Field Trips 2011-2012

Thank you for considering bringing your class to Sloan Museum, Longway Planetarium or Buick Automotive Gallery! We have a wide variety of classes that will fit the GLCE's for your classroom. If you need history, science or social studies, you've come to the right place.

Reservation Line: 810.237.3409

Click here for our Online Interactive Education Guide
or download the guide in PDF

Bring your students to Sloan Museum and let them explore the current touch-friendly exhibit and a class listed below.

Fall Exhibit Sept 24 – Jan 8

Robots: The Interactive Exhibition
Based on the 20th Century Fox animated feature, Robots depicts a world populated entirely by mechanical beings, including genius inventor Rodney Copperbottom and his friends, the Rusties, who seek to make the world a better place through innovation and determination. Sponsored by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Marker Robots
2nd – 6th Grades
Using markers, a battery, motor, and a hot glue stick, students will build a simple robot that draws. Will it draw a circle? Dotted lines? You won’t know until you turn it on and let it go! Students will explore electrical circuits and the forces necessary to make their robots move. (60 minutes) P.EN.04.12, P.EN.04.43, P.EN.04.51, P.EN.04.52, P.FM.05.31, P.FM.05.33

Winter Exhibit Jan 28 – May

Discover Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Creatures
Discover the world of dinosaurs with 20 lifelike roaring moving prehistoric creatures, cool planetarium shows, dinomite programs, some fantastic fossils and so much more!

Dinosaurs Exhibit
Pre-K through 6th Grade
Your classroom will be joined by one of Sloan Museum’s Dinosaur Guides! With fossils and models in their pockets and lots of information to share, these guides will be on hand to facilitate discussion and discovery with your students. Younger students will identify the needs of living things and observe the physical adaptations dinosaurs had that helped them survive in their environments. Older students will explore predator/prey and producer/consumer relationships as well as the physical and behavioral dinosaur adaptations.

(60 minutes) L.OL.00.11, L.OL.0012, L.OL.01.13, L.HE.01.11, L.OL.03.32, L.OL.3.42, L.EV.03.12, L.OL.04.16, L.EV.04.22, L.EC.04.11, L.HE.05.12, LEV.05.11, L.EV.05.12, L.EV.05.13, L.EV.05.14

Historical Programs at The Museum

*All Hands-on social studies activities last approximately 45 minutes - 1 hour and have limited seating.

Work and Play of Yesterday
Pre-K
Explore children’s history through a story and a series of fun hands-on stations! What kind of toys kept your great-great-grandparents busy when they weren’t doing their chores? Find out through play stations, including washboards, graces and a make & take toy.

Grandma’s Trunk
Grades K - 1
See how life was different for mom, grandma and great-grandma through hands-on exploration with historical objects. Introduces children to the importance of museums and their own family’s past. GLCE: K-H2.0.1, K-H2.0.4, 1-H2.0.5, 1-H2.0.6

If I Could Build A City
Grades 1 - 5
What is a community? What things make a community successful? Generate questions and develop solutions to problems, while focusing on location, transportation, communication and infrastructure. Each team will discuss,
plan and build a two dimensional model city. GLCE: 1-G5.0.1, 1-E1.0.1, 2-G4.0.1, 2-G4.0.2, 2-G5.0.1, 2-G5.0.2, 2-E1.0.2

The Resourceful Red Hen (NEW)
Grades 2 – 3
Using her entrepreneurial skills, the Little Red Hen invested natural, capital, and human resources to produce some good-tasting goods! The cat, dog, and mouse learned a hard lesson about incentives and opportunity costs! Using a reader’s theater format, kids will hear the story of the Little Red Hen and then plant some wheat seeds while categorizing production resources as natural, capital, or human. GLCE: 2-EI.0.1, 2-EI.0.4, 3-EI.0.1, 3-EI.0.2, 3-EI.0.4

Landforms
Grades 2 - 4
Explore Earth! Students will use clay to sculpt mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus and other major landforms as they investigate where on earth these landforms can be found and what forces help shape our world. GLCE: E.SE.02.21

