Youth In-Person Tours
At The Museum
A field trip to Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site is a unique learning opportunity for your class! It brings curriculum to life and creates lasting memories. Students can handle real artifacts and explore the history of our local oil fields.
School group admission is $3.75 per student. Teachers and chaperones are complimentary. Programs are 2-2.5 hours in length. Breaks provided within the program on request. A typical program starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 1:00 p.m. with included breaks. Maximum 40 participants. Please book at least 3 weeks in advance.
At Your Location Outreach Program
Oil Museum of Canada, is proud to offer a variety of in-person outreach programs, where a museum educator brings the museum to you! This one-hour program is designed to complement school curriculums, or to cater to your group's interests.
Programs
Black Gold: Our Petroleum Heritage |
Examine the history of the first commercial oil well in North America. You will learn about the problems that these oil pioneers faced to start this new industry in the wild swamps of Lambton County. Explore the rags to riches stories of the dreamers, scoundrels and innovators as they rush to harvest and process Black Gold. Suggested grade level: 7-8 |
Geology Rocks |
You will learn about the local geology that gave birth to the modern oil industry. You will see the gum beds where the raw crude oil oozes to the surface and look at core samples. Investigate the geologic resources such as oil and salt found in Lambton County. Suggested grade level: 4-9 |
Conservation of Energy |
What is energy and where does it come from? Students will learn about the different types of energy. You will contrast and compare renewable and non-renewable resources and the role they play in the global energy market. The tour will look at the different perspectives between the historical treatment of the environment and today's environmental protections. Suggested grade level: 6-7 |
Pioneer Days |
Visit our historic Langbank log cabin, Canadian Drilling Rig, and blacksmith shop. Discuss the different duties between genders during the black gold rush. See how early settlers used simple machines and local resources to shape their environment and start the modern oil industry. Students will get time to make a craft and play with historical wooden toys. Suggested grade level: 3-4 |
Refining Crude Oil |
Science and chemistry have revolutionized the way we use raw crude oil resources. See how the process of refining crude has changed from James Miller Williams days in 1858 to how the modern refineries of Sarnia-Lambton process the crude oil into the greener fuels and products used today. Suggested grade level: 7-11 |
Environmental Resource Management: A Case Study |
Examine the petroleum industry from its humble beginnings in the mid-1800s to the large multi-national industry that operates today within our local communities. In this case study we look at the attitudes of these oil industry pioneers towards the environment, economics and society in the 1800s through the lens of sustainability. After this historical look at the industry we discuss how the industry has evolved over time to what we see today. How have attitudes shifted over time within the industry and outside the industry in regards to the environment, economics, and society in regards to sustainability. Suggested grade level: 7-11 |
A Driller's Holiday |
Step back in time and experience winter festivities from the mid-19th century. Students will play with wooden toys, make a candle, visit the Langbank log cabin, taste warm wassail and create a holiday craft. Listen to stories about Uncle Harry as he travels around the world drilling for oil and learning about the different local holidays. You will see some of the cultural artifacts collected on his trips. Suggested grade level: kindergarten - 4 Offered in November and December only. |
Summer group tours
Looking for something for your social club, youth group, or summer camp to do this summer? We have special tours for groups of 10 or more during the months of July and August. Explore the museum with trained tour guides and take part in fun hands-on activities.
Summer Oil Heritage |
Black gold is oozing out of the fields of Oil Springs, attracting both fortune seekers and scoundrels. The modern oil industry was born in the muddy fields of Oil Springs. A person can be poor in the morning and rich in the afternoon. See the first oil well in North America. You can touch the gum beds and jig on the spring pole-drilling rig. Ages: all ages |
Summer Pioneer Program |
Step back in time and visit the Langbank log cabin. Take part in activities such as fetching water, washing laundry, and other farm chores. See how different types of work were divided by gender in the mid-1800s. You will explore many of the historic outbuildings on the museum grounds and play traditional games on the lawn. Make a pioneer themed craft as a souvenir. Ages: 5-12 |
Can't make it to the museum? Check out our Travelling Trunks.
Learn how you can help sponsor a field trip or Travelling Trunk for a class by visiting our donation page and help a local school participate in a program they might not normally be able to afford.