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Our Educational
Goals: In 1916, the National Park Service was created to conserve and
protect our nation's natural and cultural heritage. Our National Parks serve as unique "classrooms" to explore the rich lessons of our country's past. Steamtown National Historic Site provides students an excellent opportunity to discover the history and impact of steam railroading in America. The former Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western Railroad yards are a perfect setting to explore the themes of transportation,
technology, social and industrial history, economics, immigration and American culture.
Our Program Offerings: Steamtown NHS offers curriculum-based interpretive programs at
the Park, and these programs are offered year-round. A maximum of one chaperone per eight students is allowed. Additional chaperones are charged the regular
Museum Fees. The following programs are offered at Steamtown National Historic Site: Program
Description
Historic
steam locomotives no longer cross the United States as they did years ago,
but the vintage railroading industry and its modern counterpart are
alive and well today. Positions dealing with the restoration and
management of these locomotives, as well as modern ones, exist worldwide.
Opportunities to learn about them, however, do not. In recognition of
this, Steamtown National Historic Site, the
National Railway Historical Society (NRHS)
and the Canadian
Pacific Railway partner for our 5th year to offer this unique hands-on opportunity
to learn about the many career opportunities that
exist with railroads today. For information and application, please
contact the NRHS directly by clicking here to e-mail the
NRHS now! All educational groups must make reservations at least two weeks in advance
of the planned visit by calling
(570) 340-5204 weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Because our programs have proven
to be very popular, we have had to limit the times and number of groups per day.
Groups must plan to arrive either between 9:30 - 9:45 a.m. or between 12:00 - 1:45 p.m.
No more than two groups will be scheduled at any one time.
In order to provide a quality educational opportunity for your students, we recommend small groups -- 20
- 40 students per program. While we understand that these group
limitations are not always possible, we strongly recommend them. These programs are recommended for the age groups listed. If you would like a different program about a specific subject, please talk with us about it.
If we can
accommodate you, we will. However, you will need to allow us the extra time to prepare
any requested special program. Our staff is ready and willing to help plan your visit to maximize the benefit for you and your students.
Many of these programs can also be presented at your school, within a limited
geographic area, as either a pre-visit or post-visit program. Restrooms and water fountains are available. Outdoor picnic tables are available seasonally for lunch.
There are no indoor lunch facilities available at the Park, and no food, beverages, candy or chewing gum are permitted inside any building, including the Visitor Center, Turntable
Plaza and/or the Museum Shop/Oil House areas at Steamtown. There is a shopping mall
located nearby (a short walk, about a ¼ mile away) from the Park which has a Food Court. Keep in mind that taking even a small group to the
Food Court at the Mall at Steamtown requires about 1 to 1½ hours. Teachers and chaperones are responsible for the conduct of the children at all
times. There must be at least one educator or chaperone for every
8 students.
(Additional adult chaperones are always welcome, but regular Museum Fee
admissions apply.) All artifacts at Steamtown
NHS are protected by the Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA). Please help us to preserve this resource for future generations by not
removing any items from the Park.
Pre-K thru Grade
2
Railroad Discovery
30 minutesThe history of steam railroading, told at Steamtown National Historic Site, is a
story for all ages. This program, geared
to preschool through 2nd grade,
explores the sights, sounds, smells and
people of historic steam railroading.
Using stories, historic cars and
locomotives, children are
introduced to the glorious history of the
people and machines that created the
America we know today.
Working on the Railroad
30 - 45 minutesDuring the 1920s, American railroads
employed more than two million people.
They built and maintained locomotives
and cars, built the track, sold the tickets,
loaded and unloaded the freight, and ran
the trains. Chances are, most children in
your class have an ancestor or relative
who worked on the railroad somewhere
in the world. This program, aiming at
preschool through 2nd grade, focuses on
the people who kept the railroads
running. Using demonstrations, historic
artifacts, and/or role-playing, students
are introduced to their own history.
Grades 3 - 6
Railroad Music
and Folklore
45-60 minutesCasey Jones and John Henry still
capture our imagination. They are
historic people who made the jump from
news to folklore. Others, just as heroic,
did not make that transition: the heroes
of the Hinkley, Minnesota fire, and Kate
Shelley. This program, designed to
satisfy Pennsylvania 4th grade
requirements, explores the intimate
relationship between news stories,
folklore, songs and the American
railroad.
Railroads in the Local Community
45 - 60 minutesThe Lackawanna and Wyoming Valleys
of Pennsylvania -- the cities of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Carbondale
-- and the surrounding communities of
Northeastern Pennsylvania, owe their
existence to coal, iron, silk and railroads.
This program, designed to satisfy 4th
grade state curriculum requirements,
covers the history of Northeastern
Pennsylvania from the earliest settlers
through the heyday of steam railroading
and the anthracite mines to today.
Children are encouraged, through
role-playing and/or period artifacts, to
explore their own family history.
Grades 7 - 12
Locomotive Technology
45 - 60 minutesSteam locomotives are made up of
gears, boilers, pistons, compressors and
other technological devices. Students
will learn the story of how the steam
locomotive evolved and the physics of
how it operates.
Strikes, Blacklists and Revolution
45 - 60 minutesRailroading, mining and industry in
America was the crucible in which early
labor unions were forged. The causes
and effects of the labor unrest which
created the nation we know today are
explored. Special attention is given to
the strikes of the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, including the anthracite strike
of 1902.
Steel Highway
45 - 60 minutesThe story of railroading is the story of
America. Through the use of museum
exhibits and various activities, students
will explore the social history and
influence of railroading in American
history and how the lives of individuals
were changed.
Other
Programs:
"America's Legacy"
45 minutes
Audience: AllIn 1872, America set aside Yellowstone
National Park, and became the first
nation to set aside land for the "benefit of
all the people." This program is designed
to educate students about the continuing
legacy of protecting and preserving the
resources of America's National Parks.
RAILCAMP
2003
Audience: Grades 9 - 12
150 South Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503-2018
(570) 340-5200 - (888) 693-9391
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA: Click here to learn about the NEPC - BSA Heritage Trail Program!
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