Annishanabeg – Michigan’s First People
Grades 2 – 5
Students will carve their own petro glyph while learning how Michigan’s first people adapted the environment to fulfill their needs and wants. MI History Theme: 1 GLCE: 3-H3.0.4, 3-H3.0.5, 3-G5.0.1, 3-G5.0.2, 3-G4.0.4

Michigan’s Pioneers
Grades 2 – 5
Students will explore how the construction of the Erie Canal opened Michigan to settlement and how the early settlers adapted to, used, and modified the environment to meet their needs. Students will work in teams to pack a wagon for the trip. MI History Theme: 1, 2, 6 GLCE: 3-H3.0.1, 3-H3.0.2, 3-H3.0.3, 3-H3.0.7, 3-G5.0.1, 3-G5.0.2

Logging
Grades 2 – 5
Students will explore the relationship between the location of industries and natural resources and how these concepts led to Flint and other Michigan cities’ rise to the top of the lumbering industry. Students will make a model log stamp to take home. MI History Theme: 2 GLCE: 3-E1.0.3, 3.E1.0.4, 4-H3.0.1

Electricity
Grades 2 - 5
Learn how people lit their homes before electricity was used while investigating simple circuits. Hands-on activities include building a switch and an electromagnet. GLCE: P.EN.04.12, P.EN.04.43, P.EN.04.51, P.EN.04.52

Trappers and Traders
Grades 2 – 5
Students will explore how natural resources and scarcity impacted the interaction between Michigan’s first people and the European voyageurs. Students will feel animal pelts and try their hand at a trading game.
MI History Theme: 1, 2 GLCE: 3-H3.0.1, 3-H3.0.2, 3-H3.0.5, 3.H3.0.6, 3-H3.0.7

Sloan Museum Guided Tour
Grades 3 - 8
Join a museum educator for a brief walking tour of the Sloan Museum and discover the highlights that make this museum an excellent resource. Time will be provided for students to explore the museum on their own. Scavenger hunt available upon request. GLCE: 3-H3.0.4, 3-H3.0.5, 4-H3.0.6, 5-U3.1.6

On the Line
Grades 4 - 5

Flint and General Motors were key players in the development of America’s auto industry. Explore assembly lines and sit-down strikes in this participatory program. MI History Theme: 1, 4 GLCE: 3-E1.0.3, 3-E1.0.4, 3-E1.0.3, 4-H3.0.1,4-H3.0.3, 4-H3.0.6

Hands-on Science at The Planetarium

*All Hands-on science activities last approximately 45 minutes - 1 hour and have limited seating.

Forces and Motion I
Grades Pre-K - 1
Use a ramp, a sheep and a jeep to investigate how pushes and pulls make objects speed up or slow down.
GLCE: P.FM.00.21, P.FM.00.31, P.FM.00.32,P.FM.00.33, P.FM.00.34

Plants!
Grade K
Students will build their own terrarium to take home while investigating living and non-living things.
GLCE: L.0L.00.11, L.0L.00.12

Sound
Grades 1 - 3
What makes sound? Students will find out as they investigate pitch, loudness and vibrations with fun hands-on activities. GLCE: P.EN.03.11, P.EN.03.31, GLCE: P.EN.03.32

Ice Cream
Grades 1 - 4
A sweet way to study solids, liquids and gases! Working in groups, students will
use beakers, measuring cups and measuring spoons to mix up solids and liquids into an ice cream base. Program staff will add the “magic liquid” that changes their liquid into solid ice cream. Each student gets some ice cream to taste. (Additional charge applies)
GLCE: P.PM.01.21, P.PM.01.22, P.PM.02.12, P.PM.02.14, P.PM.04.17, P.PM.04.23, P.PM.04.11

Build Your Own Ecosystem
Grades 1 - 6
Learn the basics of ecology. Ecosystems, needs of living things, the water cycle and more will be discussed. Students will build an independent ecosystem to take home.
GLCE: L.0L.02.14, L.0L.02.22, L.0L.03.31, L.EC.04.11, L.EC.04.21, L.EC.06.31, L.EC.06.32

Mixtures
Grades 2 - 4
Students will make and separate mixtures in this fun, messy, fast-paced activity. Use a variety of measuring and separating tools to separate sand, iron and water. Mix up some concrete to take home.
GLCE: P.PM.02.41

