Educational Programming
Learn about habitats and explore biodiversity (Trees, Seeds and Feathers) or engage in hands-on building programs (Can You Build It?) at the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum.




Booking a Program
We are now accepting booking requests for programs in September - December 2022 at our museum!
To make a booking please contact us at mwmuseum@cityofkingston.ca. Please submit your program request at least 2 weeks in advance of your requested date.
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 on the terrace (weather permitting) with teacher supervision.
Groups are encouraged to share a bus and arrive with two classes. We can accommodate a maximum of 40 students at a time, but many take advantage of beautiful Grass Creek Park for a picnic or outdoor games while waiting. For information on Grass Creek Park facilities, please call 613‐544‐4442.
Program Descriptions
Grades K-3
Kindergarten: 75 minutes; Grade 1-3: 90 minutes
Measure, mark and assemble wood structures using basic woodworking techniques and safe tool handling. (That's right, we'll be using real tools*!) Students will practice sharing, problem-solving and teamwork in a series of small and large building challenges using a variety of materials. Investigate what makes a structure strong and stable and employ the elements of design to create interesting buildings that you can bring back to the classroom to set up your own exhibit.
*Tools used will vary depending on grade level.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
KINDERGARTEN
2.1, 8.1, 8.2, 24.1, 24.4
GRADE 1
Visual Art
D1.1, D1.2, D1.4
Science & Technology:
Strand A: STEM Skills and Connections
A1.2, A1.3, A3.1
Strand D: Structures and Mechanisms: Everyday Materials, Objects, and Structures
D2.2, D2.4, D2.5, D2.6, D2.7
GRADE 2
Visual Art
D1.1, D1.2, D1.4
Science & Technology:
Strand A: STEM Skills and Connections
A1.2, A1.3, A3.1
GRADE 3
Visual Art
D1.1, D1.2, D1.4
Science & Technology:
Strand A: STEM Skills and Connections
A1.2, A1.3, A3.1, A3.2
Strand D: Structures and Mechanisms: Strong and Stable Structures
D1.1, D2.1, D2.3, D2.4, D2.5
Level 1 for Grades K-4; Ages 4-8
Kindergarten: 75 minutes; Grade 1-4 90 minutes
MacLachlan Woodworking Museum is home to much more than artifacts— Learn about the plants, animals and insects that are kind enough to share Grass Creek Park with us! Through a nature walk and hands-on exploration, learn to identify birds common to the area and how we can use their physical characteristics to glean clues about their habitats, diet and gender. Please note that the program includes an opportunity for students to handle taxidermy birds.
Pair the Trees, Seeds and Feathers program with your choice of module: Papermaking or Bird Nests.
Available late spring through early fall
50 participant max
Papermaking Module
Birds aren't the only flying thing that makes nests! In fact, a wasp's nest is so cleverly built that it inspired a whole industry. Explore the steps wasps take to build a nest and learn how humans only figured out recently, what the insect world has long known: how to make paper from trees!
Bird Nests Module
Do all animal habitats look the same? Every animal has different characteristics and needs when finding or building their habitat. Looking exclusively at habitats built by our avian architects, students will investigate various nest materials, building techniques and work together to construct a life-sized nest for their class!
