School Programs
A Museum Experience Unlike Any Other!
METC Education programs inspire learners of all ages to ask questions about the world around us. Using the history of the early New Jerseyans as our backdrop, our programs emphasize the intersection of history and cultural heritage in New Jersey and support the NJ State educational curriculum. Each one of our specialized programs incorporates authentic materials and objects. We offer programs for students from Pre-K through 8th Grade and can tailor programs to meet your needs. From the first steps inside our historic building to the active learning sessions to the exciting exhibits, our educational programs encourage imagination, critical thinking, student inquiry and project-based learning while supporting a lifelong love of learning.
Field Trip Options
Preschool
Let’s play! Experience how Early American children played, discover how early toys were made, and learn how “free time” has both changed and stayed the same. In-person field trips include playing with toys from the museum’s Education Collection and painting wooden tops to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Early Americans developed tools to save time and energy using simple machines. Explore the functions of the inclined plane, screw, lever, wedge, wheel & axle, and pulley through close-up examination of the museum’s artifacts. In-person field trips include building and decorating a pinwheel to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Learn about griffins, gargoyles, and other mythological creatures. Hear the legend of St. George & the Dragon and enjoy our Griffin Garden. Role-play the part of the dragon, hear other dragon stories, and make a dragon mask to take home. This program is 1 hour long.
This program is only available on-site at METC.
Kindergarten
Let’s play! Experience how Early American children played, discover how early toys were made, and learn how “free time” has both changed and stayed the same. In-person field trips include playing with toys from the museum’s Education Collection and painting wooden tops to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Early Americans developed tools to save time and energy using simple machines. Explore the functions of the inclined plane, screw, lever, wedge, wheel & axle, and pulley through close-up examination of the museum’s artifacts. In-person field trips include building and decorating a pinwheel to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
1st Grade
Students will use METC’s beautiful building and Education Annex to explore how architecture uses shapes and colors. In-person field trips include taking rubbings of the METC building’s various textures, completing an architecture scavenger hunt, and making a house using tangrams!
This program is only available on-site at METC.
What was it like to be a child living in Early American times in New Jersey? How is it the same and different from how children live today? Students will act out the chores and activities in a day-in-the-life of a child living on an early 1800s farm. In-person field trips include interacting with objects from the museum’s Education Collection and making clay marbles to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Let’s play! Experience how Early American children played, discover how early toys were made, and learn how “free time” has both changed and stayed the same. In-person field trips include playing with toys from the museum’s Education Collection and painting wooden tops to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Early Americans developed tools to save time and energy using simple machines. Explore the functions of the inclined plane, screw, lever, wedge, wheel & axle, and pulley through close-up examination of the museum’s artifacts. In-person field trips include building and decorating a pinwheel to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
2nd Grade
Students will use METC’s beautiful building and Education Annex to explore how architecture uses shapes and colors. Field trips include taking rubbings of the METC building’s various textures, completing an architecture scavenger hunt, and making a house using tangrams!
This program is only available on-site at METC.
What was it like to be a child living in Early American times in New Jersey? How is it the same and different from how children live today? Students will act out the chores and activities in a day-in-the-life of a child living on an early 1800s farm. In-person field trips include interacting with objects from the museum’s Education Collection and making clay marbles to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Students compare 19th century learning and school life with their own 21st century experiences. Using reproductions of 19th century school supplies, students experience what it was like to be a student in a one-room schoolhouse. In-person field trips include hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection, and students get to try their hand at writing a journal entry with quill and dip pens.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Early Americans developed tools to save time and energy using simple machines. Explore the functions of the inclined plane, screw, lever, wedge, wheel & axle, and pulley through close-up examination of the museum’s artifacts. In-person field trips include building and decorating a pinwheel to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
3rd Grade
What was this object used for? What problem did it solve for its user? What does it tell us about life in the past? Students will examine objects from the museum’s collection and have fun trying to figure out which 1800s tradesperson would have used them and how. In-person field trips include hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection and a scavenger hunt through the museum’s exhibits to discover how objects bring the past to life.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Learn about the challenges immigrants encountered in the mid-1800s and the factors that drove so many to make this choice to immigrate to NJ. Students will explore what it meant to travel from far away countries by taking on the roles of real 19th century immigrants and finding objects in the museum that each person might need for their new life in the U.S. In-person field trips feature hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Students compare 19th century learning and school life with their own 21st century experiences. Using reproductions of 19th century school supplies, students experience what it was like to be a student in a one-room schoolhouse. In-person field trips include hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection, and students get to try their hand at writing a journal entry with quill and dip pens.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Become a citizen in an early 19th century community. Who did you depend on and interact with? What was your role in the community? Learn about the blacksmith, the miller, the cabinetmaker, the farmer, and more, while exploring their interconnectivity and interdependence within their communities. In-person field trips include hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection and becoming a Tinsmith’s Apprentice while making a tin-punching craft to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Use METC’s beautiful building to explore how architecture combines form and function in a unique way. Discover different architectural techniques and terms, then design a faux stained-glass window inspired by the ones in our building. “Take home” parts of the METC building by creating rubbings from the building itself.
