School Groups

The Voelker Orth Museum occupies an 1890s immigrant family's house and garden in Flushing, Queens. We offer a variety of science, history, and art programs for a diverse range of ages and abilities.

We aim to support our colleagues teaching in classrooms around the city by developing programs that complement New York's rigorous learning standards. Our intimate setting allows us to give our full attention to one visiting class at a time and dig deep into rich content through experiential learning.

Teachers are can book one of our current workshops for a class visit. Find a description of each of our available programs below.

Field trips are available for booking weekdays, Monday through Friday, year-round. Each onsite program costs $125 for a class of up to 30 students.

Book now, or explore all our options below. Contact education@vomuseum.org if you have any questions.

HISTORY PROGRAMS

Explore our 1890s home to discover how one immigrant family lived in Flushing, Queens over 100 years ago. Students will learn about the history of New York City, immigration, and daily life through the lens of Conrad Voelcker (later Voelker)—a newspaper publisher who emigrated from Germany in 1881—and his family.

  • Students take on the role of detective as they investigate our 1890s immigrant home and inspect objects from the family collection. Students will use primary sources to understand how families lived in Queens in the 20th century. Students will make connections to their own family and lives, engaging in an art and writing activity with themes of family and community.

  • This program focuses on the story of Conrad Voelcker, a newspaper publisher who emigrated from Germany in 1881 and published German-language newspapers in New York City. Each class will take a hands-on tour of the historic house focused on the history of communication between 1890 and the present. We'll explore how Conrad and his family stayed in touch with friends and family in Germany while also making new connections in their new home—using newspapers, typewritten letters, and books. In a culminating printmaking activity, students will create their own newspaper advice column for recently-arrived immigrants.

SCIENCE PROGRAMS: PLANTS

In these plant science workshops available year-round, students will observe, ask questions, and collect information about plants in the garden, and then share their ideas as they engage in hands-on gardening and discussion in a classroom setting.

  • Using a variety of familiar fruits and vegetables, your class will classify plant parts, learn what they do, and discuss how humans and plants support each other. Students will start a plant from seed to take home.

  • Students learn about the basics of plant life, the water cycle, and how plants respond to changes in their environment. Students will make their own terrarium garden to take home.

  • Students learn about what lives and grows in our urban garden, how plants grow, and how the garden ecosystem contributes to our everyday lives. Students will create a nature journal and plant their own seed to take home

URBAN WILDLIFE

The city is home to remarkable creatures. Students examine the relationships between humans, plants and animals and learn about the things urban wildlife need to live and grow in our city home. Available April through September, this workshop is geared for school and camp groups alike.

  • Students will learn about the different parts of a bird's habitat, observe birds in the garden, and make a simple bird feeder so they can continue their observations at home.

  • Students will learn about the important role of honeybees in our ecosystem, visit our working beehive, sample honey, and make beeswax candles to take home.

FAQ

About Your Class

  • Our classroom space is limited, so we cap our programs at 30 students (grade 6 and younger) and 4 adult chaperones at one time. Special needs groups are capped at 15, not including chaperones, unless you've made special arrangements. Reach out to us at (718) 359-6227 or education@vomuseum.org to learn more.

  • We strive to support students of all needs and abilities. Please describe any special consideration that would best prepare us for working with your students (learning styles, physical needs, cognitive and sensory challenges) when making your reservation. The more information you provide, the better we will be able to support your students' unique needs. Please note that special needs groups are capped at 15, not including chaperones, unless you've made special arrangements.

  • Our programs complement New York State's Learning Standards and the Common Core Standards. Email education@vomuseum.org for details about specific programs.

Booking Logistics

  • Onsite programs cost $125 per class. Advance payment is requested by cash, check, or PayPal made out to the Voelker Orth Museum.

  • A full refund is available for cancellations up to 15 days prior to the scheduled program.

  • If the Voelker Orth Museum is closed due to inclement weather, all field trips are cancelled. Museum closings will be announced on our voicemail at 718-359-6227. We will also leave a message for you at your school and/or on the contact number you've provided. If school bus service is delayed or suspended, or you elect to cancel your field trip due to weather, please contact us immediately at 718-359-6227. If a trip is cancelled due to weather (either because the museum is closed, schools are closed, or your bus is canceled), we will do our best to reschedule your trip. If we are unable to find a time that works for all parties, we will issue a full refund.

Planning Your Visit:

  • Programs include an outdoor component, so please advise your students to dress accordingly.

    Additionally, many of our education programs involve working with soil and/or messy art materials. We advise students to wear clothing that they don't mind getting a little dirty.

  • We don't have a cafeteria space on premises, and we can't guarantee that the weather will accommodate plans to picnic in the garden. We strongly recommend eating back at school, but are happy to troubleshoot other options as you work through challenges related to timing and travel.

  • School bus parking is available directly in front of the museum on 38th Avenue.

Still have questions?