On-Site Field Trips
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is excited to offer a wide variety of on-site field trip opportunities for students PreK – 12th grade! Students will have the chance to participate in engaging hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities, investigate interactive exhibits, and embark on a specialized tour of our Trolley Display Barn. We are uniquely positioned to give students vivid insight into one of the most transformative periods of American history. All programs align with Pennsylvania Core Standards.
Field Trip Programs
Our base field trip package lasts approximately 1.5 - 2 hours and costs $8 per student/chaperone. Optional STEAM modules, which are 30 or 60-minute student-centered, hands-on classroom activities, can be added onto your field trip for additional costs. Please see below for additional information.
Cost
- $8 per student / $8 per chaperone
- 1 teacher per class receives free admission. Bus drivers are always free!
15 student minimum or $120 minimum payment required to book a field trip. A nonrefundable $35 deposit is required to confirm your field trip. Reservations will not be held without a deposit. The remaining balance is due the day of your visit. No separate payments are accepted. Participants cannot pay individually.
Please let us know about any time restrictions when booking a field trip. Accommodations can be made to shorten any program.
Field trip includes:
- Time to explore the Welcome & Education Center
- Guided, interactive tour of the Trolley Display Barn
- Ride on a historic, fully-restored, antique trolley
Please note that the Museum Gift Shop is open by advanced request only during the school year. Please ask about availability during the booking process.
Availability
Starting in January 2024, field trips will be available during the winter months as well! Trolley rides will be dependent on current weather conditions. Field trips are available Mondays through Fridays, January through November. Dates and times are available on a first come, first serve basis. When requesting a field trip, please provide a preferred date and a backup date.
Special Event themed field trips are also available during certain times of the year. Further information is available at the bottom of this page. You can also call or email for additional information.
Group Size
We require a 1:10 adult-to-student ratio for all groups. Each trolley can accommodate up to 50 participants. If your group is larger than 50, we will schedule 2 trolleys for your visit. If your group is larger than 100, please contact the Educator to discuss options for your visit. There is a 15 student or $120 minimum required to book a field trip.
Cancellation
If you need to cancel your field trip, please contact the Educator by calling 724-228-9256 ext. 6011 or email education@patrolley.org as soon as possible. We will be more than happy to help you try and reschedule your visit. The $35 deposit is nonrefundable.
Questions? Please contact the Manager of STEAM and Education Programs at education@patrolley.org or by calling 724-228-9256 ext. 6011.
STEAM Module Themes
Each module listed here is an additional $2 per participant and adds approximately 30 minutes to your field trip. See below for additional information about each module. Interested in a module theme for a different grade level? Please contact the Educator to discuss a customized field trip package.
All programs align with Pennsylvania Core Standards.
T is for Trolley, Transportation, and Ticket! Explore different kinds of streetcars in the Trolley Display Building, hear the amazing story of a special trolley’s journey, and make a craft to take home.
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: Preschool, Kindergarten
- Content Themes: Learning Through Play, History, Art, Reading, English, Transportation
- PA Standards: 1.3 PK.i, 1.3 PJK, 1.4 PK.W, AL.1 PK.A, 2.3 PK.A.1, 5.3 PK.C, 1.2 K.B, 1.2 K.F, 1.3 K.J, 8.2 K.B, 9.1.V K.E, 10.5 K.C
Investigate all different kinds of motion and transportation, from wheels on a bus to electric trolleys! Examine different kinds of streetcars in the Trolley Display Building, discover how people used trolleys in the past, and practice giving real trolley signals. Ding ding - that’s trolley for “let’s go!”
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: Preschool, Kindergarten
- Content Themes: Learning Through Play, Science, Math, History, Transportation
- PA Standards: 3.1 PK.A.1, 3.2 PK.B.1, AL.1.PK.1, 2.3 PK.A.1, 5.3 PK.C, 2.3 K.A.1, 3.1 K.A.1, 8.2 K.B
Explore the science behind magnetism! Identify magnetic and nonmagnetic materials, investigate how electricity can be used to create a magnetic field and how magnets can be used as motors, then discover how motors make a trolley move.
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade
- Content Themes: Pennsylvania History, Technology, Electricity, Science, Transportation Technology, Historical Analysis & Skills Development
- PA Standards: 3.3.PK.A7, 3.2.PK.B1, 3.2.K.A1, 3.2.K.B7, 3.2.1.B1, 3.2.1.B7, 3.2.3.B4, 3.4.3.E5
This electrifying experience will allow students to investigate energy and motion, identify the states of matter, and explore the differences between static and current electricity. Students will also discover how people in the past used electricity to change their lives for the better with the invention of the electric trolley.
