School Programs | Peterborough Museum & Archives

Discover, imagine and connect with the past through our interactive, curriculum- connected programs. Designed for Kindergarten to Secondary School, each 2-hour program combines inquiry, creativity, and hands-on learning.

Programs at a Glance

Length: 2 hours
Start times: Morning or afternoon; earliest start 9:30 a.m.
Supervisors: No charge for teachers or adult volunteers
Subsidies: Available for City of Peterborough schools (ask when booking); please note there is no remaining subsidy for 2026 bookings.
Fees (Permanent Programs)
- $8 per student / $80 minimum per group
- $190 minimum per group
- (Featured Exhibition Program pricing listed below in program descriptions)
Cancellation Policy: 48 hours’ notice required to avoid full fee (exceptions apply on bus cancellation days).

Ready to book?

Contact our Education and Program Officer at fstanley@peterborough.ca

In your email, please include:

Preferred month or specific date options
Preferred start time (morning or afternoon)
Program(s) you wish to book
Grade level(s)
Number of students
Name of school

Permanant Programs by Grade

The following programs are available for booking any time during the school year. Each program has curriculum tie-ins to Social Studies and cross-curricular connections include Science and Technology, Language and Mathematics.

Playtimes Past – Explore the simple pleasures of traditional toys and games. Discover play in Indigenous and early settler life. (Permanent exhibit)

Playtimes Past (Grade 1) - explore the simple pleasures of traditional toys and games. Discover play in Indigenous and early settler life.

Jump into Geometry (Grade 1- 2) – Let's do some math as the museum! Through our quilt collection, students will become detectives as they search for a variety of shapes and patterns. The program concluded with four hands-on math centers.

Simple Machines (Grade 2) – What is it? How does it work? Through a variety of hands on-learning activities, students will decode the ways in which wheels, pulleys, levers, and screws combine to make work easier.

Early Settlement (Grade 3 - 4) – Travel through time to discover the history of Peterborough/Nogojiwanong. Students learn about the First Nations who have long called this land home, sail aboard the immigrant ship John Barry, and step into the shoes of Peter Robinson settlers through hands-on activity centers exploring early settler life.

Anishinaabe Storytelling and Teachings (Grades 3-4-5) – Discover Anishinaabe teachings as we explore the rich tradition of storytelling! In this interactive program, students will engage in role play to learn and retell a story, sharing it with their peers. Together, we will reflect on the meaningful teachings each story holds about life, nature, and community.

Anishinaabe Storytelling and Teachings (Grades 3-4-5) – Discover Anishinaabe teachings as we explore the rich tradition of storytelling! In this interactive program, students will engage in role play to learn and retell a story, sharing it with their peers. Together, we will reflect on the meaningful teachings each story holds about life, nature, and community.

Literacy at the Museum (Grades 4-5-6) – If an artifact could speak, what would it say? Students will learn how to "read" an artifact and use their imaginations to tell its story.

Archaeology (Grades 4-5-6) – Students experience the excitement of a real dig as they uncover artifacts and discover stories from the past.

History Mystery (Grades 5–6) – The adventure begins with a map to your very own treasure check! Students use primary source documents such as photographs, letters and artifacts to investigate and tell the stories of Peterborough's heritage.

Immigration Stories (Grade 6) – The story begins in the Museum's permeant exhibitions with indigenous migrations, Treaty 20, and the arrival of the region's earliest European settlers. Students then discover the personal stories of the 1825 Peter Robinson immigrants from Ireland through role play and archival documents.

PMA Collection: Interpreting Artifacts and Photographs

Designed specifically for intermediate & high school students, this hands-on program offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with items from the Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) collection. Participants will delve into the roles of curators and archivists, learning how to analyze and interpret artifacts and photographs like museum professionals. Through interactive activities, students will develop critical thinking skills, uncovering the stories behind each item and understanding their significance in Peterborough's heritage.

Frequently asked questions

See below for the most frequently asked questions regarding field trips.

Can two classes attend the same program together?

Unfortunately, no. Our programs can only accommodate one class at a time.

However, if you are wishing to visit with another class please see options below:

1. One class could complete an education program that takes place in the exhibit while the second class completes a program that takes place in the classroom.

2. One class could visit in the morning while the second class visits in the afternoon.

3. Plan a full day visit by selection two programs! For this option, class one would complete a program in the exhibit while class two completes a program in the classroom. Both classes would eat lunch together, and then do the opposite program in the afternoon. Total time needed for this option is 5 hours.

If interested in one of the above, please let the Education & Program officer know at time of booking.

Can we use the heritage pavilion?

If available, yes.

Please let us know at time of booking that you would like to use the pavilion, and we will book the space on your behalf. Fees may apply.

Do you have a water fountain?

No. However, we do have a water cooler available for students to refill their water bottles.

How many parent volunteers are required? Is there a maximum?

We do not require a specific number of parent volunteers and there is no maximum for how many adults can join the field trip. The more the merrier!

Do you need to bring indoor shoes?

In the winter, indoor shoes are great to bring. However, do not fret if they are forgotten.

Can we have a snack break?

Of course! Simply let us know at time of booking and we will schedule a snack break into the program.

Online resources

Flash Cards - Anishinaabemowin

Use these flash cards to learn Anishinaabemowin words, their English translations, and how to pronounce them. All flash cards include images or photographs, and all terms are related to the "To Honour and Respect" exhibition.

Flash Cards - Phrases for Thanksgiving

To Honour and Respect Education Resources: Compiled by Anishinaabemowin language teacher Jonathan Taylor, these flashcards will translate phrases into English, with pronunciation guides.

Children walking into museum along a walkway with snow covered lawn

Class museum

Together your class will choose a museum theme & go through the step-by-step process of creating their own mini exhibits! This fun project, is suitable for Grades 3-8 and is customizable to suit your learning goals. The program can be taught virtually or in-person, and includes videos to introduce each activity and corresponding PDF work sheets to guide student learning. Access the program by hitting the button below and we will send the materials right to your inbox.

Photo waiver

In the course of all program activities, photos will be taken and audio and/or visual recordings may be made. We reserve the right to use all photographs and videos of our programs, participants, special events and facilities for promotional purposes. Children's names are not used. Please advise the Instructor of any children whose parents have indicated that they are not have their picture taken.