K - 8th Grade Program Offerings
Looking for an interactive boost to your school’s field trip? Look no further than our wide array of in-museum programs and guided tours! Review the options below and find out which is best for your class.
For more information please contact the Education Department at 563-324-1933 or email
education@putnam.org.
Our thanks to 3M Foundation for supporting programs for schools.
Additional Information for Educators
Ancient Egypt: Isis Neferit
A two-part program! First, a costumed interpreter makes a dramatic presentation on the life of this temple chantress. This peek at life in ancient Egypt also includes a “demonstration” of the mummification process! Then a Museum Educator leads you to the Egyptian Gallery to give detail on some of the most asked about artifacts and will be available to answer student questions.
Grades 3-5
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 60 minutes
Cost: $85
Exhibit Connection: Unearthing Ancient Egypt
Giant Screen 3D Film Connection: Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
Art Station: Titan
Students navigate through the thick, planet-like atmosphere and icy terrain of Saturn’s largest moon in this science-based, art-guided demonstration. Discover a vast network of rivers and oceans while creating a scientific illustration of Titan’s moonscape.
GRADES 5-8
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $65
Exhibit Connection: Science Center
Giant Screen 3D Film Connection: Journey to Space 3D
Circuits
Copper tape, Batteries, and LED’S oh my!! Simplicity is key when it comes to making electricity. Let us help teach your students in an electrifying class all about how simple circuits work. Cost of materials may apply.
GRADES 3-5
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $65
Exhibit Connection: Science Center
Giant Screen 3D Film Connection: Robots
Downloads:
Circuits Pre-Visit Materials
Circuits Post-Visit Materials
Innovations of Engineering
Engineers work together to solve the major challenges of our time and shape the world of today and tomorrow. Introduce your students to the engineering design process using design challenges that promote teamwork, critical thinking, creativity and problem solving. What problems in our world will your students help to solve?
Kindergarten - GRADE 8
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $65
Our Changing Planet
Why does our planet look the way it does? Discover what our Earth looked like millions of years ago and the forces working constantly to change our planet. They are rarely seen or felt but can sometimes make themselves known in explosive ways! In this program learn all about the tectonic plates built into Earth’s crust and how they cause earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes on the surface.
GRADES 3-8
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $65
Exhibit Connection: Weather Gallery
Our Region & the Civil War
Take your class back in time to the years leading up to the Civil War. Students will learn about the Dred Scott Case, the Underground Railroad, Slaves and Soldiers, Training and Prison Camps in Rock Island and Davenport, and how Annie Wittenmyer helped hundreds of local orphans after the war. This program is presented by a costumed educator and includes a large display of authentic artifacts.
GRADES 4-8
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $65
Progress on the Prairie
Journey back 3,000 years to hear about the discovery of corn from its tiny beginnings to today’s 1,000-kernel ears. You will also see a demonstration with a primitive corn farming tool that will help students understand the drastic changes and improvements in farming. From pre-colonial Native American methods to John Deere combines, your students will learn the a-MAIZE-ing connections between modern agriculture and its early roots!
GRADES 3-5
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $65
Science Alive!
Put on your lab coats and break out the safety glasses! Join a Putnam educator in discovering scientific laws and properties through exciting demonstrations. Your students are sure to get a “bang” out of this program! Options include:
• Matter (Grades 1-6): Freezing, melting or sublimation! This program includes demonstrations on states of matter and a hands-on group activity.
• Polymers (Grades 1-8): Explore the stretchy, absorbant world of polymers through demonstrations, hands-on experiments and one brave volunteer.
• Chemistry (3-8): Experiments, from combustion to a variety of chemical reactions, will leave your students begging for more!
• Physics (3-8): Demonstrations and explanations galore! Students will experiment with Bernoulli Blowers, Newton’s Beads and a variety of inertia activities.
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $65
Stranger in a Strange Land
A total immersion experience transports your students to Ellis Island in the early 1900s. Students will be engaged in a role-play interrogation as they attempt to gain entry into the United States. This presentation includes actual stories of immigrants and their journeys to this region. A pre-visit Ship’s Manifest activity enhances your students’ involvement.
GRADES 3-8
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $65
Exhibit Connection: River, Prairie & People
Downloads:
Stranger in a Strange Land Pre- & Post-visit Materials
To the Moon and Beyond
What does it takes to send an astronaut into the vacuum of space? Students will learn about the effects of space on the human body by exploring space suits, nutrition and exercise through demonstrations and hands-on activities. Learn about some helpful inventions that were first developed for NASA’s space program as we go “To the Moon and Beyond!”
GRADES 2-8
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $65
Exhibit Connection: Science Center
Film Connection: Journey to Space 3D
Discovery Dome
An educational "out-of-this-world" experience!
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IMMERSE
Immerse your classroom in a week long visit to the Museum.
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Educator Resource Guide
Learn how your class can visit and experience the Putnam, or how we can bring the Putnam to you!
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