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Make learning fun … hold an educational event at the Gateway Arch!
MUSEUM EDUCATION PROGRAMS (MEP)
The Education Department at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (JNEM) provides education programs and resources aligned with national, state, and local learning standards.
National Park Service ranger-led programs are available for all activities to support teaching efforts. NPS rangers use museum exhibits, living history items, and period clothing to help students learn about the people, places, and events related to America’s westward expansion and St. Louis history during the nineteenth century. Click to view the Museum Educational Programs brochure.
Call 314-655-1615 or visit online.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS at the MUSEUM OF WESTWARD EXPANSION
Learn about the Old West with a visit to the Museum of Westward Expansion.
- Game of the West - Experience the conflicts and successes of pioneers, Plains Indians and cowboys competing for natural resources on the Great Plains.
- Build Your Own Program - Customize your program to fit your curriculum needs by choosing one or two of the following topics: Lewis and Clark, Mountain Men, Plains Indians, Pioneers on the Trail, Homesteaders, Cowboys
View additional information on Museum of Westward Expansion educational programs here.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS at the OLD COURTHOUSE
Trial Reenactments - Step into a restored courtroom at the Old Courthouse and bring history to life by reenacting a historic trial. Students read scripts, argue facts and decide a verdict. Trials are 60-minutes long.
- Bubble Gum Trial
- Freedom Suit: Dred Scott v Irene Emerson
- Trial for the Right to Vote: Virginia Minor v Happersett
- Segregation Laws in the 1800s: Williams v Bellefontaine
- Tort Liability: Franke v City of St. Louis
Old Courthouse Museum Tour - Echoing the architecture of the ancient Greeks, the Old Courthouse served as the civic hub of St. Louis during the 1800s. Learn more about the significance of the building and how it was used during this 45-minute tour.
View additional information on Old Courthouse eductational programs here.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS at the GATEWAY ARCH RIVERBOATS
River Reflections Program - This is the Mississippi River, past and present. Join a National Park Service ranger for a 60-minute cruise aboard the Gateway Arch Riverboats, and actively explore the history, culture, and future of this great American river. Program is available Tuesday - Thursday during the months of April, May, September, and October. There is a fee charged for riverboat programs.
View additional information on Gateway Arch Riverboat educational programs here.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
- Curriculum Materials - Educational materials including teacher activity guides, pre- and post-visit lessons & activities, trial guides, scripts, and more are available for download.
Mountainmen Traveling Trunk- Self-Guided Tours - If you are unable to schedule a ranger-led tour, you can arrange for a self-guided tour. Museum of Westward Expansion Scavenger Hunt are available online.
- Traveling Trunks - Can’t make it out for a visit? Bring “hands-on” history into your classroom! Trunks are available for a period of two weeks. A list of trunk topics and information on reserving a trunk is available on-line. The cost is $35 or $45, depending on location.
- Video Loan Program - Teachers may borrow DVDs related to westward expansion and the Gateway Arch. Titles and descriptions are available online.
- Teacher Workshops & In-Services - Each year the education department hosts two educator workshops, one in the fall and one in the summer. The education department can also help schools develop and facilitate workshops for their teachers. To learn more, please call 314-655-1615.
- Outreach Programs - Each school year, JNEM offers a limited number of Outreach Programs to St. Louis and East St. Louis Public Schools. Free, 60-minute classroom visits by a park staff member for grades 3 - 6 are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Scout Programs
The Education Department offers a series of programs and workshops that help fulfill the requirements for a number of badges related to history, citizenship, law, and the environment. Additional scout program information is available online.
Click to view:
Junior Ranger Program
Children ages five through thirteen can earn a badge by completing activities in a Junior Ranger booklet at either the Old Courthouse or the Gateway Arch. Click here to learn more about becoming a Junior Ranger! Booklets are available at the information desks. Click here for 2013 Family Junior Ranger Dates that the entire family can enjoy!
SCHEDULING YOUR VISIT
To make reservations call: 1-877-982-1410 ext. 0
- Reservations must be made at least 30 days in advance. Maximum group size is 30 students (one adult for every ten students). Museum Education Programs are free, unless otherwise noted.
- So that we can best accommodate your group it’s important that you plan your visit at least one month in advance. Reservations for the following school year begin on the first business day of June.
- The $3 National Park Entrance fee is waived for bonafide educational groups. Groups of 20 or more qualify for group rates and complimentary tickets (buy 19 tickets and the 20th is free). At least one chaperone per 10 students is recommended.
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Education Department:
Phone: 314-655-1615, FAX 314-655-1642
Suggested Itineraries
Enhance your group’s visit to the Arch with suggested lesson plans for grades 4-6.
Educational Activities
Help your students learn about the Old West and the history of St. Louis while having a good time. These activities are recommended for grades 2-6.