Port Huron Museum Programs

Log Cabin Pioneer Days (Available in the Classroom our at the Carnegie Museum)
In this 1850’s authentic German log home, students learn what life was like for Michigan’s pioneers. They make soup over an open fire, bake cornbread and churn butter, dip candles, create a tin-punch craft, and make journal entries with a feather pen. If time allows, a short tour of the Carnegie Museum can be arranged to complete your day at the cabin. Come dressed to impress in period clothing (if you would like).

Michigan Heritage Days (Available in the Classroom our at the Carnegie Museum)

Students explore Michigan’s heritage with hands-on projects about local industries. They will participate in an assembly-line to produce a model car constructed out of macaroni, make paper from pulp, practice the method settlers used for rope-making, experience a Trading Post and design log marks from logging camps.

Registration: Pioneer Days and Michigan Heritage Days run a total of 4 hours, 9:30am- 1:30pm, which includes an hour for lunch. This is a very popular program and fills up fast, so we recommend that you register as early as possible. Please contact (810) 982-0891 ext. 116 to schedule a date and to get the current cost of this program.

Thomas Edison Depot Programs

Thomas Edison did his early inventing while working on the train between Port Huron and Detroit. The railcar at the Depot Museum has been transformed into the Wizards Workshop, a hands-on activity center for young inventors. It has four interactive science and technology programs including communication, electricity, energy and magnetism. Bring your school class, church or community group to these workshops for an exclusive opportunity your kids will enjoy. We anticipate a busy season so please contact (810) 982-0891, ext. 116 to schedule a date and to get the current cost of the programs.

Electricity
Discover the mystery behind electricity as you create your own simple circuit. You’ll be shocked at what you can learn about static electricity, conductors and circuits. This 3 hour program takes you through the difference between static electricity and current electricity. Enjoy a hair rising demonstration and try your hand at turning on a light bulb with only a battery and a wire.

Magnetism
Investigate the mysterious world of magnets by learning the basic properties of magnetism. Through research and experiment, explore what materials are attracted to magnets, concepts of attraction and repulsion, and learn about magnetic fields. During this 2 hour program, students will discover the “hidden attraction” of science and learning!

Fort Gratiot Light Station Programs

The Education Center in the Fog Signal building on the Fort Gratiot campus is a perfect location to teach students about weather and waves, the magic of light, and the history of our lighthouse. Bring your school class, scout troop, church, or community group to one of these workshops for an exclusive opportunity to explore these sciences. The following programs can also be adapted for other age levels. We anticipate a busy season so please contact (810) 982-0891, ext. 118 to schedule a date and to get the current cost of the programs.

Keeper’s Camp
(Grade Level: 3rd-4th)
Beginning with the lighting of the Fort Gratiot Light in 1825 and continuing until 1983, when the last manually operated lighthouse in Michigan was automated, lighthouse keepers kept the lights lit every night. A keeper’s life was hard and unique with daily chores that would take up most of their day and all of their night. Take a step back in time to learn about the life of a lighthouse keeper and their family. See up close some lighthouse keepers’ tricks of the trade and take a stab at some of their daily chores.

Weather and Waves
(Grade Level: 7th)
There are many different kinds of waves.  Sound waves, light waves, X-rays, microwaves and ocean waves are but a few examples of different types. All waves, however, share certain basic characteristics. Participate in experiments to help understand the basic principles of waves, then find out more about the 40 foot waves that battered our lighthouse during the Storm of 1913. This powerful storm devastated the Great Lakes area over a century ago and impacted our entire area.
(Program can be presented in your classroom.)

Science of the Light
(Grade Level: 3^rd)
Starting with a simply lit fire in a small stone hut, lighthouses have been around for hundreds of years to help guide sea captains away from shorelines and dangerous areas. From wax lit lamps to tallow (animal fat) and coal powered lights, to the practical prisms of the Fresnel (pronounced “fra-nell”) lens which we still use today. In this program, we will discover the history and the science behind these mysterious flashing lights in the night.

Contact our Visitor Services Coordinator to schedule your program today.  (810) 982-0891 ext. 116.