Forces and Motion II
Grades 2 - 4
Sheep in jeeps will roll, crash and drop as kids investigate how common forces such as gravity and friction change the motion of objects.
GLCE: P.FM.03.22, P.FM.03.35, P.FM.03.36, P.FM.03.37, P.FM.03.38, P.FM.03.41, P.FM.03.42

Star Finder
Grades 2 - 6
Learn about the motion of the Earth around the Sun and how this motion affects the constellations we see in the nighttime sky. Students will make a star finder to take home.
GLCE: E.ST.04.11, E.ST.04.12, E.ST.04.21, E.ST.04.22, E.ST.04.25, E.ST.05.23, E.ES.05.61, E.ES.05.62

Galactic Goo
Grades 2 - 6
Chemistry at its finest and most fun! Matter, molecules and polymers will be discussed in this hands-on activity. Each student will make and take home a bag of their very own goo!
GLCE: P.PM.02.12, P.PM.02.14, P.PM.04.23

Groundwater
Grades 2 - 6
Build and manipulate a model groundwater system while learning how removing, adding and polluting water impacts our underground water system.
GLCE: E.FE.02.11, E.FE.02.12, E.FE.02.22, E.ES.03.41, E.ES.03.42, E.ES.03.43, E.ES.03.51, E.ES.03.52

Water Treatment
Grades 2 - 6
Turn on the tap and water comes out. Where did it come from? Where does it go? Take dirty water through the process of water treatment.
GLCE: E.FE.02.11, E.FE.02.12, E.FE.02.22, E.ES.03.41, E.ES.03.42, E.ES.03.43, E.ES.03.51, E.ES.03.52

Science Demonstrations
Changes
Grades 2 - 6
Learn about the states of matter and how matter changes from one state to another. This demonstration provides students with an exploration of physical and chemical changes and the connection between matter and energy.
GLCE: P.PM.02.12, P.PM.02.41, P.PM.04.23, P.CM.04.11, P.CM.06.11, P.CM.06.12

Planetarium Astronomy Programs
Don’t Duck, Look Up
Grades Pre-K
Join Dudley Duck on his first day outside. Along with a barnyard full of animal friends, Dudley experiences a thunderstorm, a sunset and learns about the daytime and nighttime sky. We also learn about constellations and why we have day and night. (30 minutes)

In My Backyard
Grades K - 1
Not Available November 22 - December
Follow Fred Penner and his assistant, Arnie the Arrow, as they explore the colors of the rainbow and the reason for seasons. Then, join Fred in his backyard to learn about the planets and constellations. (45 minutes)

The Super Sky Show
Grades K - 2
It’s the all-talk puppet show with Seymour Sky and his guests. In this fast-paced participatory show, you will hear some constellation myths, learn about stars, the Sun and Earth and how to find the Big Dipper and the North Star. (50 minutes)

The Great Space Treasure Hunt
Grades 1 - 2
Bleemer from the planet Snoozer has found a treasure map in his attic. Rather than clean his room he decides to go on a Great Space Treasure Hunt and invites us to go along with him and his pal Spot. We take off on a trip through space following the map to find the treasure at “X marks the spot”. Along the way we learn how Queen Cassiopeia ended up in the sky as a constellation, explore the planets of our Solar System and we have some fun singing the Blast-off Song and the Earth Song. This program includes a look at the Moon, planets and constellations of the current night sky. (60 minutes)

Solar System Safari
Grades 2 - 4
Join our guide, Danger Dave, on a star lit safari to the planets of our Solar System. Using his “magic camera” we visit the Sun and all of the planets. We learn about the motions of the Sun and Earth, day and night, the phases of the Moon, and the characteristics of the planets and comets. This program includes a look at the Moon, planets and constellations of the current night sky. (60 minutes)
GLCE: E.ST.04.11, E.ST.04.12, E.ST.04.22, E.ST.04.23, E.ST.04.24, E.ST.04.25

Mystery of the Missing Seasons
Grades 3 - 5
Join Angelo as he discovers what causes the seasons on Earth and how the sky changes with each season. Includes a look at the current night sky. (50 minutes)
GLCE: E.ST.04.21, E.ST.04.25, E.ST.05.23, E.ST.05.62, E.ST.05.61

