Mobile Museum in the Classroom
Mobile Museum in the Classroom brings local heritage to life through hands-on discovery-based programs for the students of Washington County. These programs are tailored to the standards and benchmarks of the Oregon Educational Curriculum guidelines. Mobile Museum presentations reach thousands of students each year with this outreach program and continually receive wonderful and positive feedback. Our professional educators travel to classrooms throughout Washington County with historic artifacts and replicas and present on seven prominent local history topics. Reaching youth and relating local history to your educational curriculum is our primary mission.
Mobile Museum offers 7 themed programs from which teachers can choose:
Atfalati Kalapuya: First People of Washington County
Contact the Museum (503) 645-5353This presentation explores the lives of the indigenous people of the Tualatin Valley, the Atfalati branch of the Kalapuya tribe. Students will learn how the Atfalati dressed, and some of the resourceful and ingenious technologies they developed from stone, bone, and local plants. In addition to carefully examining and touching furs, stone tools, and other artifacts, students rotate through stations where they practice Native American skills such as grind- ing seeds and preparing arrow shafts.
Chinook: Master Traders of the Northwest
Contact the Museum (503) 645-5353The "Wapato Lowlands" - the region on the lower Columbia River with Sauvie Island at its heart - was once one of the richest, most densely settled areas north of Mexico. This program will explore the way of life of the people known as the Chinook, the master traders of the Pacific Northwest, and their role in the exchange of goods and culture in the region.
Mountain Men, Trappers, & Traders
Mike Janik (503-472-7646, mjanik@verizon.net)In full mountain man regalia, our presenter describes the earliest days of the Oregon Territory and how men and women survived using their wits and weapons. Dozens of objects for close examination include projectile points, clothing, beading, furs, trade goods, tools, trapping, hunting and camp accessories and pictures of weapons. Students participate in short hands-on activities. No actual weapons are used.
On the Oregon Trail
Rachel Foxman (503-240-1780, foxling@teleport.com)Students hear excerpts from a fictional pioneer woman’s diary, as she and her family travel in a wagon train to Oregon in 1854. Discussion includes how people prepared for the journey, what items went with the pioneers and what they had to leave behind. A collection of artifacts help to illustrate life on the trail and the daily perils these people faced.
Pioneer Life
Rachel Foxman (503-240-1780, foxling@teleport.com)Journey with us as we revisit the lives of pioneer settlers in the Tualatin Valley. The History Mystery game engages students in exploring specific artifacts and learning about how they were used by pioneer children and their families. Historic items are brought to life with amusing and interesting anecdotes that illustrate the pioneers’ way of life.
School Days
Rachel Foxman (503-240-1780, foxling@teleport.com)Students are invited into the world of the pioneer classroom, circa 1880, where they meet their teacher (re-enactor in costume) and hear the rules of conduct for the session. The teacher then engages the pupils in brief participatory lessons in history, spelling, elocution and mental math, in the style as they were taught over 100 years ago. The presentation concludes with several hands on activities.
Lewis and Clark: The Science of Discovery
Rachel Foxman (503-240-1780, foxling@teleport.com)When Lewis and Clark pushed their boats into the Missouri River in May of 1804, they changed history forever. The Corps of Discovery was assembled to mount an expedition for science but there were no scientists on the roster! We will discuss reasons for this and the contributions made to science by this unlikely but innovative group. An examination methods and tools of discovery then and now will bring home the phenomenal nature of their achievements. Students will also become acquainted with some of the Native tribes who helped the expedition and the landscapes they called home. Artifacts, specimens, and short activities provide a hands-on experience.
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Bringing a kit of artifacts from the museum's educational collection (or faithful replicas), museum educators demonstrate how the objects were used and explain them in the context of the lives of the people who used them. Each presentation takes one hour and is offered to oneclass at a time. Presentation cost is $50 per classroom session. Discuss specific needs and book your presentation directly with the educators.
Click here to download a brochure. (Download Adobe PDF Reader)
Age Groups
Presentations are suggested for the following grade levels based on content and Oregon Educational Curriculum standards and benchmarks. They can be adapted to other age groups by request.
Atfalati — grades 1-8
Chinook — grades 1-8
Mountain Men, Trappers, and Traders — grades 1-8
On the Oregon Trail — grades 3-8
Pioneer Life — grades 1-8
School Days — grades 1-4
Lewis and Clark — grades 4-8
See also Mobile Museum in the Community.
Mobile Museum is generously funded by:
Merrill Family Foundation
Braemar Charitable Trust
Juan Young Charitable Trust
Henningsen Cold Storage Foundation
Herbert A. Templeton Foundation
Cultural Coalition of Washington County
U.S. Bancorp Foundation
Members of the Washington County Museum
