and motion, through a number of hands-on and interactive displays, modules and play-spaces. Through this two hours program classes will explore transportation, physics and motion with hands-on activities and challenges. Groups will spend one hour exploring Markham Moves guided by our staff, and one hour getting hands-on with your choice of activity (see below).
- Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
- Cost: $9.50 per participant
- Minimum Number of Participants: 18
- Maximum Number of Participants: 50-60 (2 classes)
Planes: Soar into the world of planes and air travel with your students. Through hands-on demonstrations, students will discover the forces of motion and how they help airplanes fly. With their new knowledge of forces and Newton’s Three Laws of Motion students will design, create, and test paper airplanes.
Rocket Ships: Blast off with your class as we discover what it really takes to go to the moon! Students will get hands-on as they learn about the parts of a space shuttle and why they are unique to space travel. Using Newton’s Three Laws of Motion, students will design, create and test their own stomp rocket creations.
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 8 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the $9.50 participant fee for this program.
Please contact museumeducation@markham.ca for further information on our Elementary School Programs.
- Summer Fun Programs July and August 2024
A is for Apple
Preschool ages 2-6
Program Description
Discover the wonderful world of apples, from how they grow to the many ways that apples are used now and in our past. Children will visit the Museum’s heritage apple orchard where they will learn about the seasons in the orchard and how apple trees grow. Each group will also participate in their very own ‘Apple Schnitzing Bee’ peeling apples and discovering how important bees are to apple trees and visit a historic home where the children will learn about food preservation of the past. Each child will also create their own apple magnet craft to take home.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon (includes approximately 15 minutes for a snack and bathroom break, snack not provided by Museum)
Cost: $9.50 per participant
Minimum Number of Participants: 18
Maximum Number of Participants: 80
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 5 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program, $9.50.
Summer Fun: Things that Go
Preschool ages 2-6
Program Description
Planes, trains and cars, oh my! Discover the world of transportation at the Markham Museum through our Markham Moves exhibition. This exhibition celebrates and explores different modes of transportation, while providing participants with the basic principles of physics, engineering and motion, through a number of interactive displays, modules and play-spaces. Groups will spend one hour exploring Markham Moves and one hour of guided transportation-themed activities and a craft.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon (includes approximately 15 minutes for a snack and bathroom break, snack not provided by Museum)
Cost: $9.50 per participant
Minimum Number of Participants: 18
Maximum Number of Participants: 60
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 5 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program, $9.50.
Summer Fun: Transportation Exploration featuring Markham Moves
Ages 6-12
Program Description
Discover transportation at Markham Museum through our Markham Moves exhibition. This hands-on exhibition celebrates and explores different modes of transportation and the impact they have on our community. The exhibit provides participants with the opportunity to gain an understanding of how the objects and infrastructure we use for transportation have changed and developed over time. Groups will spend one hour exploring Markham Moves guided by our staff, and one hour getting hands-on with your choice of activity (see below).
Planes: Soar into the world of planes and air travel. Through hands-on demonstrations, participants will discover the forces of motion and how they help airplanes fly. With their new knowledge of forces and Newton’s Three Laws of Motion participants will design, create, and test paper airplanes.
Rocket Ships: Blast off with your group as we discover what it really takes to go to the moon! Participants will get hands-on as they learn about the parts of a space shuttle and why they are unique to space travel. Using Newton’s Three Laws of Motion, participants will design, create and test their own stomp rocket creations.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
Cost: $9.50 per participant
Minimum Number of Participants: 18
Maximum Number of Participants: 60
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 8 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program $9.50.
Summer Fun: Tour and Mini Golf
Ages 6-12
Program Description
Come explore the Markham Museum with this interactive guided tour and mini golf experience! Participants will learn about life and technologies of the past during a guided tour of our heritage buildings on site: The 1910 Print Shop, Wilson Variety Hall, Maxwell Cabin and Blacksmith Shop. After the tour, participants will test their putting skills with a round of mini golf at our 9-hole mini golf course located on our beautiful 25-acre site.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
Cost: $9.50 per participant
Minimum Number of Participants: 18
Maximum Number of Participants: 80
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 8 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program $9.50.
Summer Fun Programs are available to book Tuesdays through Thursdays during July and August 2024. For a full day option please combine any 2 programs for $19. A lunch space will be provided for a full day program for a total length of 4.5 hours.
Please contact museumeducation@markham.ca for further information on our Summer Fun Programs.