This program is only available on-site at METC.
4th Grade
Explore the impact of the American Revolution on New Jersey civilians with varied perspectives on the conflict, including those of iron workers, students, housewives, farmers, and more. In-person programs include a scavenger hunt within our museum exhibits and hands-on interaction with our Education Collection. It also includes completing a journal writing activity with a quill pen and ink.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
What was this object used for? What problem did it solve for its user? What does it tell us about life in the past? Students will examine objects from the museum’s collection and have fun trying to figure out which 1800s tradesperson would have used them and how. In-person field trips include hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection and a scavenger hunt through the museum’s exhibits to discover how objects bring the past to life.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Learn about the challenges immigrants encountered in the mid-1800s and the factors that drove so many to make this choice to immigrate to NJ. Students will explore what it meant to travel from far away countries by taking on the roles of real 19th century immigrants and finding objects in the museum that each person might need for their new life in the U.S. In-person field trips feature hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Become a citizen in an early 19th century community. Who did you depend on and interact with? What was your role in the community? Learn about the blacksmith, the miller, the cabinetmaker, the farmer, and more, while exploring their interconnectivity and interdependence within their communities. In-person field trips include hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection and becoming a Tinsmith’s Apprentice while making a tin-punching craft to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Use METC’s beautiful building to explore how architecture combines form and function in a unique way. Discover different architectural techniques and terms, then design a faux stained-glass window inspired by the ones in our building. “Take home” parts of the METC building by creating rubbings from the building itself.
This program is only available on-site at METC.
5th Grade
Explore the impact of the American Revolution on New Jersey civilians with varied perspectives on the conflict, including those of iron workers, students, housewives, farmers, and more. In-person programs include a scavenger hunt within our museum exhibits and hands-on interaction with our Education Collection. It also includes completing a journal writing activity with a quill pen and ink.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
What was this object used for? What problem did it solve for its user? What does it tell us about life in the past? Students will examine objects from the museum’s collection and have fun trying to figure out which 1800s tradesperson would have used them and how. In-person field trips include hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection and a scavenger hunt through the museum’s exhibits to discover how objects bring the past to life.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Learn about the challenges immigrants encountered in the mid-1800s and the factors that drove so many to make this choice to immigrate to NJ. Students will explore what it meant to travel from far away countries by taking on the roles of real 19th century immigrants and finding objects in the museum that each person might need for their new life in the U.S. In-person field trips feature hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Become a citizen in an early 19th century community. Who did you depend on and interact with? What was your role in the community? Learn about the blacksmith, the miller, the cabinetmaker, the farmer, and more, while exploring their interconnectivity and interdependence within their communities. In-person field trips include hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection and becoming a Tinsmith’s Apprentice while making a tin-punching craft to take home.
This program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school
Use METC’s beautiful building to explore how architecture combines form and function in a unique way. Discover different architectural techniques and terms, then design a faux stained-glass window inspired by the ones in our building. “Take home” parts of the METC building by creating rubbings from the building itself.
This program is only available on-site at METC.
6th Grade
Explore the impact of the American Revolution on New Jersey civilians with varied perspectives on the conflict, including those of iron workers, students, housewives, farmers, and more. In-person programs include a scavenger hunt within our museum exhibits and hands-on interaction with our Education Collection. It also includes completing a journal writing activity with a quill pen and ink.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
What was this object used for? What problem did it solve for its user? What does it tell us about life in the past? Students will be divided into groups, presented with a group of four artifacts, and then have fun trying to figure out which 1800s tradesperson would have used them and how. In-person field trips include hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection and a scavenger hunt through the museum’s exhibits to discover how objects bring the past to life for historians and students.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Use METC’s beautiful building to explore how Richardsonian Romanesque architecture combines form and function in a unique way. Discover the differences between structural, decorative, and functional architectural elements, then recreate a craft version of your favorite one of the METC’s stained glass windows. This program includes “taking home” parts of the METC building by creating rubbings from the building itself.