CORE PROGRAM CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
GRADE 1
Science & Technology:
Strand B: Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
B2.1, B2.2, B2.3, B2.5, B2.6
GRADE 2
Science & Technology:
Strand B: Life Systems: Growth and Change in Animals
B2.1, B2.2, B2.3, B2.5
GRADE 3
Science & Technology:
Strand B: Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
B1.1, B2.1, B2.2, B2.3, B2.4, B2.8
GRADE 4
Science & Technology:
Strand B: Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
B2.1, B2.2, B2.5, B2.6
MODULE CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
GRADE 1
Social Science:
People and Environments: The Local Community B1.1, B2.4, B2.5, B3.1
Science and Technology:
Strand A: STEM Investigation and Communication Skills
A1.2, A1.3
Strand B: Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
B2.2, B2.3, B2.6
GRADE 2
Science and Technology:
Strand A: STEM Skills and Connections
A1.2, A1.3
Strand B: Life Systems: Growth and Change in Animals
B2.1, B2.2, B2.3, B2.5
GRADE 3
Social Science:
People and Environments: Living and Working in Ontario B1.1, B1.2
Science and Technology:
Strand A: STEM Skills and Connections
A1.2, A1.3
Strand B: Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
B1.1, B2.1, B2.2, B2.3, B2.4, B2.8
Strand D: Structures and Mechanisms: Strong and Stable Structures
D2.1, D2.5
GRADE 4
Science and Technology:
Strand A: STEM Skills and Connections
A1.2, A1.3
Strand B: Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
B2.1, B2.2, B2.6
Level 2 for Grades 4-6
90 minutes
Come and explore the biodiversity at the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum! Learn about the importance of biodiversity through hands-on activities, observe different species that make this site their home, and discuss what we can do to preserve biodiversity for future generations.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
GRADE 4
Science and Technology:
Strand B: Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
B1.1, B1.2, B2.1, B2.2, B2.3, B2.5, B2.6
Social Studies:
Heritage and Identity: B Political and Physical Regions of Canada
B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B2.2, B2.6
GRADE 5
Science and Technology:
Strand B: Human Health and Body Systems
B2.1, B2.2, B2.3
Social Science:
Heritage and Identity: B The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship
B1.3, B2.1, B2.5, B2.6
GRADE 6
Science and Technology:
Strand B: Life Systems: Biodiversity
B1.1, B2.1, B2.2, B2.3, B2.4, B2.5, B2.6, B2.7
Strand D: Structures and Mechanisms: Flight
D2.2, D2.3, D2.4
Grades 3 +
2-day program | 1.5 hours (in-class) & 2 hours (museum)
A Think Tank is a group that put their thoughts together to solve a problem– A Tink Tank is a group that builds (tinkers) a solution to a problem. Using problem based learning, Tink Tank will allow your group to experiment, make mistakes and share ideas to design and craft the best possible answer to building challenge—all while practicing safe tool use! Taught over two days, our Program Leaders will come to your space to start the design and modeling process. On day 2, you come to us at the Museum to bring the vision to life with the real supplies and tools.
Note: Additional fees may be required depending on building challenge.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
GRADE 3
Science and Technology:
Strand A: STEM Skills and Connections
A1.2, A1.3, A1.4, A3.1, A3.2
Strand C: Matter and Energy: Forces and Motion
C1.1, C2.2, C2.3, C2.4
Strand D: Structures and Mechanisms: Strong and Stable Structures
D1.1, D2.1, D2.2, D2.3, D2.4, D2.5, D2.6, D2.7
Math:
Number Sense and Numeration
Measurement
Geometry and Spatial Sense
Patterning and Algebra
GRADE 4
Science and Technology:
*variable
Math:
Number Sense and Numeration
Measurement
Geometry and Spatial Sense
Patterning and Algebra
GRADE 5
Science and Technology:
Strand A: STEM Skills and Connections
A1.2, A1.3, A1.4, A3.1
Strand D: Structures and Mechanisms: Forces Acting on Structures
D1.1, D1.2, D2.1, D2.2, D2.3
Math:
Number Sense and Numeration
Measurement
Geometry and Spatial Sense
Patterning and Algebra
GRADE 6
Science and Technology:
*variable
Math:
Number Sense and Numeration
Measurement
Geometry and Spatial Sense
Patterning and Algebra
GRADE 7
Science and Technology:
Strand A: STEM Skills and Connections
A1.2, A1.3, A1.4, A3.1, A3.2
Strand D: Structures and Mechanisms: Form, Function, and Design of Structures
D1.1, D2.1, D2.2, D2.3, D2.4, D2.5, D2.6, D2.7
Math:
Number Sense and Numeration
Measurement
Geometry and Spatial Sense
Patterning and Algebra
GRADE 8
Science and Technology:
*variable
Math:
Number Sense and Numeration
Measurement
Geometry and Spatial Sense
Patterning and Algebra
*As a problem-based program, if you would like to specify a theme or curricular area that you would like to test, please contact kmaddock@cityofkingston.ca to develop a challenge question suited to your group. This program is ideally suited to section 2.4 of the Elementary Science and Technology Curriculum “use technological problem-solving skills to determine…”
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