Resources for Teachers

Whether you're on a field trip, in the classroom or online, the Grout Museum District offers several resources that will capture your students' curiosity.

Field Trip

To schedule a field trip from the Teacher's Guide, ask for Anna at 319-234-6357 or contact us online.

Outreach Program

To participate in an outreach program from the Science Outreach Guide, ask for Jason at 319-233-8708 or contact us online.

Request a Guide

Teachers Guide

Everything you need to plan a field trip to the Grout Museum District is inside, including pricing, how to make a reservation, and a list of programs and demonstrations. All of the programs follow the Iowa Core Curriculum guidelines.

• Download a PDF version of the Teacher's Guide.
• Request a Teacher's Guide be mailed to you.

Science Outreach Guide

Many of the Grout Museum District's programs and demonstrations can come to you. Find out what we have to offer, and then let us do all the work — including supplying all the materials and activities.

• Download a pdf version of the Science Outreach Guide.
• Request a guide be mailed to you.

Silos & Smokestacks Bus Grants 2009/2010

Applications for the 2009-2010 Bus Grant Program will be accepted starting August 1, 2009. Grants will be awarded until Dec. 1, 2010 or until funds are depleted. This program is open to schools within SSNHA. This is a grant initiative designed to help schools in the heritage area fund the transportation costs associated with field study trips to designated SSNHA partner sites.

• Visit the Silos & Smokestacks Website

CampSilos Excursions for Students in Grades 4-8

CampSilos Excursions provides a virtual field trip where students explore how the railroad, factory, farm and community grew together to build a powerful and nationally visible agriculture-based economy in Waterloo.

It includes online student activities, as well as pre- and post-field trip lesson plans, that engage students with primary source materials, such as historic photographs, interview recordings, newspaper clippings advertisements, and the Prairie Pathways Transportation Map.

• Visit the CampSilos Excursion Website

Museum School

The Grout Museum District's "Museum School" is an innovative program that invites local third grade students to attend "school" at the Grout Museum District for one week. The program meets many of the Iowa Core Curriculum standards.

During the week, students experience living history presentations by Mary Hanna, one of the first pioneer women to the area; Lillian Russell Lampson from the Victorian era; and Jesse Bess, who helped make positive changes in the early 1900s for the African Americans in the Cedar Valley. Students also practice the footwork involved in Native American dances, sing folk songs, learn about simple machines, discuss the rich history of immigration and migration in the area, and share their research about an artifact during Family Night. The highlight of the week is a guided, horse-drawn trolley ride that tours downtown Waterloo or downtown Cedar Falls, depending on the school district.

STARLAB

As the nights get cooler and the seasons change, you might find it difficult to explore the night sky. Have no fear astronomy enthusiasts, the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium has just the thing for you. The new STARLAB will provide a view of the night sky anytime in almost any indoor location.

The STARLAB is a portable planetarium and an excellent tool for teaching astronomy, earth science and Greek mythology.

The STARLAB can accommodate audiences of 20-30 comfortably. One planetarium show is approximately 30-45 minutes long, plus a question and answer time before and after, so plan the entire program to take an hour. The cost is $125 for one hour of programming and $50 for each additional hour.

Location Requirements:

• Minimum floor space of 25 X 25 feet
• Ceiling height of 11 feet
• No hanging light fixtures

Commonly used locations:

• Gymnasiums
• Cafeterias
• Libraries
• Auditoriums