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade
- Content Themes: Pennsylvania History, Technology, Electricity, Science, Transportation Technology, History, Historical Analysis & Skills Development
- PA Standards: 3.2 K.A.1, 3.2 K.A.5, 3.2 K.B.6, 3.2 K.B.7, 3.1 1.A.9, 3.2 1.A.5, 3.2 1.B.1, 3.2 1.B.7, 3.2 2.B.2, 3.2 2.B.7
Explore the world of Engineering! Discover the Engineer Design Process and explore how real-life engineers design, build, and test structures like bridges, streetcars, and buildings, then experiment with the strength of shapes in an engineering classroom challenge!
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade
- Content Themes: Engineering, Technology, Math, Physics, Science, Problem-Solving
- PA Standards: AL.1.KA, AL.2 K.D, 2.3 K.A.2, 2.4 K.A.1, 3.2 K.A.1, 5.4 K.B, AL.1 1.A, AL.1 1.C, 2.3 1.A.1, 2.4 1.A.1, 3.2 1.A.6, AL.1 2.A, AL.1 2.C, AL.3 2.A, 2.3 2.A.1, 2.4 2.A.1, 3.1 2.B.6, 3.2 2.A.6
Explore the science behind motors! Explore how motors power trolleys, investigate how electricity can be used to create a magnetic field and how magnets can be used as motors, then build a simple motor.
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade
- Content Themes: Pennsylvania History, Technology, Electricity, Science, Transportation Technology, Historical Analysis
- PA Standards: 3.2.3.B4, 3.4.3.E5, 3.4.3.D2, 3.4.3.E3, 3.2.4.B1, 3.2.4.B4, 3.4.4.B4, 3.2.5.B4, 3.4.5.A1
Discover how trolleys connected towns and cities with a focus on the Pittsburgh area! Explore historical artifacts from the Trolley Era and identify important inventions in transportation throughout history.
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: 3rd, 4th, 5th
- Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Technology, Transportation Technology, Society & the Development of Technology
- PA Standards: 8.1.3-5.A, 8.2.3.B, 8.2.3-5.C
In this electrifying program, students will investigate the electricity that powers a streetcar! Test the conductivity of various materials, compare insulators and conductors, then build a functional simple circuit using conductive dough.
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: 3rd, 4th, 5th
- Content Themes: Electricity, Science, Pennsylvania History, Technology, Transportation Technology, Society & the Development of Technology
- PA Standards: 3.2.3-5.B4, 3.4.3-5.E3, 3.4.3-5.E5, 3.4.4-5.B4, 3.2.P.B4
Investigate the forces that power trolleys and other modes of transportation, construct circuits, and experiment with switches and resistors. Additionally, students will identify conditions and factors that led to the rise, decline, and reemergence of both the trolley and electric transportation.
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th
- Content Themes: Science, Electricity, Technology, Engineering, Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Transportation Technology
- PA Standards: 3.2.6.B2, 3.2.7.A2, 3.2.6-8.B4, 3.4.7.B3, 3.4.7.B4, 3.4.6.E5, 8.1.6-8.A, 8.2.6-8.C
Explore how trolleys connected surrounding urban and suburban areas and identify important innovations in transportation throughout history. Investigate industrial growth and urban development while diving into city planning, energy sources, and the problems facing the future of transportation.
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th
- Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Transportation Technology, City Planning, Science, Math, Engineering
- PA Standards: 3.4.6-8.B1, 3.4.6-8.B2, 3.4.6-8.B3, 3.4.6-8.B4, 8.1.6-8.A, 8.2.6-8.A, 8.2.6-8.C
Heinz®, Campbell’s Soup, LifeSavers®, and Coca-Cola®. Sound familiar? We see and hear ads everywhere, and the Trolley Era was no different. View samples of historic car cards, then try your hand at designing one of your very own.
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10, 11th, 12th
- Content Themes: Art, Marketing, History, Social Studies, Historical Analysis, Pennsylvania History, Transportation
- PA Standards: AL.3 K.A, AL.3 K-2.B, 6.2.K-2.C, 8.3.3-12.C, 9.1.V K-2.A, 9.1.V K-2.B, 9.K-2 2.D, 9.1.3-12 A, 9.1.3-12 B, 15.9.2-12.A, 15.9.5-12.L
What is a trolley token and how is it any different from a coin? Investigate the history behind tokens and coins and explore their metallic makeup. Discover museum practices of preservation and restoration, then use science to conduct an experiment to determine what everyday household materials might make grimy coins shine again!
