Educational Programming
Take on our building challenges and learn about water stewardship or explore simple machines at the unique site of Kingston's first waterworks.
We also offer Exhibit-Based Programs inspired by the 2019 exhibition at the PumpHouse, Ontario Street: Brewers, Bakers and Boilermakers, 1830 - 1970. Design your own neighbourhood, explore the principles of economics and local history or uncover the unique profiles of real Kingstonians!
Booking a Program
To request a program, please complete and print out the PumpHouse Program Booking Form 2019. Scan and email it to education@cityofkingston.ca.
A member of our team will email you to confirm your booking.
Program Fees
| Program | 2019 Fee* | Description |
| Children (75-90 minute) |
$4.29 | A 75-90 minute hands-on program |
| Children (Half Day) |
$7.43 | A 2-hour hands-on program |
| Children (Full Day) |
$14.73 |
Two programs (75-90 minutes each) plus a 1-hour lunch break**. |
| Youth | $6.24 | Program for 13-24 years |
| Adult | $6.24 | Adult education program |
| Senior | $6.24 | Program for 65+ years |
*All prices are subject to HST.
Free admission for chaperones.
**Lunch can take place in the Discovery Centre or backyard (weather permitting) with teacher supervision.
The Museum has the following educational programming options available for booking requests Wednesdays through Fridays beginning April 2019. 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 1-3: 90 minutes
Exhibit-Based Programming (Only for 2019!)
Let's time travel back to Kingston in the 19th and 20th century! Investigate artifacts to explore how and why the lives of people of Ontario Street changed throughout the waterfront's transformation from 1830 - 1970.
Students will discuss key features and changes in their own neighbourhoods. They will also have the chance to take on the role of a city planner by mapping out a designated area in their community. This program will include a tour of our 2019 exhibition.
Curriculum Connections
Grade 1
Social Studies
Strand A: 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
Strand B: 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7
Grade 2
Social Studies
Strand A: 2.5, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6
Strand B: 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.6
Grade 3
Social Studies
Strand A: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 3.3
Strand B: 1.1, 1.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7
Grades 4-6
90 minutes
Exhibit-Based Programming (Only for 2019!)
Relive life on Ontario Street through our interactive game! Students will learn the principles of economics and explore local history by examining roles and resources in the 19th and 20th century in Kingston.
This program will include a map analysis, a tour of our 2019 exhibition and the chance to play a one-of-a-kind game!
Curriculum Connections
All: Economic Goals
Social Studies
Grade 5: A1.2, A3.2, B2.3
Grade 6: A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A2.1, A2.3, A2.4, A3.2, A3.3, A3.4, A3.6, A3.8
History
Grade 7: B1.1, B1.2, B2.3, B2.4, B2.5, B2.6, B3.3, B3.5
Grade 8: A1.2, A1.3, A2.2, A2.3, A2.5, A2.6, A3.3, A3.5, B1.2, B1.3, B2.3, B2.6, B3.1, B3.3, B3.5
Grades 7 - 10; Adults
120 minutes
Exhibit-Based Programming (Only for 2019!)
Using Ontario Street as a subject of study, visitors will delve into its rich history by analyzing cases of individuals connected to the street. Visitors will learn about the people who lived on Ontario Street and the physical, social, and cultural changes that contributed to the street's changes through time.
Curriculum Connections
History
Grade 7:
Strands B1: B1.1, B1.2,
Strand B2: B2.3, B2.4, B2.5. B2.6
Strand B3: B3.3, B3.5
Grade 8:
Strand A1: A1.2, A1.3
Strand A2: A2.2, A2.3, A 2.5, A2.6
Strand A3: A3.3, A3.5
Strand B1.:B1.2, B1.3
Strand B2: B2.3, 2.6
Strand B3: B3.1, B3.3, B3.5
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
Level 2 for Grades 2-4
90 minutes
Collect all the materials you need to build your own contraptions by identifying all the museum’s simple machines! Learn about how machines work and how they make our lives easier, and the many different forms they take, through this new interactive museum program.
Curriculum Connections
Grade 3
Science and Technology
Understanding Matter and Energy
Forces Causing Movement
2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 3.1, 3.4
Grade 4
Science and Technology
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms
Pulleys and Gears
1.1, 2.5, 3.1, 3.3, 3.6
Grades 1 - 5
90 minutes
Everyone has a favourite museum! But, how are the collections we see and the stories we hear put together behind the scenes? What makes the art and artifacts important? Through this interactive program, students will learn how museums collect objects, preserve objects and tell stories. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate this learning by collectively creating their own exhibitions with their own artifacts brought from home.
Curriculum Connections
GRADE 1
Language
Oral communications, writing, reading, media literacy
Social Studies
Our Changing Roles and Responsibilities, The Local Community
GRADE 2
Language
Oral communications, writing, reading, media literacy
Social Studies
Changing Family & Community Traditions, Global Communities
GRADE 3-5
Language
Oral communication, reading, writing, media literacy
All Ages
Explore our Museum through a guided tour for any age, making it perfect for schools, seniors, church groups, bus trips, or small groups. Inform the museum if your group has any special needs or special accommodations prior to your visit.
For groups over 10 participants, please contact education@cityofkingston.ca to book your tour.