- Outreach Programs
KEVA - Engineering and Design Challenge
Program Description: Design – Build – Play! Blending science with art, KEVA planks bring out the designer, architect and engineer in each of us! With imagination and just a little help from gravity, students will build structures and sculptures using identical construction planks. Participants will learn the basics of KEVA building, while participating in a series of curriculum based team challenges that will build their skills and put their creativity to the test!
Check out the official KEVA website for some of the amazing projects and to get a better idea of what your Campers can create as part of this program http://www.kevaplanks.com/
- Location: At your site! We just need a flat surface inside or outside that is big enough for us to create some amazing structures.
- Duration: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
- Ages: 4 and up
- Cost: $9.50 per participant*
- Minimum Number of Participants: 18
- Maximum Number of Participants: 100
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 8 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program of $9.50.
* NOTE: If located outside of Markham, mileage will also be charged on top of per participant fee.
Snowshoeing
Ages 6 and up
Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to keep active during the winter months and has provided an important method of transportation and recreation throughout Canada’s history. Participants will learn the history of snowshoeing, how to care for snowshoes, the importance of dressing for winter weather and basic snowshoeing skills through a variety of activities and games.
- Length: 2 hours
- Cost: $9.50 per participant*
- Minimum Number of Participants:18
- Maximum Number of Participants: Please contact the Museum as participant’s weight, height and shoe size influences this number
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 8 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program of $9.50.
* NOTE: If located outside of Markham, mileage will also be charged on top of per participant fee.
Please contact museumeducation@markham.ca for further information on our Outreach Programs.
- Girl Guide and Scout Programs
Snowshoeing
Ages 6 and up
Program Description: Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to keep active during the winter months and has provided an important method of transportation and recreation throughout Canada’s history. Participants will learn the history of snowshoeing, how to care for snowshoes, the importance of dressing for winter weather and basic snowshoeing skills through a variety of activities and games. At the end of the program participants will warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.
- Length: 2 hours
- Cost: $9.50 per participant
- Minimum Number of Participants: 18
- Maximum Number of Participants: * please contact the Museum as participant’s weight, height and shoe size influences this number
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 8 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program of $9.50.
KEVA - Engineering and Design Challenge
Program Description: Design – Build – Play! Blending science with art, KEVA planks bring out the designer, architect and engineer in each of us! With imagination and just a little help from gravity, students will build structures and sculptures using identical construction planks. Participants will learn the basics of KEVA building, while participating in a series of curriculum based team challenges that will build their skills and put their creativity to the test!
Check out official KEVA website for some of the amazing projects and to get a better idea of what participants can create as part of this program http://www.kevaplanks.com/
- Duration: 2 hours
- Ages: 4 and up
- Cost: $9.50 per participant*
- Minimum Number of Participants: 18
- Maximum Number of Participants: 100
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 8 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for this program of $9.50.
*NOTE: We can bring KEVA to you! Please refer to the Outreach Programs for additional details.
- How to Book a Program
How to Book a Program
- Please contact the Education and Volunteer Administrator at 905-477-7000 extension 3174 to book a Program. Programs should be booked at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability.
- At time of booking you will be asked the following questions:
- Preferred dates and times for programs
- Contact person's full name
- Group name
- Full address including postal code
- Email address
- Estimated number, age and/or grade of participants
- Estimated number of adults that will be attending the program (please refer to adult to child ratios for each program as they differ based on the age of the participants).
- Accessibility
- Upon receiving this information, you will receive written confirmation via email that your program is booked, along with your invoice, confirmation letter and information package. You will be told the price of the booking at the time based on the estimated number of participants and adult supervisors. If your booking is for more than 80 people you will be asked to provide the Museum with a 20% deposit for the program within the next two weeks.
- Full payment for the program is required on the day of the program.
Please contact the Education Administrator at 905-477-7000 extension 3174 or museumeducation@markham.ca to confirm any changes in the number of participants. Adjustments/changes in the number of participants must be made NO LATER THAN 3 business days prior to your visit. Refunds will not be granted for groups with fewer participants than booked. Additional participants will be invoiced on the day of the visit.
Participant Numbers and Adult Supervision
The Museum requires a minimum payment of 18 participants for education programs. Adult to child ratios for each program differ based on the age of children.
Early Learning (Preschool & Kindergarten Programs)
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 5 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for the program.
Elementary School Programs
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 8 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for the program.
Secondary School Programs
Adult Supervision – 1 free adult for every 10 children. All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for the program.
Support Staff
EAs and support staff are excluded from the chaperone ratio and not charged for the program.
Cancellations
The Museum reserves the right to cancel a Program at any time to ensure the safety of participants and the site.