The Museum offers three interactive hands-on programs that give youth an opportunity to connect with Gulf Coast heritage and culture through exhibit tours, role playing, and hands-on activities. Make the Connection programs serve youth groups including schools, boy/girl scouts, home school groups, summer camps, after school programs, etc.

Groups may choose one of the following programs:

They Came to Texas
Step into the past with the museum's realistic Sparks Family Pioneer Cabin dating from the mid-1800s. Students will become pioneers as they don period clothing, take on pioneer family roles, and identify pioneer artifacts. Youth also engage in hands-on activities that convey pioneer life such as butter churning, corn shelling, washboard washing and making a traditional pioneer toy.
TOUR SIZE: Max of 30 students
COST: $35 per class
GRADES: K-8th

Can You Dig It
Discover the world beneath our feet with this lesson in archeology. After students tour the archeology museum's natural history and Native American exhibits, they will become archeologists as they conduct their own dig, preserve and identify the artifacts they find, and interpret their findings to one another. Youth will also engage in hands-on activities that will convey the ways in which archeology teaches us about the past.
TOUR SIZE: Max of 30 students
COST: $35 per class
GRADES: 3rd - 8th

Artastic
Unleash the artist within us all with a lesson on world renowned artist and Port Arthur native Robert Rauschenberg. Students will become proteges of Rauschenberg as they explore the museum's permanent gallery of his work, study his techniques and seek artistic inspiration. artYouth will also try their hand at some of Rauschenberg's most innovative techniques including silk-screening, collage and found art.
TOUR SIZE: Max of 30 students
COST: $35 per class
GRADES: 3rd - 8th

Terms & Conditions:
All hands-on programs must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. A deposit of $10 is due 10 business days before the date of the program. A confirmation form will be faxed upon receipt of the deposit. The remaining fee will be due on the day of the visit. The museum accepts cash or check. Deposits will not be refunded in the event of a cancellation.

Each hands-on program lasts approximately 2 hours and does not include a tour of the entire museum. However, if you have additional time, your group is welcome to tour the rest of the museum at no additional charge.

Please contact the Education Coordinator, for more information or to schedule a program at 409-984-6453 or Megan.Oconnor@lamarpa.edu.