Iron Hill Science Center
Field Trips (Standards-Based)
*We do virtual programs! If you would like one of our specialists to visit your class virtually with one of the topics below, you can reach us at director@ironhillsciencecenter.org or 302-368-5703. Cost is $55 for 1.5 hours of instruction. It includes a slideshow for the students to see items clearly and ask questions.*
Program Information
To schedule a program: Please call 302-368-5703 or email director@ironhillsciencecenter.org for more information or to inquire about reserving your field trip.
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Our programs focus on earth science, archaeology, Native American studies, natural history, and paleontology as they relate to Delaware and the region.
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The Iron Hill Museum programs address State of Delaware Curriculum Framework standards and benchmarks.
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Field trip cost: $5.00 per student. There is a reduced rate of $4.00 per student when program is scheduled for the afternoon on weekdays. Exceptions to this price is our Earth Science + Collect program. This is $6 per student.
Up to 50 students can be accommodated per field trip visit. Larger groups can reserve both morning and afternoon visits (example, if you have 70 students, 35 can do the tour in the morning, and 35 can do the tour in the afternoon, if transportation is available), or two different tour dates. A minimum of 10 students (or $55 minimum) is requested. Groups are split into approximately 20 students per museum educator. Field trips are 120 minutes in length. (This can be tailored to a shorter time if requested by the teacher.)
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Note to Homeschooling families: We do have a special homeschool programs for families that wish to visit that fall under our 10 person minimum. The options listed are called “Homeschool Wednesdays”, “Nature at a Glance”, “Learning Together”, and “Geology + Collect”. More Homeschool information here!
Important Notes About Field Trips
Visitors should dress for a short trail walk in comfortable walking shoes. In the event of very bad weather, you may wish to reschedule, because half of the museum program is outside. Tour groups are split into smaller groups of about 15 students each. 1-2 chaperones per group is suggested. There is a $2 charge for chaperones, not the teachers.
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You are welcome to have a picnic lunch either before or after your program. Ten picnic tables and an outside stage and sitting areas are available for your group.
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Before you arrive, please review this important information. It's a Q&A for teachers.
Gift Shop
We encourage you to visit our small but nifty gift shop. Many earth treasures are available at $.50 to $20. Proceeds support our exhibits and programs. If you wish to shop, please allow extra time before or after your program or during your picnic lunch. We do have an Etsy shop called IronHillMuseumGifts, so please check it out!
Don’t forget to check out our Outreach Programs – Museum Educators come to your location!
For Teachers: Before You Visit…
MUSEUM VISIT & NATURE WALK
Introduction to museum exhibits – rocks and minerals, artifacts, animals of Delaware, the Lenape of Delaware, and the school house. This program is a great overview of the entire museum and the topic of natural history. 120 minutes in length.
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The Museum Visit & Nature Walk meets the following DE Essential Standards (excluding science standards, this is the layout for reading the standards= Standard#.grade cluster,):
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Economics: S1.k-3a, S2.k-3a, S3.k-3a
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Geography: S1.k-3a, S1.4-5a, S2.k-3a, S2.4-5a, S3.k-3a, S3.4-5a, S4.k-3a, S4.4-5a
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History: S1.4-5a, S2.k-3a, S2.4-5a, S3.k-3a, S4.k-3a, S4.4-5a
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Science: K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, 1-LS1-1, 1-LS1-2, 2-PS1-1, 2-LS2-2, 2-LS4-1, 2-EE1-1, 3-LS1-1, 3-LS2-1, 4-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1
EARTH SCIENCE
Using the museum’s collection of rocks and minerals, a hands-on discovery process of rock and mineral identification. Learn about earth materials that brought people to Iron Hill long ago, and discuss nonrenewable natural resources that we use today. 120 minutes in length.
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The Earth Science program meets the following DE Essential Standards:
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Science: 2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-2, 2-PS1-4, 2-ESS1-1, 4-LS1-2, 4-ESS1-1, 4ESS2-1, 4-ESS3-1, 5-PS1-3, 5-PS1-4
EARTH SCIENCE + COLLECT
Come for the tour, stay for the rock collecting! Don’t have time to do the enhanced Geology? On our Earth Science and Rock Collecting tour students still experience the full Earth Science tour, and after lunch get to go to the top of Iron Hill and collect rocks. Cost for the program is $6 per student. 3.5 hours, includes a one-hour lunch break.
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The Earth Science + Collect program meets the following DE Essential Standards:
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Science: 2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-2, 2-PS1-4, 2-ESS1-1, 4-LS1-2, 4-ESS1-1, 4ESS2-1, 4-ESS3-1, 5-PS1-3, 5-PS1-4
NATIVE AMERICAN TOUR
A focus on the Lenape People, also known as the Delaware Indians. Discover how we learn about these people through the archaeological record and oral histories. A visit to an archaeological site helps children understand the importance of preserving the past. 90 minutes in length.
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The Native American Tour program meets the following DE Essential Standards (excluding science standards, this is the layout for reading the standards= Standard#.grade cluster,):
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Economics: S2.k-3a, S3.k-3a
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Geography: S1.k-3a, S1.4-5a, S2.k-3a, S2.4-5a, S3.k-3a, S3.4-5a, S4.k-3a, S4.4-5a
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History: S1.k-3a, S1.4-5a, S2.k-3a, S2.4-5a, S2.4-5b, S3.k-3a, S3.4-5a, S4.k-3a, S4.k-3b, S4.4-5a
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Science: K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, K-2-ETS1-2, 1-LS1-1
ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE (ORSH)
Students will learn what it was like for African Americans to go to school in Delaware in the early 1920s. The program uses artifacts, primary and secondary documents, photographs, and oral histories to bring the Iron Hill School #112C to life.
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The One Room Schoolhouse program meets the following DE Essential Standards (excluding science standards, this is the layout for reading the standards= Standard#.grade cluster,):
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Economics: S1.k-3a
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Geography: S1.k-3a, S1.4-5a, S2.k-3a, S2.4-5a, S3.k-3a, S3.4-5a, S4.k-3a, S4.4-5a
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History: S1.k-3a, S1.4-5a, S1.6-8a, S2.k-3a, S2.4-5a, S2.4-5b, S2.6-8b, S3.k-3a, S3.4-5a, S4.k-3a, S4.k-3b, S4.4-5a
Native American Tour closeup. Items include: cornhusk doll, hammer stone, mortar & pestle, feathers, sinew, a fire starter, and moccasins. Image taken by Maureen Zieber