- Program Length: 30 minutes
- Grade Levels: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10, 11th, 12th
- Content Themes: Science, Chemistry, History, Social Studies, Math, Pennsylvania History, Transportation
- PA Standards:
- 2.3.A1, 8.2.3.B, 8.3.3.C
- 4.4.C2, 3.4.4.C3, 3.4.4.D1, 8.2.4.B, 8.3.4.C
- 4.5.B4, 8.2.5.B, 8.3.5.C
- 2.6.A.2, 8.2.6.B, 8.3.6.C
- 2.7.A1, 3.2.7.A2, 8.2.7.B, 8.3. 7.C
- 2.8.A2, 8.2.8.B, 8.3.8.C
- 1.9.A, 8.2.9.B
- 2.C.A.1, 3.2.C.A4, 8.1.U.A, 8.2.U.B
- 2.12.A1, 3.2.12.A4
Deluxe STEAM Module Themes
Each module listed here is an additional $4 per participant and adds approximately 60 minutes to your field trip. See below for additional information about each module. Interested in a module theme for a different grade level? Please contact the Educator to discuss a customized field trip package.
All programs align with Pennsylvania Core Standards.
Work together to lay down tracks and build a trolley town with the help of LEGO® DUPLO® Coding Express. Students will explore cause and effect relationships, early coding concepts such as loops and sequencing, and become problem-solvers who enhance their creativity, collaboration, and communication skills.
- Program Length: 60 minutes
- Grade Levels: Preschool, Kindergarten (ages 3-6)
- Content Themes: Engineering, Math, Science and Technology, Coding, Social and Emotional Development, Language and Literacy
- PA Standards:
- AL.4 PK.A, AL.4 PK.C, 2.1 PK.A.2, 2.2 PK.MP, 2.3 PK.A.1, 2.3 PK.A.2, 3.1 PK.A.9, 3.2 PK.A.1, 3.2 PK.B.1, 3.2 PK.B.5, 15.4 PK.B, 15.4 PK.D, 15.4 PK.G, 16.1 PK.C, 16.2 PK.A
- AL.2.K.B, AL.4 K.A, AL.4 KC, 2.1 KA.1, 2.3 K.A.1, 2.3 K.A.2, 3.2. K.A.1, 15.4 K.A, 15.4 K.B, 15.4 K.D, 15.4 K.G, 10.5 K.B, 16.1 K.C, 16.2 K.A
Next stop, Brick Station! Complete LEGO® themed building challenges while exploring geometry, investigating transportation, and designing unique brick masterpieces.
- Program Length: 60 minutes
- Grade Levels: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
- Content Themes: Engineering, Math, Art, History, Transportation, Problem-Solving
- PA Standards: AL.1 K-2.C, AL.3 K-2.A, AL.3 K-2.B, AL.4 K-2.C, 2.1 K-2.A.3, 2.3 K-2.A.1, 2.3 K-2.A.2, 2.4 K-2.A.1, 9.1.V K-2.B, 9.1.V K-2.E, 10.5 K-2.A, 2.3.3-5, 3.4.3-5.B.1, 3.4.3-5.C1, 3.4.3-5.C2, 3.4.3-5.E, 8.2.3-5.B
Get ready to build, test, and try, try again! Investigate the strength of shapes, experiment with the forces of tension and compression, then identify the five types of engineers and learn to create with the help of the Engineer Design Process.
- Program Length: 60 minutes
- Grade Levels: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
- Content Themes: Engineering, Math, Science, History, Physics, Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking
- PA Standards: AL.1 K-2.C, AL.3 K-2.A, AL.3 K-2.B, AL.4 K-2.C, 2.3 K-2.A.1, 2.3 K.-2.A.2, 2.4 K-2.A.1, 3.2 K-2.A.1, 3.2.K-2.A.6, 10.5 K-2.A, 3.2.3-5.B, 3.4.3-5.C1, 3.4.3-5, C2, 3.4.3-5.D1
Combine history, art, and science in this very colorful adventure! Explore the artwork and history of the many different custom paint jobs featured on Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania trolleys, including the psychedelic “Mod Desire” and the Pittsburgh favorite “Terrible Trolley,” then design your very own streetcar and shrink it down to pocket size to take home!
