Bring Your Class for the Day!
The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum invites you to bring your class for a day of interesting, fun and educational programs! The Museum strives to provide the highest quality programs to area schools. We are continually improving and changing the programs to meet the standards and your needs. We welcome your suggestions!
Discover World continues to add new and exciting displays for you and your students. New animals are on view along with the popular Watershed exhibit where students can learn about how our actions impact the local water supply. Our Fascination Station is full of exciting interactive exhibits!
Our Hoover-Price Planetarium will take you to the stars and beyond! Students will view the night sky, constellations, and learn the latest in the field of astronomy.
In addition to the McKinley Gallery and the Street of Shops, the AMERICAN HERITAGE TOUR also includes The Stark County Story. This exhibit has received rave reviews for its content and interactivity.
The 3rd grade OHIO & YOU program, “Stark County Then & Now” has been completely redesigned to utilize the information presented in The Stark County Story. For the upper level students we offer a new tour called DESTINATION STARK COUNTY, which explores how local events fit into the larger picture of American history.
Our programs align very well with the Common Core and STEM standards. To learn more about how our programs meet these standards please visit our Educator Resource page.
Whether you choose to experience Discover World, the Planetarium, an American Heritage Tour, Science Expeditions, Ohio & You, or Destination Stark County, be assured that your students will have a rewarding, fun and educational experience that will leave them wanting to come back for more. View our lineup of School Programs below.
You can also take a Virtual Tour of our Street of Shops.
Our Street of Shops also has a replica of an 1805 Cabin that provides great insight into how Ohio’s earliest settlers live. You can also take a Virtual Tour of our Cabin!
We look forward to working with you and providing a rewarding experience for your students!
Please contact our Director of Education, Ally Carlson, with any questions you may have, or to discuss the programs available to you.
School Programs
American Heritage Tour
A trained docent will provide your students with the opportunity to go back in time and discover how people lived 200 years ago. Our animatronic President and Mrs. McKinley figures will greet them in the McKinley Gallery.
They will also explore our historical life-size town, The Street of Shops where they can slide down a fire pole and see our operating model train layout.
Ohio & You
AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER-MARCH
McKinley & Me
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
This program teaches children to use simple time lines using important events in President McKinley’s life. They will learn the story of the red carnation and make a red carnation to take home.
A Visit with the McKinleys
2ND GRADE
Using maps and historic photographs, students will learn about President McKinley’s life and accomplishments, then use what they learned to fill in a simple timeline.
Stark County – Then & Now
3rd Grade
Students will learn about the history of Stark County, including the development of major industries, immigration, lifestyles, culture and transportation.
Beautiful Ohio
4th Grade
Students will learn about the Ohio symbols and the different presidents associated with Ohio. They will use map skills to locate the birth and death places of each Ohio president.
Destination Stark County
8th-12th Grade
Using the Stark County Story exhibit, students will learn about the role Stark County played in the early years of Ohio, the Civil War, and the industrial boom that made Canton the “City of Diversified Industries.”
Discover World
A trained docent or staff member will introduce students to the science contained on the three islands of Discover World and then allow students to explore each island on their own.
On the Natural History Island, they will learn about dinosaurs, ice age animals and people, and explore the rock and mineral area. Students will meet the animals of Ecology Island and learn about their habitats and food chains. Fascination Station is filled with interactive physical science exhibits for students to explore.
Science Demonstration
AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER-MARCH
Electric Show
All Ages
Learn some “hair raising” facts about electricity!
Science Expeditions
AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER-MARCH
Science Expeditions take place in our school house in the Street of Shops and includes five grade appropriate programs. Each program was designed around the Ohio Learning Standards. Students will be challenged to think critically, problem solve and work together to achieve common goals.
Creepy Crawlies
All Grades — 30 Minutes
Students will learn about the importance of insects in our world and get to touch a couple of the Museum’s insects.
Changes
4th-6th Grade — 1 Hour
Students will view and participate in experiments involving chemical or physical changes. They will work together to perform a variety of controlled experiments. Students will learn characteristics of chemical and physical changes.
Rocks & Fossils
4th-6th Grade — 30 Minutes
Learn what fossils are, how they form, and what we can learn from them. Also learn about the rock cycle. Includes a PowerPoint with real fossils to examine.
Planetarium
The Planetarium staff is willing to work with you to develop presentations tailored to your class needs. Please note that students must be at least 5 years old to attend the planetarium.
Our Sun is a Star & Earth is Special
K & 1st Grade — 30 Minutes
Students will learn about the Sun, Earth & Moon! Students will also learn about the motion of the Sun, why the Earth has day and night and when do we see the Sun and Moon. We will end with the current night sky and constellations.
Phases of the Moon & Meet the Planets
2nd-3rd Grade — 30 Minutes
Students will learn why the Moon goes through changes every month. Students will be introduced to the planets in our solar system! We will end with the current night sky and constellations.
Solar System Tour
4th-6th Grade — 45-60 Minutes
Students will enjoy a tour of the solar system and learn about the unique characteristics of the planets and moons! Students will explore asteroids, comets and meteoroids and our place in our Milky Way galaxy. We will end with the current night sky and constellations.
Cycles & Patterns in our Solar System & Beyond
7th-8th Grade — 45-60 Minutes
Students will learn about the reason for the seasons, what causes tides and eclipses. Students will enjoy a tour of the solar system and beyond and learn about star life cycles. We will end with the current night sky and constellations.
Schedule a Visit
Please use the form below to schedule an in-person class visit to the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum. We will review your request and get in touch with you shortly to get your visit scheduled.
Please allow two weeks notice to schedule a field trip. A minimum of ten students is required for guided programs.
