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"We will educate, entertain and offer new ways
of looking at the history of transportation technology."
At AOW, we are now offering educational programs that are
connected to our changing galleries. Our current exhibit
is "Pure Muscle", and features an outstanding collection
of muscle cars from the late 60s. In order for children
to more fully understand what was happening in the US during
the era of these fabulous cars, we are now offering age
appropriate lessons, featuring crafts, puzzles etc to emphasize
the following timely topics:
- The Ant-War Movement (hippies, peace sign)
- The Civil Rights Movement
- Rock and Roll of the Time
- The Women's Movement
We are also offering an educational program on the importance
of the Diner to American travelers. Using vintage
and current photos of diners, with special emphasis on local
diners, we will touch on the history of the diner, compare
and contrast diners of the past to those of today, and talk
about diner food and menus. We'll even do some diner math,
using prices from 1960 compared to those of today!
Upcoming 2010 Community Programs
- Saturday, February 20th, 10:30am-11:30am, "History of
AAA", presented by Theresa Poduski, Director of Public
Affairs, AAA East Central"
- Saturday, April 17th, 10:30am-11:30am, "History of the
Ford Motor Co.", presented by John Costenbader, member
of The Lehigh Valley Model A Club (To coordinate with
our 2nd Anniversary)
- Saturday, June 19th, 10:30am-11:30am, "DUI Presentation"
(The Dangers of Drinking and Driving), presented by George
Geisler, Eastern PA Law Enforcement Director of the PA
DUI Association "
- Saturday, November 6th, 10:30am-11:30am, "Sea Wolf Torpedo
Bomber of WWII, manufactured in the Lehigh Valley", presented
by Rae Klar, Curator of the Sea Wolf Museum Inc in Allentown
How Does that Engine Work?
Curious about what makes an engine work? Come
to this class and find out! The first day will offer a presentation
by an experienced instructor on how an engine works, followed
by a hands-on examination of the parts of an engine. Also
see many types of engines. The second day will offer a hands-on
taking apart of a one-cylinder engine by the students to
further understand what makes it tick! We are keeping the
class small (limit of ten) so there can be a great deal
of student involvement.
Each day will be 2 ½ hours for a total of 5 hours.
This lesson is designed to be both educational and fun!
Guest Age Range:
10 - 15 years
 Cost
to Student:
$30.00 per student
Location:
America On Wheels
5 North Front St
Allentown, PA 18102
Class Size:
Limited to 10 students each class
Safety Around the Roadways: This program is designed
to highlight the potential safety issues and hazards
students may face on their journeys, to school while
riding a bike, skateboard, or walking with a friend.
Students will discuss how they can avoid potential dangers
and will work on establishing a safe route home or to
school.
Museum Scavenger Hunt: Level 1 (6-10 yrs.) Level
2 (11 years - adult)
Students will explore various exhibits as they embark
on a museum scavenger hunt. By answering the questions
pertaining to each gallery, students will gain a deeper
understanding of the history of transportation.
Car Tunes: This program is designed to give students
a basic understanding of musical instruments. Through
this hands-on learning activity, students will develop
a greater appreciation of music by recognizing that music
can be produced by seemingly unlikely objects. After discussing
the many different kinds of musical instruments and importance
of each, students will create and design their own instrument
out of spare car parts and discuss the possible ways to
play and showcase their work.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention: This program
is designed to engage the student in the discovery of
how humans have invented mechanical automotive components
and re-engineered existing mechanical devices for the
automobile based on the recognition of need. Students
will identify the major forces for change through an interactive
presentation, investigate the actual physical changes
by visiting the collection, and develop ideas for the
future automobile in the classroom. The old adage, "Necessity
is the Mother of Invention," will be the operative phrase
throughout the course.
Museum Tour: This tour is designed to instill
a sense of wonder and curiosity about the various methods
of road transportation in America. Either with a docent
or self-guided, students and their chaperones will explore
the many exhibits in the museum while gaining an understanding
of the history of transportation in America with special
emphasis on the Lehigh Valley.
Transportation Storybooks: Through historically
accurate books such as Eat My Dust (about
Henry Ford), and Alice Ramsey's Great Adventure
(the first woman to cross the US in a car), children will
gain a deeper understanding of early motoring while experiencing
the wonderful related exhibits.
Transportation Crafts:
-
License Plate Rubbing -
accompanied by a lesson on the importance of license
plates
-
Matchbox Tracks - children
dip the wheels of the car into paint and make colorful
track. Where are you going? Where have you been? Let
your imagination go wild….
-
Refrigerator Magnets -
in the shapes of vehicles in the museum.
Cut-Away Engine Lesson: Expert instructors, using
a real engine that has been cut-away, will explain the inner
workings to groups of students. Children will have a chance
to move the engine parts.
'Investigation Station'
There will be an antique trunk full of transportation related
items, such as: a windshield wiper, a side-view mirror,
a camshaft etc. Children will pull them from the trunk and
try to identify. This will be followed by a full description
of the item and what it is used for. Very hands-on!
If you are interested in visiting the museum, participating
in one of our programs, or would like to volunteer your
time and talents as an education docent, please let us know
by contacting the Education Coordinator at education@americaonwheels.org
or (610) 432-4200, ext. 14. Based on the level and size
of the group, we will offer educational, entertaining, and
age appropriate activities.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at America
On Wheels!
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