SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Take on our building challenges and learn about water stewardship, explore simple machines, or explore our seasonal exhibition at the unique site of Kingston's first waterworks.
BOOKING AN IN-PERSON PROGRAM
We are now accepting booking requests for programs in May - August 2022 at our museum!
To make a booking please visit the City of Kingston's booking portal, Perfect Mind here.
Note: If you are a new user, create a PLAY account here. Creating an account is simple and free.
- Login. Select 'Program Registration' from the tabs at the top of the screen.
- Navigate to the 'Heritage Services'. Select 'PumpHouse Museum' and click on 'School Programs'.
- Select the date and time you would like to book.
- Complete the booking by answering the questions and clicking submit.
- Wait for a confirmation email from City Staff with an invoice.
Registration can also be done by email or over the phone. Please contact us at pumphouse@cityofkingston.ca if you have questions or are interested in booking.
Please submit your program request at least 2 weeks in advance of your requested date.
In-Person Program Fees
| Program | 2022 Fee | Description |
| Children (75-90 minute) |
$4.85 | A 75-90 minute hands-on program |
| Children (Half Day) |
$7.70 | A 2-hour hands-on program |
| Children (Full Day) |
$15.20 |
Two programs (75-90 minutes each) plus a 1-hour lunch break**. |
| Youth | $6.42* | Program for 13-24 years |
| Adult | $6.42* | Adult education program |
| Senior | $6.42* | Program for 65+ years |
*Prices are subject to HST.
Free admission for chaperones.
**Lunch can take place outdoors in our backyard (weather permitting) with teacher supervision. We also recommend City Park as an alternative option.
VIRTUAL VISIT
Experience the PumpHouse safely from your classroom with a Virtual Visit!
What is a Virtual Visit?
A Virtual Visit is a collaborative learning experience that takes place asynchronously and synchronously. It consists of an introductory video tour, in-class activities, and a follow-up live Question and Answer (Q & A) session with our staff. All learning materials are provided to you, so you do not have to worry about preparation.
To request a Virtual Visit, please email pumphouse@cityofkingston.ca.
A member of our team will email you as soon as possible to complete your booking.
Please submit your program request at least 2 weeks in advance of your requested date. We cannot promise that requests made less than 2 weeks in advance will be able to be accommodated.
Virtual Visit Program Fees
| Program | 2022 Fee | Description |
| 0 - 15 students | $25 | A 60 - 120 minute program. Price is per session. |
| 16 - 30 students | $50 | A 60 - 120 minute program. Price is per session. |
| 30+ students | $75 |
A 60 - 120 minute program. Price is per session. |
*Prices are subject to HST.
The Museum has the following educational programming options available for booking requests Tuesdays through Fridays beginning May 2022. Please contact us at education@cityofkingston.ca if you have questions or are interested in booking.
Program Descriptions
Grades K-3
Kindergarten: 75 minutes; Grade 1: 90 minutes
Travel is an important part of our day-to-day life. Where we go, how we get there, and who we travel with shapes who we are. Together we’ll learn about local trips we take to get around and the adventures along the way. You’ll trace a route you take through the community and create a trip map to show your adventure.
Curriculum Connections
Kindergarten
OE 5.1; 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7; 22.1; 25.3; 28.1, 28.2, 28.3; 29.3; 30.1
Grade 1
Social Studies
Strand A: Heritage and Identity: Our Changing Roles and Responsibilities
A.1.4; A2.1, A2.3, A2.5; A3.3, A3.4, A3.5
Strand B: People and Environments: The Local Community
B.1.1; B 2.3, B2.6; B3.1, B3.2, B3.3, B3.6
Grade 2
Social Studies
Strand A: Heritage Identity: Changing Family and Community Traditions
A3.1, A3.2
Strand B: People and Environments: Global Communities
B.2.3; B3.6
Grade 3
Social Studies
Strand A: Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, 1780-1850
A1.2; A2.5; A3.3
Grades 3 - 6
90 minutes
Energy surrounds us in our day-to-day life: it fuels your body, your car, and even the food you eat! Learn how the use of energy for transportation has changed in the last 400 years with a special tour. After, put your brain to work and design a working vehicle that runs on a fixed energy source.
