The Museum offers five interactive hands-on programs that give youth an opportunity to connect with Gulf Coast heritage and culture through exhibit tours, roleplaying, 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:

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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, pioneer games, and a craft.

 

Download: They Came To Texas Teacher's Guide

TOUR SIZE: Max of 25 students

COST: $35 per class

GRADES:3-8th

 

CAN YOU DIG IT?

Ever wonder what it’s like to be an archaeologist or paleontologist? What do giant sloths and armadillos, tropical rainforests, and lush grasslands have in common? They are all part of southeast Texas natural history! Go deep into the wonders of Southeast Texas through fun crafts and hands-on activities. Investigate what fossils, shipwrecks, and relics of past civilizations can teach us about the past and the future. Com and discover what makes Southeast Texas so unique!

 

Download: Can You Dig It? Teacher's Guide

TOUR SIZE: Max of 25 students

COST: $35 per class

GRADES: 3rd - 8th

 

SEA CREATURES AND SEA SHELLS

This hands on program introduces youngsters to the wonders of the sea with an engaging story time, sea life sorting, crafts, ocean bio-facts, and live animals.

 

Download: Sea Creature's and Sea Shells Teacher's Guide

TOUR SIZE: Max of 25 students

COST: $35 per class

GRADES: PreK-1st grade

 

“BEHIND THE SCENES" COLLECTIONS CARE AND CONSERVATION

How does the Museum acquire and care for objects in its collection? The Curator will discuss materials and practices used to preserve items in the Museum collection. This is an opportunity to see areas of the Museum that is not accessible to the general public and get up close and personal with odd and unusual museum artifacts.

 

TOUR SIZE: maximum group size 20

GRADES/AGE: All participants MUST be 12 and over.

COST: $35/class

PLEASE NOTE: MINIMUM notice of one month. The space is not handicap accessible.

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HISTORICAL PHOTOS IN THE DIGITAL ERA

A brief overview of the history of photography followed by a demonstration of how we scan and repair photographs using Adobe Photoshop. Also covered will be inexpensive methods for you to preserve and repair your own photos. Topics covered include resolution, contrast, color balance, spot correction, and scanning for websites, publications, and archival use. Participants are encouraged to bring a damaged photograph, slide, or negative (the older and the messier, the better!) The curator will choose two to work on during the presentation.  This is also an outreach and is great for retirement centers, libraries, and community center activites

 

TOUR SIZE: maximum group size 20

GRADES/AGE: All participants MUST be 12 and over.

COST: $35/class

 

Terms and 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 and is non-refundable. The remaining fee will be due on the day of the visit. The museum accepts cash or check. 

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Each hands-on program lasts approximately 1-1 1/2 hours hours and does not include a tour of the entire museum. However, if you have additional time, your group is welcome to do a self guided tour of the rest of the museum at no additional charge.

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Please call the Museum main line at 409-982-7000 or email mogc.curator@gmail.com to book a program.