Museum Hours
Tue-Sat 9am to 5pm

Museum Phone

319-234-6357

Location
Get directions

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.

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.

Silos & Smokestacks Bus Grants 2012/2013

Applications for the 2012-2013 Bus Grant Program will be accepted starting August 1, 2012. Grants will be awarded until Dec. 1, 2013 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.

CampSilos Excurions for Students in Grades 4-8

CampSilos Excurions 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.

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 trolley ride that tours downtown Waterloo or downtown Cedar Falls, depending on the school district.

STARLAB

As the 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 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 25-35 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 $150 for one hour of programming and $60 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
  • Happening Now
  • Coming
  • News
Privy to the Past: Collectors Showcase of Waterloo Bottles
As the saying goes "one man's garbage is another man's treasure." The Grout Muse ... Learn More
Yours Ever, Your Own: Tales of Love from the Civil War
"It does me so much good to get long letters from you. Don't think I get tired, ... Learn More
Saturday Morning Science Club: Club Fetch!
Are you looking for a fun and exciting way to spend a Saturday morning? Join Clu ... Learn More
Girl Scout Fun Day: "Exciting Your Brain STEM"
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) go hand-in-hand in the real worl ... Learn More
From McElroy Auditorium to Young Arena: The Golden Era of the Black Hawks
Visit the Grout Museum, during the 2011-2012 Golden Anniversary season of the Bl ... Learn More
Annual Cabin Fever Quilt Retreat 2012
Schedule:

Friday, February 3, 2012

-9:00am - 12: ... Learn More
Honor Your Veteran
Bring the family to the Sullivan Brother's Iowa Veteran's Musuem and watch your ... Learn More
Covered By Glory: Civil War Commemorative Quilts
During the Civil War many women turned to needlework to fill the long lonesome h ... Learn More
See Full Calendar
World's Greatest Spring Break for Kids
Participating attractions:
- Black Hawk Children's Theatre
- Bluedorn ... Learn More
Saturday Matinees: Windtalkers
During WWII a Navajo language was used for encoding top-secret messages, which p ... Learn More
Girl Scout Fun Day: "Exciting Your Brain STEM"
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) go hand-in-hand in the real worl ... Learn More
Girl Scout Fun Day" "Celebrating Earth Day"
It's your planet, so visit the Imaginarium & help to celebrate Earth's special d ... Learn More
Homeschool Workshop: "Victorian Easter"
Did Victorian children celebrate Easter differently then we do today? Learn how ... Learn More
Homeschool Workshop: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
It's opening day for baseball! Learn the history of this sport, do some fun acti ... Learn More
Super Science Day: "National Engineering Week Challenge"
Challenge your design and engineering skills at the Imaginarium! Explore the eng ... Learn More
Super Science Day: "Into The Blue"
Cross into the blue and discover the wonders of flight at the Imaginarium! Exami ... Learn More
Super Science Day: "Celebrating Earth Day"
It's your planet, so visit the Imaginarium & help to celebrate Earth's special d ... Learn More
Glory Film Showing
"Glory" is a dramatic account of the American Civil War's first all-black regime ... Learn More
Weekly Wonders: Civil War Quilt Activities
During this week, a variety of activities for children will be available to help ... Learn More
Weekly Wonders "Victorian Clothing"
During this Weekly Wonders activity guests will learn more about the clothing of ... Learn More
BESA: Albanian Muslims Who Saved Jews During World War II, Photographs by Norman Gershman
In 2003, Norman Gershman, renowned photographer, embarked on a project to find a ... Learn More
Star Party
The bright winter constellations Orion (the Hunter) and Canis Major (the Great D ... Learn More
Star Party-May
This will be our last chance to observe brilliant Venus. It will be starting to ... Learn More
Weekly Wonders "Our Amazing (And Gross!) Body"
Join us during Weekly Wonders at the Imaginarium to discover just how amazing (a ... Learn More
Star Party-June
This will be our only chance to see fast-moving Mercury this summer. It will be ... Learn More
Weekly Wonders "Fourth of July and the US Flag"
When was the 4th of July officially made a U.S. Holiday? What was the population ... Learn More
Star Party-July
The Moon will be above Antares, the bright reddish heart of Scorpius (the Scorpi ... Learn More
Star Party-August
We will take our last look at the ringed planet Saturn, reddish Mars, and Spica, ... Learn More
Star Party-September
On this the day of the autumnal equinox, the constellations of autumn will be we ... Learn More
Summer Day Camp-Building a Log Cabin
Did you know that there was a difference between a log cabin and a log house? Ha ... Learn More
Transit of Venus Across the Sun
The Black Hawk Astronomy Club and the Grout Museum will host an opportunity for ... Learn More
Day Camp- Re-enacting Russell-Lamson History
Who were the Russells and the Lamsons who lived in the big house on the hill? J ... Learn More
Civil War Lecture Series Flags of the 2nd Iowa Infantry
Ken Lyftogt's talk entitled "Flag of the 2nd Iowa Infantry: the Story of Fort Do ... Learn More
2012 National History Day Regional Contest
Call for Judges