Curriculum Connections
Grade 3
Science and Technology
Understanding Matter and Energy: Forces Causing Movement
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6
Social Studies
Strand A: Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, 1780-1850
A.1.1, A 1.2; A2.1, A2.4, A2.5; A3.4
Strand B: People and Environments: Living and Working in Ontario
B.1.1, B 1.2; B2.1, B2.4, B2.5
Mathematics
Data Literacy: D1.3
Grade 4
Science and Technology
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Pulleys and Gears
1.1, 1.2; 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5; 3.1, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8
Mathematics
Data Literacy: D1.3
Grade 5
Science and Technology
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms: Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms
1.2; 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 2.6; 3.2, 3.3
Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Conservation of Energy and Resources
1.1, 1.2; 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5; 3.1, 3.2, 3.5
Mathematics
Data Literacy: D1.3
Grade 6
Science and Technology
Understanding Matter and Energy: Electricity and Electrical Devices
1.1, 1.2; 2.6, 2.7; 3.4, 3.5
Social Studies
Strand A: Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, Past and Present
1.1, 1.2; 2.6, 2.7; 3.4, 3.5
Mathematics
Data Literacy: D1.3
Level 1 for Grades JK-3
Kindergarten: 75 minutes; Grade 1-3: 90 minutes
Don’t take water for granted! Learn about the technology that brings clean water into your home and how we can be good stewards of this important resource. Learn about the technology behind the old Kingston waterworks, discuss responsible water use and build a water filter using earth and other common-place materials.
Curriculum Connections
Grade 1
Science & Technology
Understanding Matter and Energy
Energy in Our Lives
1.1, 2.4, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5
Social Studies
People and Environments
The Local Community
B1.1, B1.2, B2.1, B3.1, B3.3, B3.7
Grade 2
Science & Technology
Understanding Matter and Energy
Properties of Liquids and Solids
1.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.5
Understanding Earth and Space Systems
Air and Water in the Environment
1.1, 1.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Social Studies
People and Environments
Global Communities
B1.1, B1.3, B2.1, B3.6
Grade 3
Science and Technology
Understanding Earth and Space Systems
Soils in the Environment
1.1, 2.5, 3.1
Social Studies
Heritage and Identity
Communities in Canada, 1780–1850
A1.2, A2.1, A2.2, A2.5, A3.3, A3.4
Level 2 for Grades 4-6
90 minutes
Don’t take water for granted! Learn about the technology that brings clean water into your home and how we can be good stewards of this important resource. Learn about the technology behind the old Kingston waterworks, discuss responsible water use and build a water filter using earth and other common-place materials.
Curriculum Connections
Grade 4
Social Studies
People and Environments
Political and Physical Regions of Canada
B1.1,B1.3, B2.1, B2.2, B2.6, B3.1, B3.5,
Science & Technology
Understanding Life Systems
Habitats and Communities
1.1, 3.3, 3.9, 3.10
Grade 5
Social Studies
People and Environments
The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship
B1.1, B1.2, B2.1, B3.2, B3.6, B3.7
Science and Technology
Understanding Earth and Space Systems
Conservation of Energy and Resources
1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.5
Understanding Matter and Energy
Properties of and Changes in Matter
2.6, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Grade 6
Social Studies
Heritage and Identity
Communities in Canada, Past and Present
A1.1, A3.2, A3.7
People and Environments
Canada’s Interactions with the Global Community
B1.1, B1.2, B2.1, B2.2, B2.4, B2.5, B2.6, B3.1, B3.3, B3.5, B3.8, B3.9
Level 1 for Grades K-1
Kindergarten: 75 minutes; Grade 1: 90 minutes
We challenge you! Move a load from point A to point B by constructing and operating your own simple machines. Learn about how simple machines work to make our lives easier, and the many different forms they take through this new interactive museum program.
Curriculum Connections
Grade 1
Science and Technology
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms
Materials, Objects, and Everyday Structures
2.2, 2.4 2.6, 3.4, 3.7
Grade 2
Science and Technology
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms
Movement
1.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.3, 3.4
