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Immersion Days 2008

Immersion Days are day-long living history education programs that bring history, science and technology to life for children in grades three to eight.   The Immersion Day program meets Department of Education Standards for Mathematics, Science and Technology, Language and Reading and Social Studies for Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

When: April 21-25, 28-30 and May 5, 6, 12, and 13th.  Homeschool Day is April 29, 2008

  Description: The Immersion Program takes students through four activities.  Each activity engages students in a hands-on learning experience about the people, processes, and products that forged the Industrial Revolution in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 

Cost: $10 per student (teachers and chaperones are free).  One chaperone must accompany every 10 students.  Teachers are not counted as chaperones, because they must be available to rotate among the activity stations.  A minimum of 20 students is required for a date to be held (we will schedule you with another group).  We can accommodate a maximum of 100 students.  Contact Sonya Dollns-Colton at 610-559-6623 for more information.

Reservations and Payment Policies:  To reserve an Immersion Day for your class, call 610.515.8000 and press #2 on the menu.  A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a date (Visa or MasterCard).  Final payment with exact count must be received 14 days prior to your visit date.

Homeschool and Immersion

Planned Activity Stations and Learning Objectives

          Canal Life:  Children on the canal had many activities and responsibilities.  Students learn first hand what life was like for a canal boat child by polishing a mule harness, doing laundry on a washboard, and blowing a conch shell horn.  They will also learn about mule tending and navigating a canal boat.

          Simple Machines:  Students learn about the problems faced by early engineers who were trying to build the first canals.  Many of these challenges were solved by using simple machines such as wedges, pulleys, and levers.  Students will work in teams to solve problems similar to those faced by early canal builders using simple machines they operate themselves.

          Buoyancy:  Students learn the importance of moving goods on water by testing the forces of friction with several hands-on activities.

Blacksmithing:  Students learn the importance of blacksmithing in the community and in the daily operation of the canal.  Students will operate a riveting forge with blower to create “S or J” hooks with the tools of the blacksmith such as the hammer, anvil and tongs.