Do you love history?

Do you enjoy working with ... Learn More
High Altitude Ballooning Workshop
* Start time is 9:00 a.m. on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. pm Sunday.

Are you ... Learn More
Civil War Lecture Series-Iowa Regiments at Shiloh
Dr. Robert Neymeyer will speak on "Iowa Regiments at Shiloh." Iowa had 11 regime ... Learn More
Civil War Lecture Series-Iowa Troops in Dakota Territory
Dr. Terrance Lindell will talk on the Iowa Troops in Dakota Territory during the ... Learn More
Weekly Wonder "Flag Day"
Did you know that June 14 is flag day? Have you ever wondered about the history ... Learn More
Summer Day Camp: Science of Zoom!
Race into some fast paced fun this summer during the Science of Zoom Day Camp at ... Learn More
Civil War Lecture Series-Civil War Love Letters
During the Civil War, letters kept relationships alive during years of separatio ... Learn More
Weekly Wonders "Civil War Days"
What was it like to grow up during the Civil War? Come to the Rensselaer Russell ... Learn More
Rocket Camp 2012
Get ready for some high-flying summer fun at the Imaginarium's Rocket Camp 2012! ... Learn More
Weekly Wonders "Physics Olympics"
Start off the Summer Olympics early by challenging yourself to a few Olympic com ... Learn More
Weekly Wonders: American Indian Code Talkers
The Navajo and other American Indian tribal members were chosen to be Code Talke ... Learn More
Weekly Wonders: Great Scientists Throughout History
Come discover the greatest scientist throughout history and their potentially ca ... Learn More
Science On Ice!
Join us as we transform Young Arena into Iowa's largest Classroom. Come out to f ... Learn More
Victorian Easter Activities
Join the museum for a morning of crafts and fun. Learn how Victorian's would dec ... Learn More
Teddy Bear or Dolly and Me Tea
Bring your favorite stuffed animal or dolly and join us for tea. Participants wi ... Learn More
Bring your Mom to Tea
Celebrate Mother's Day by bringing your mother to a Victorian tea. The tea will ... Learn More
Saturday Matinee: "A Day In October"
"A Day In October", based on fact, is about the movement of Danish Jews out of D ... Learn More
Sharing the Farm Story
The family farm has been at the core of Iowa history since the state was opened ... Learn More
When Victoria Still Had A Secret
Victorian women wore many layers of clothing. During this summer exhibit at the ... Learn More
The Danish Solution Documentary
"The Danish Solution" (Dir. Karen Cantor and Camilla Kj₩ruleff, 2033) details th ... Learn More
See Full Calendar
11/15/2011 USO-Styled Show Planned At Veterans Museum
By PAT KINNEY, pat.kinney@wcfcourier.com Learn More
11/15/2011 VOICES OF VETERANS
Grout Museum's new traveling exhibit features interviews with Iowans Learn More
01/23/2012 'Covered in glory': Commemorative, antique Civil War quilts featured in new Grout Museum exhibit
By MELODY PARKER, melody.parker@wcfcourier.com Learn More