Welcome to Maine State Museum

The Maine State Museum is committed to ensuring that its educational programs and activities help satisfy the goals of the State of Maine Learning Results. Each program has been examined in relation to the Learning Results Performance Indicators and the connections are listed at the end of each program description.

The following key lists the connections and strength of connection for each program:

Ancient Middens: What we can learn from bones and teeth (4-12)
A look at what ancient bones tell about the animals important to Native Peoples. Students can examine actual bones, make comparisons and draw conclusions from their observations. H, s, cp

Arrowhead Making (2-12)
An opportunity for participants to make their own arrowhead using antlers and stone. They will also take part in a discussion on the arrival of the first peoples in Maine. H

Relief Rubbings (K-8)
Participants will be able to interpret possible meanings of symbols from two petroglyph sites in Maine. They will be able to create their own rubbings using casts from both sites. H, A

Sail Making and the Story of the ST MARY (3-12)
This program examines the techniques and history of sail making and shipbuilding in Maine. Students will have a hands-on opportunity to sew sails while they discover the story of the ST MARY. H, cp

The Story of Claws: The Maine Lobster (3-12)
The lobstering program takes a look at the life cycle of a lobster. Participants discuss the techniques and economic significance of lobstering in Maine. S

The Defence Story (4-12)
Students are introduced to underwater archaeology, map work, and the recovery and conservation of artifacts through the use of hands-on activities centered around the Revolutionary War privateer, Defence, and the Penobscot Exhibition of 1779. H

Flintlock Musket and the Revolutionary War (4-12)
Students will have an opportunity to examine the workings of a flintlock musket. They will briefly discuss Revolutionary War battle strategy and will have an opportunity to simulate loading a flintlock musket. H

Farming in the 17th Century (K-8)
Students will be able to compare and contrast farming techniques of early settlers and Native Americans. Emphasis will be placed upon identifying and understanding the uses of early farm tools. H

Ice Harvesting on the Kennebec (3-12)
Students will be introduced to the history of ice harvesting, especially as it was undertaken on the rivers, and will then role-play what it might have been like the first day on the job. H, cp

The Importance of Iron (3-12)
The history and uses of iron will be examined in this program. Students will be able to participate in the making of a sand mold used in the casting process. H, cp

Maine's Golden Age of Granite Quarrying (3-12)
Students will learn about the history of granite quarrying in Maine. They will be introduced to the uses, techniques and economic impact of the industry. H, cp

A Look at 19th-Century Textile Production (3-12)
This program focuses on the significance and history of textile production in both the home and factory. Participants will enter a 19th-century weave shed environment to get a feeling of what it must have been like to work there. H, cp

Life in a Logging Camp/Work in the Woods (3-12)
The students will discuss what life was like in a 19th-century Maine logging camp. They will then examine some of the machinery involved in the harvesting and transporting of timber. H, cp

The Power of Steam (3-12)
The importance of steam power used in Maine's mills and factories is the focus of this program. A working model is used to demonstrate how steam is produced and power transferred. H, S (applied)

Water Power in Maine (3-12)
The program looks at how water power helped shape Maine's past. It also gives students an opportunity to examine how power is transferred, by observing a water-powered mill. H, S (applied)

Wool Carding (K-8)
The wool-carding program focuses on the processes involved in the preparation of woolen yarn.. Using hand cards, students will have an opportunity to card wool and then to begin spinning it into yarn. H, cp

Nineteenth-Century World of Work (3-12)
A walking tour of the Made in Maine exhibit includes stops at home, shop, mill and factory settings. This will allow students to get a glimpse of 19th-century work environments and how they could affect the lives of adults and children. H, cp Note: This tour is also available in a one-hour expanded version.

12,000 Years Into Maine's Past (3-12)
This tour is designed to give students a view of how people lived in Maine over the past 12,000 years. The tour is conducted in chronological order and is based upon the artifacts in the exhibit. H, a
Note: This tour is also available in a one-hour expanded version.

Flying With Feathers (K-12)
Distinctive features of birds will be discussed in this program. The participants will be encouraged to examine and discuss the differences and similarities between birds and other animals. S

Formation of Rocks and Minerals (4-12)
Students will examine significant rock and mineral specimens found in Maine. Emphasis will be placed on the formation, identification and historic uses of these rocks and minerals. S

Life Under a Log: Maine Reptiles and Amphibians (K-8)
In this program, students will examine characteristics of specific reptiles and amphibians found in Maine. They will then be encouraged to compare and contrast these characteristics to those of other Maine animals. S

Life in a Tide Pool (K-8)
This program provides an opportunity for students to examine some of the inhabitants of a tidal pool using preserved specimens and the coastal scene of the natural environment area. S

Mammals Large and Small (K-8)
Students will discuss the characteristics that define a mammal. They will then discuss how these characteristics are different from and similar to other animals. S

What is a Fish? (K-3)
Designed for younger children, the fish program examines the parts of a fish. A model of a lake trout and live fish in the mountain scene are used to help tell the story. S

Beginning July 1, 2009
The Maine State Museum is open Tuesday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM
Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday and Monday - Closed

Closed all state holidays and state government closure days. In 2009, state government closure days are July 6, August 7, September 4, October 9, and December 24.

For more information, please call 207-287-2301 or TTY 888-557-6690 or check the museum website at: www.mainestatemuseum.org.