Skeeter Scarecrow’s Starry Sky
Grades 4 – 5
Not available November 21- December
Skeeter Scarecrow is our guide through the night sky. We learn about the cause of day and night, why we have seasons on Earth why the Moon changes shape. Then Skeeter shows us how to use the Big Dipper to find the North Star. Then we go on a tour of the bright stars and major constellations of each season. Finally Skeeter takes us through the planets of our Solar System. GLCE: E.ST.E.1, E.ST.04.11, E.ST.04.12, E.ST.E.2, E.ST.04.21, E.ST.04.22, E.ST.04.23, E.ST.04.24, E.ST.04.25, E.ST.M.6, E.ST.05.61, E.ST.05.62, E.ST.M.1, E.ST.05.21, E.ST.05.22, E.ST.05.23
This program includes a look at the Moon, planets and constellations of the current night sky.

9 Planets and Counting
Grades 5 & Up
How many planets are there? In this new program, we’ll explore all the possible
planets in our Solar System (however many that might be) and find out why figuring out what a planet is and counting them isn’t as easy as it sounds. This program includes a look at the Moon, planets and constellations of the current night sky. (60 minutes)
GLCE: E.ST.05.11, E.ST.05.21, E.ST.05.23

Blown Away: The Wild World of Weather
Grades 5 & Up
Students will be blown away by this fascinating look at the world of weather. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, blizzards and other incredible weather is explored and explained. Join the Weather Team as we learn about the water cycle, how storms develop, safety tips about lightning and tornadoes and the source of all the Earth’s weather. The program includes a look at the Moon, planets and constellations of the current night sky. (60 minutes)
GLCE: E.ST.07.11, E.ST.07.12, E.ST.07.13, E.ST.07.72, E.ST.07.74, E.ST.07.81

WSKY: Radio Station of the Stars
Grades 5 - 8
Not Available November 21 - December
This general astronomy program features a couple of cosmic DJs as they present a totally spaced-out and rockin’ show that explores the Universe. Imagine talk radio of the future as Dr. Cosmos answers questions about everything from shooting stars to black holes. Throw in a tacky traffic report, the wacky weather forecast and a couple of chart topping tunes and catch yourself cruising the cosmos to WSKY: Radio Station of the Stars. Includes a look at the current night sky. (60 minutes)
GLCE: E.ST.05.11, E.ST.05.21

The Skies of Michigan Tonight
For grades 3 and up
In this live program, students will learn about observing the night sky. Topics include: rotation of Earth for day and night; finding the North Star and finding your way around the night sky; what a constellation is and which are visible in the current night sky. Moon phases, daily and monthly motion of the Moon through the sky; visible planets and their movement among the stars will also be discussed.

GLCE: E.ST.04.11, E.ST.04.12, E.ST.04.21, E.ST.04.22, E.ST.04.23, E.ST.04.24, E.ST.04.25, E.ST.05.62, E.ST.05.21, E.ST.05.22, E.ST.05.23

Seasonal Programs

The Halloween Show
Grades K - 4
Available in October only
Join student witch Holly Ween, and Jack o’Lantern, the pumpkin comedian, as they explore Halloween
history and traditions, the constellations of autumn and winter and what causes the phases of the Moon. Everyone participates by helping Holly with her spells and acting along with the finale song. (35 minutes)

The Alien Who Stole Christmas
Grades K - 4
Available November 29 - December 23 only
Santa only visits the children on Earth, so those on the other planets of our Solar System don’t have Christmas. Our alien friend “borrows” Santa oneChristmas Eve to fix the problem. Along the way, learn about the other planets of our Solar System. The program concludes with a sing-along to some of our favorite holiday music. (45 minutes)

George and Oatmeal Save Santa
Grades Pre K - K
Available November 30 - December 23 only
Santa forgot his star map and now he’s lost. Mrs. Claus asks Oatmeal the Snowman and George the Planetarium Wizard to find Santa and help him find his way home. Join George and Oatmeal as they rescue Santa, learn
how to find the North Star and hear stories of the night sky from around the world. The program concludes with
a sing-along to some of our favorite holiday music. (35 minutes)

