Workshops

Workshops are focused around 5 main themes: immigration, history skills, citizenship, world events and WWII and diversity. Workshops may be purchased individually or added to the Basic Package. Each workshop is approximately 1 hour long. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Special workshops on the topic of your choice are available.  These lecture style workshops are delivered by Pier 21 historians and are available by request, subject to availability, on special topics such as the Hungarian revolution, home children, convoys and more. If there is a topic you would like us to present to your students, please contact Elisabeth Tower, Education Manager (Tel: 902-420–6653 | 902-425-7770 ext 243). (Prices)

Immigration

Coming to Canada (Gr. P-6) – This trunk workshop is filled with items that tell a story about the person who brought them to Canada. Students play games to identify the use, function and name of various different artifacts that may have been found in an immigrant’s suitcase. Through this exploration of artifacts and a slideshow presentation, students learn about the challenges that faced immigrants and why they would come to Canada. Refugee (Gr. 5-12) – Students learn about the refugee system in Canada through case studies and presentations. Students witness a skit and receive a short presentation on the refugee system in Canada today. Occasionally first person stories told by refugees are available or a written first hand account of a Hungarian Refugee is provided with questions. Students engage in a refugee empathy exercise to teach them what it would feel like to blindly trust Canada and those who help them to safety.

History Skills

Genealogy (Gr. 4+) – This workshop introduces students to primary research skills and the art of genealogy. Students will discuss what genealogy is and what can be learned through genealogy. Students will use primary documents to search for answers to clues provided about a sample family. This workshop gives students the basic skills they need to start their own research as well as discusses some of the difficulties genealogists encounter when searching for information.

World Events and WWII

Rationing (Gr. 4+) – This workshop introduces students to what things were like on the home front during WWII with particular emphasis on the concept of rationing. Students partake in a recycling challenge in which they are timed to see how fast they can sort. Students also take part in an interactive rationing exercise in which they must outfit themselves for an entire winter with a limited number of stamps. Creative solutions often ensue.

Citizenship

Canadian Citizenship (Gr. 6+) – Students gain an insight into what it means to be Canadian. They will discuss different multicultural models and which they think Canada represents. Students will say an oath of citizenship and sing O’Canada. Students will also attempt a series of sample questions from the citizenship test. Citizens are often surprised by how poorly they do compared with newcomers. Inuksuk: Helping Newcomers Find Their Way (Gr. P-6) – The Inuksuk Workshop focuses on the inuksuk as a symbol for leadership, welcoming and citizenship.  It covers what an inuksuk is and discusses the people who use them including the territory of Nunavut and the flag.  Students explore how the inuksuk is used to guide people and how they can be like an inuksuk to help guide and welcome new comers to Canada through an inuksuk door hanging craft. For more information, see our Student Tour Guidelines (PDF, 35kb) or our FAQ page.

Prices (All prices include tax, educators and chaperones supervising the group are free of charge):