- Program Length: 60 minutes
- Grade Levels: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
- Content Themes: History, Social Studies, Pennsylvania History, Art, Science
- PA Standards: K-2 AL.1 K-2.A, AL.2 K-2.A, 3.2 K-2.A.6, 3.2 K-2.B.7, 6.5 K.A, 8.2 K-2.B, 9.1.V K-2.A, 9.1.V K-2.E, 15.4 K-2.M3-5: 8.2 3-5.B, 8.2 3-5.C, 8.3 3-5.B, 3.2.3 A4, 3.1.3-5 C4, 9.2.3-5.A
Investigate the shocking forces that power streetcars! Compare and contrast static and current electricity in a series of experiments, test the conductivity of various materials, then build simple and parallel circuits to power lights, speakers, and more.
- Program Length: 60 minutes
- Grade Levels: 3rd, 4th, 5th
- Content Themes: Electricity, Science, Pennsylvania History, Technology, Transportation Technology, Society & the Development of Technology
- PA Standards: 3.2.3-5.B4, 3.4.3-5.E3, 3.4.3-5.E5, 3.4.4-5.B4, 3.2.P.B4
What is a trolley token and how is it any different from a coin? Investigate the history behind tokens and coins and explore their metallic makeup. Discover museum practices of preservation and restoration, then conduct multiple experiments to explore the pH scale and determine if everyday household substances might make grimy coins shine again!
- Program Length: 60 minutes
- Grade Levels: 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10, 11th, 12th
- Content Themes: Science, Chemistry, History, Social Studies, Math, Pennsylvania History, Transportation
- PA Standards:
- 2.3.A1, 8.2.3.B, 8.3.3.C
- 4.4.C2, 3.4.4.C3, 3.4.4.D1, 8.2.4.B, 8.3.4.C
- 4.5.B4, 8.2.5.B, 8.3.5.C
- 2.6.A.2, 8.2.6.B, 8.3.6.C
- 2.7.A1, 3.2.7.A2, 8.2.7.B, 8.3. 7.C
- 2.8.A2, 8.2.8.B, 8.3.8.C
- 1.9.A, 8.2.9.B
- 2.C.A.1, 3.2.C.A4, 8.1.U.A, 8.2.U.B
- 2.12.A1, 3.2.12.A4
Heinz®, Campbell’s Soup, LifeSavers®, and Coca-Cola®. Sound familiar? Ads are everywhere, but what does it take to create an effective advertisement? View samples of historic car cards, work with a fictional budget to try your hand at designing an effective streetcar advertisement card, then persuade others to buy your product.
- Program Length: 60 minutes
- Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10, 11th, 12th
- Content Themes: Art, Business and Marketing, Math, History, Social Studies, Historical Analysis, Pennsylvania History
- PA Standards: 8.3.6-12.C, 9.1.6-12 A, 9.1.6-12 B, 15.4.8.A, 15.6.8.G, 15.8.8-12.T, 15.8.8-12.A, 15.9.12.B
COMING SOON: What makes a city a city? What do cities of the past teach us about urban planning moving forward? Students will have a chance to work collaboratively and apply science and math concepts to come up with innovative ways to create their vision of a perfect futuristic city.
- Program Length: 60 minutes
- Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10, 11th, 12th
- Content Themes: History, Social Studies, City Planning, Science, Math, Engineering, Transportation Technology, Historical Analysis & Skills Development
- PA Standards: 3.4.10.A, 3.4.12.A., 3.4.10.A2, 3.4.12.A3, 3.4.10.B1, , 3.4.10.C1., 3.4.12.C2, 8.1.9.A., 8.1.U.A., 8.2.9.C., 8.2.U.C., 8.2.12.C., 8.1.6.A, 8.2.6.A., 8.2.9.A, 8.2.12.A, 8.2.6.C, 8.2.9.C., 8.2.12.C.
COMING SOON: Explore the history of the Trolley Era and streetcars like never before! Students must work collaboratively to solve a series of intriguing puzzles and ciphers. It’s a race against the clock in this Escape Room themed field trip!
- Program Length: 60 minutes
- Grade Levels: 9th, 10, 11th, 12th
- Content Themes: History, Social Studies, Math, Science, Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving
- PA Standards: 3.4.10.B4, 3.4.10.E5, 8.2.9.B, 8.2.U.B., 8.2.12.B, 8.2.9.C, 8.2.U.C. 8.2.12.C
Questions? Contact us at education@patrolley.org or by calling 724-228-9256 ext. 6011.
Special Event Field Trips
Field Trip - Special Events
We also offer limited-time Special Event themed field trips throughout the year! These field trips are only available on the weekdays leading up to an event. They are not available for booking on an event day. Each field trip event has its own special pricing.
Check back soon for upcoming Special Event field trips!