Holiday Magic Laser Light Show
Grades K - 6
Available November 30 - December 23 only
Laser beams and your favorite holiday music combine for a fun and festive experience for all. This program gives new meaning to the term “Holiday Lights”. (45 minutes)

Tis the Season
Grades 4 - 12
Available November 30 - December 23 only

Some of our favorite holiday traditions have come to us from ancient Winter Solstice celebrations from around the world. Narrated by Public Radio’s Noah Adams, this program also explores possible astronomical explanations for the Christmas Star. (50 minutes)

Planetarium Laser Light Shows

Celebration of Flight
Grades 3 - 6
Amelia wants to win the big rocket contest. But when her test flight crashes on the house of the Professor, she gets a lesson about the history, people and principles of flight that put humans where we are today. Along the way, the Professor emphasizes the Scientific Method as the tool scientists use to gain knowledge and advance our understanding. (60 minutes)

Colors of the World
Grades 3 - 6
Set off on a musical journey around the planet. Explore the sounds of authentic instruments and music from different cultures around the globe as delightful laser imagery fills the Sky Theater. Among the countries featured in this program are Zaire, Spain, Ukraine, Mexico, China, France and Greece. (40 minutes)

The Great Space Chase
Grades 3 - 6

The Intergalactic Accelerator Suit has been stolen! Lieutenant Photeus and the computer glitch, Thacker, set off in pursuit of the sinister Captain Zenon. Learn about the Solar System and the Universe around us with this exciting, music-filled laser show. (35 minutes)

Museum/Planetarium Store

We invite all student groups to shop at the end of their visit. We offer many affordable items that bring home the learning experience of our facilities. Teachers may also choose to pre-order souvenirs for the whole class using our School Order Form included in all reservation confirmation packets. Order before your visit and pick up your goodies before leaving the Museum or Planetarium.

General Information

Sloan Museum, Longway Planetarium Programs, Laser Light Shows and Hands-on Science
$3.50 per student
$4.00 per adult
• Teachers are admitted at no charge.
• Chaperones are not charged for Hands-on Science at Longway.

Longway Planetarium Changes Demonstrations and Ice Cream Activity
$4.00 per person
• Teachers are admitted at no charge.

Book More Than 1 Program and SAVE!
Book a second or third program for the same day at either Sloan Museum or Longway Planetarium for only $3.00 per student*. Don’t forget you can mix and match programs among the institutions to make your trip twice as EDUCATIONAL and twice as FUN! *This offer is not valid on Science Demonstrations.

PLEASE NOTE:
• All admission monies must be collected by the teacher prior to arrival. Any uncollected admissions will be charged the regular admission rate.
• All programs have minimum admission charges.
• All monies received must be by school issued check, money order or cash.
NO PERSONAL CHECKS PLEASE.

Reservations:
• Reservations can be made by calling 810.237.3409 weekdays 8:30am to 4:30pm.
• A fee will be charged to all groups that give less than 72 hours notice of cancellation.
• Groups more than 10 minutes late for their scheduled program will receive the next available time slot.
• Please request arrangements for special needs students when you are making the reservation.

Lunch:
Sloan Museum
• The use of our 1950s-style lunchroom is FREE for those students who have scheduled programs at the Museum. No food or drink is provided. Capacity is 60. Reservations for the lunchroom must be made at the same time as program reservations.
Longway Planetarium
• There is limited space available for groups to eat lunch on tarps located on the lobby floor. Arrangements must be made in advance. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis.

Other Information:
• Programs last 45 - 60 minutes unless otherwise stated.
• Teachers and chaperones are asked to supervise students at all times. Please request that chaperones not bring siblings or additional children.
• Buses may load and unload at the front entrance of the Museum and the Planetarium. NO PARKING IS ALLOWED IN THE DROP-OFF AREA.

Other Destinations:
While visiting Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium, take the opportunity to visit one of the other institutions on the Flint Cultural Center Campus.
For reservations, please call:
Flint Institute of Arts 810.234.1695
Flint Youth Theatre 810.237.1530
Flint Institute of Music 810.238.1350