Educational Programs

The Southeastern Railway Museum offers a wide variety of opportunities for educational field trips and tours, both Guided and Self Guided, for all ages. We have a small picnic area for our group visitors available on a first come basis.

Self Guided tours: Self guided tours are available for groups who would prefer a less structured visit to the museum. Teachers or other group leaders are more than welcome to lead their own groups. Tour maps are provided at the gate. Self guided tours pay regular admission. A group of twelve or more will receive a discount of $2 off regular admission price. We recommend arriving prior to 2:30pm to allow sufficient time to see and study.

Guided Tours: Guided tours are best suited for groups of all ages that are seeking a more detailed educational experience. Our tour guides will lead you through each of the exhibits explaining the historical significance while describing what it was like to ride the rails during the Age of Steam. Guided tours are only available by advance reservation with two weeks notice. Tour prices are $7 per child (2-12), $9 per adult, $7 per senior. For school tours, one chaperone is allowed in free of charge per each 8 children.

If you have any questions or would like to book a tour please please contact the museum’s Education Coordinator, Beth Kovach, at 770-495-0253 extension 2, or education@southeasternrailwaymuseum.org.

Our School/Homeschool Programs :

The following programs are available as fieldtrips at the museum, or as outreach programs at your school. They are available for public and private schools and preschools as well as for homeschool groups, moms groups, and scout groups. All programs include a hands-on experience with artifacts. Programs that are held at the museum generally include a train ride and program-specific tour. All programs are $7 per student. If you have any questions or would like to book a program please contact the museum’s Education Coordinator, Beth Kovach, at 770-495-0253 extension 2, or education@southeasternrailwaymuseum.org.

Pre-K to Kindergarten

All Aboard!
Fieldtrip program length: 2 hours, including tour and train ride (subject to equipment and staff availability)
Outreach program length: 1 hour

For under 4 year olds: 1/2 hour for half-price, minumum of 2 programs of 10 children each.

This program covers the following Georgia Performance Standards and Gwinnett County Academic Knowledge and Skills:

GPS (SKP2), AKS (KSC C2007-10) – Students will investigate different types of motion.
GPS (ELAKLSV1), AKS (KLA A-2009-1,3 &6) – Students use oral and visual skills to communicate.

This program is all about trains! In this program children will encircle a model railroad and learn:

How a train works
What is transported by train
Train jobs
Whistle, lantern, and flag signals
Train safety

Elementary School

Railroads expand America
Fieldtrip program length: 2 hours, including tour and train ride
Outreach program length: 1 hour

This program covers the following Georgia Performance Standards and Gwinnett County Academic Knowledge and Skills:

GPS (SS4H6 b), AKS (4SS A2008-11)

Describe the impact of the steamboat, the steam locomotive, and the telegraph on life in America

SS4E1 f

Give examples of technological advancements and their impact on business productivity during the development of the United States (such as the steamboat, steam locomotive, and telegraph).

GPS (Map and Globe Skills 11), AKS (4SS A2008-11)

Compare maps of the same place at different points in time and from different perspectives to determine changes, identify trends, and generalize about human activities.

In this program students will interact with various artifacts, working steam engines, telegraphs, and maps and learn:

How a steam engine works
How railroads changed the face of America
How railroads impacted American Economy
Where railroads went
How a telegraph works

Second Thursday Preschool Program

10:30 AM-12:00 noon
The Second Thursday of Each Month

All Aboard the Southeastern Railway Museum’s Preschool Program! The second Thursday of each month the Southeastern Railway museum will present a new program for children ages 1-4. The program will include circle time, songs, activities, and a craft. When possible, children will get to climb on board the featured vehicle of the month. The cost is $7 per participating child. One adult is free per family. You do not need to sign-up for the program. To attend, check-in at the ticket counter by 10:20 AM on the second Thursday of any month. We can’t wait to see you there. If you have any questions please contact the museum’s Education Coordinator, Beth Kovach, at 770-495-0253 extension 2, or education@southeasternrailwaymuseum.org. Schedule:

April 8 – Trains!
May 13 – Fire trucks!
June 10 – Hot Air Balloons
July 8– Police Cars
August 12 - Tractors!
September 9 – TBA
October 14 – TBA
November 11 – TBA
December 9 – TBA
January 14, 2011 - TBA
February 11, 2011 - TBA
March 11, 2011 - TBA

Full Speed Ahead Saturdays

10:30 AM-12:00 noon
The Fourth Saturday of Each Month.

Speed on down to The Southeastern Railway Museum’s Full Speed Ahead Saturdays program. The fourth Saturday of each month we will present a new program for children of all ages. The program will include a science project, touch table, storytelling, craft, and other activities. Each month we will feature a different transportation item that the children will get to explore. Cost is $6 per participating child and $8 per adult and includes museum admission. To attend, check-in at the ticket counter by 10:20 AM on the fourth Saturday of any month. We can’t wait to see you there. If you have any questions please contact the museum’s Education Coordinator, Beth Kovach, at 770-495-0253 extension 2, or education@southeasternrailwaymuseum.org. Schedule:

August 28 – Steam trains
September 25 – TBA
October 23 – TBA
November 27 – TBA
December 18 (3rd Saturday due to Christmas)- TBA

Mom’s Group Program

Thanks to popular demand we now offer mom’s group programs. These programs are similar to the preschool programs but can be scheduled for a day and time that best suits your mom’s group. The program is suited for children ages 1-4 and includes a circle time, songs, activities, and a craft. The cost is $7 per participating child. One adult is free per family. There is a 10 child minimum for this program. Available Themes:

Trains
Fire Trucks

If you have any questions please contact the museum’s Education Coordinator, Beth Kovach, at 770-495-0253 extension 2, or education@southeasternrailwaymuseum.org.

Summer Camp 2011

Session 1 : June 20 - June 24
Session 2 : July 11 - July 15

9 AM – 1 PM

All Aboard for the Southeastern Railway Museum’s Summer Camp!
This year’s theme is “Railroad Legends”. Your child will get to learn fact and fiction about different railroad legends while exploring over 50 historic railcars. Each day he will explore a different legend, make a railroad craft, and do related railroad activities. He will even get to ride in a real caboose! The charge for the camp is $145 per child and includes snack.

Each day the child will rotate with their group through each of these stations:

Crafts
Activities
Learning time
Snack
Loco - motion.

If you have any questions or would like to sign-up for camp, please contact the museum’s Education Coordinator, Beth Kovach, at 770-495-0253 extension 2, or education@southeasternrailwaymuseum.org.

Junior Model Railroad Club

For ages 7 and up. A parent must be present.

$100 per child, per year ($20 off additional siblings). Includes a module and admission for child and parent to monthly Junior Model Railroad Special Events.

Debuting during Model Railroad Days November 6, 2010.

Join other train lovers at our Junior Model Railroad Club. Skilled model railroaders will help each parent /child team to construct a module that can link up to other club members’ modules to complete a giant model railroad. The children will get to work on, decorate, run trains on, and exhibit their modules at the museum, and get to bring their modules home with them between events. The best part is that your child will get to make friends with other children who love trains!

If you have any questions or would like to sign-up, please contact the museum’s Education Coordinator, Beth Kovach, at 770-495-0253 extension 2, or education@southeasternrailwaymuseum.org.

This page last updated on Wednesday August 25 2010