This program is only available on-site at METC.
7th Grade
Explore the impact of the American Revolution on New Jersey civilians with varied perspectives on the conflict, including those of iron workers, students, housewives, farmers, and more. In-person programs include a scavenger hunt within our museum exhibits and hands-on interaction with our Education Collection. It also includes completing a journal writing activity with a quill pen and ink.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
What was this object used for? What problem did it solve for its user? What does it tell us about life in the past? Students will be divided into groups, presented with a group of four artifacts, and then have fun trying to figure out which 1800s tradesperson would have used them and how. In-person field trips include hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection and a scavenger hunt through the museum’s exhibits to discover how objects bring the past to life for historians and students.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Use METC’s beautiful building to explore how Richardsonian Romanesque architecture combines form and function in a unique way. Discover the differences between structural, decorative, and functional architectural elements, then recreate a craft version of your favorite one of the METC’s stained glass windows. This program includes “taking home” parts of the METC building by creating rubbings from the building itself.
This program is only available on-site at METC.
8th Grade
Explore the impact of the American Revolution on New Jersey civilians with varied perspectives on the conflict, including those of iron workers, students, housewives, farmers, and more. In-person programs include a scavenger hunt within our museum exhibits and hands-on interaction with our Education Collection. It also includes completing a journal writing activity with a quill pen and ink.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
What was this object used for? What problem did it solve for its user? What does it tell us about life in the past? Students will be divided into groups, presented with a group of four artifacts, and then have fun trying to figure out which 1800s tradesperson would have used them and how. In-person field trips include hands-on examination of objects from the museum’s Education Collection and a scavenger hunt through the museum’s exhibits to discover how objects bring the past to life for historians and students.
A modified version of this program is also available as an outreach where our educators make a classroom visit to your school.
Use METC’s beautiful building to explore how Richardsonian Romanesque architecture combines form and function in a unique way. Discover the differences between structural, decorative, and functional architectural elements, then recreate a craft version of your favorite one of the METC’s stained glass windows. This program includes “taking home” parts of the METC building by creating rubbings from the building itself.
This program is only available on-site at METC.
Field Trip FAQs
Please complete the online form and a member of our Education Department will be in touch.
Field trips located at METC use both the Education Annex as well as the exhibits located in the main museum building. Moving between these locations entails crossing the street. Most programs are designed to last 1.5 hours and we can accommodate booking two programs on the same day. We can also add time for lunch and visiting the museum store.
In person field trips at METC cost $10 per student per program, with a minimum charge of $100. Most of our programs include a take home craft, and depending on your schedule, up to two programs can be booked for each trip.
Field trips can be scheduled Tuesday through Friday, 10AM – 4PM.
Due to our unique historical location, we do have a capacity of 55 students. For groups larger than this, we can break your group up into multiple visits.
An indoor space may be available for your students to eat lunch, and arrangements must be made in advance. There is a $25 facilities fee to use the Annex for lunch.
One adult for every 10 children is recommended. Classroom teachers and chaperones must remain with their students during the program.
The Museum building is accessible in compliance with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A ground-level entrance with an elevator allows barrier-free access to all public levels of the museum building. The Education Annex has limited accessibility – please discuss accessibility needs when you book your trip.
Yes, each program meets grade-specific standards. These are listed in the Standards and Objectives guide listed under each program.
Yes, you can find our prepared pre and post-visit materials in the Additional Activities guide listed under each program.
Yes, METC offers both Outreach and Virtual programs for schools unable to attend in person. Outreach programs last about 1.5 hours, generally include a craft, and have a base cost of $250 plus travel expenses. Virtual programs last about an hour and have a base cost of $100. We can also provide a craft add-on for an additional cost.
METC strives to make its education programs accessible to all and we have limited access to scholarship funding for schools and other educational organizations. If program fees or transportation restrictions are what’s preventing you from scheduling a field trip, please complete this form to let us know about your needs and we will review and respond.
Our Education Department can suggest which craft programs might be good for your group. Supplies sent to you as part of a Craft Add-on are yours to keep. METC does not provide basic supplies such as markers, glue sticks, and scissors. Your students will each get a physical take away to complement their learning experience. Supplies for optional craft add-ons can either be shipped to a single location for an additional shipping fee or may be picked up at the museum. Any program that includes supplies must be booked at least 6 weeks in advance.
