Experience the exciting history of the Trolley Era through a field trip to the Trolley Museum!
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.
Safety: Please view our Covid-19 policy updates.
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum encourages requests from schools, youth organizations, homeschool groups, or other educational groups such as Scouts. The Museum Educator and staff can adapt the field trip to create customized experiences for students.
Field Trips (on-site)
Field Trips – The Base Package
Our base field trip package lasts approximately 1 – 1.5 hours and costs $8 per student/chaperone. Optional 30 or 60 minute modules can be added onto your field trip for additional costs.
An in-person field trip includes:
- Trolley Museum exhibits
- Themed, interactive tour of the Trolley Display Barn (themes include: History, Electricity, or Careers in Transportation)
- Ride on a historic, fully-restored, antique trolley
Please let us know about any time restrictions when booking a field trip. Accommodations can be made to shorten any program.
Availability
Field trips are available Mondays through Fridays April 1st – November 30th. 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.
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. Due to staff and facility size, we are unable to accommodate more than 100 participants during one time slot. 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.
Cost
$8 per student
$8 per chaperone
1 teacher per class receives free admission
Bus drivers are always free!
- $2 per participant for each additional STEAM Module
- $4 per participant for each additional Deluxe STEAM Module
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. Deposits must be paid within three weeks of your field trip date. The remaining balance is due the day of your visit. No separate payments are accepted. Participants cannot pay individually.
Cancellation
If you need to cancel your field trip, please contact the Educator by calling 724-228-9256 ext. 302 or email education@patrolley.org as soon as possible. The $35 deposit is nonrefundable.
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.
Field Trip STEAM Modules
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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!”
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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!
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade
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
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade
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
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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.
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.
Field Trips Deluxe STEAM Modules
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: Next stop, Brick Station! Complete LEGO® themed building challenges while exploring geometry, designing with the Engineer Design Process, investigating transportation, and creating unique brick masterpieces.
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 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
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 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.
Program Description: 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.
Grade Level: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Content Themes: History, Social Studies, Math, Science, Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, Historical Analysis & Skills Development
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
Program Description: 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!
Virtual Field Trips!
Program Length
30 minutes to 1 hour.
Please let us know about any time restrictions when booking. Based on the needs of the group, we are able to offer shorter program times.
Availability
Monday through Friday, year round. There is no minimum head count.
Group Size
Recommended for up to 50 students or 10 screens.
Cost
$25 for 30 minutes; $50 for 45 minutes to 1 hour
Program Length: 30 minutes (recommended)
Essential Question: What is a trolley and why is it important?
Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Electricity, Technology & History
Program Description: Explore the Trolley Era with PTM’s Educator through a participatory virtual tour of the Car Barn and artifact share.
Program Length: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Essential Question: What is a trolley and who rode trolleys?
Content Themes: Learning through Play, Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Electricity, Technology & History
Program Description: Students are digitally introduced to trolleys as a means of transportation, what makes them go, and who rode them through a virtual tour of the Car Barn, streetcar story, artifact share, and activity.
Essential Question: Why do different methods of transportation exist?
Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Pennsylvania History, Electricity, Technology & History, Technology & Engineering Design, Transportation Technology
Program Description: Students will digitally explore the evolution of transportation from horse cars to electric streetcars through a virtual tour of PTM’s Car Barn, artifact share, and future transportation activity. Required materials: Paper and drawing implements. Extra: Blocks, legos, craft supplies
Essential Questions: What is the relationship between advertisements and trolleys?
Content Themes: Historical Analysis & Skills Development, Visual Arts, Historical and Cultural Contexts, Critical Response
Program Description: Utilizing visual literacy skills, students will explore car cards of products such as Heinz, Campbell’s and Coca-Cola, learn the importance of advertising product on streetcars, and try their hand at creating a car card.
Book your Field Trip TODAY!
*A $35 deposit is required to confirm all on-site field trip reservations. Reservations will not be held without a deposit. The remaining balance is due by the day of the visit. No separate payments are accepted and participants cannot pay individually. There is no deposit required for digital classroom programs; however payment is due prior to the scheduled program.
For more information or to book a field trip, please fill out the form below (Can’t load or submit the form? Click here to open it in a separate window!):
We want all those who visit the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum to have a fun and educational experience. To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit, please review the following guidelines and field trip information.
Dress Appropriately
All field trip participants, both students and adults, should dress for comfort and for weather. Field trips are an active experience. Our antique trolleys have high steps. We strongly recommend comfortable, closed-toed shoes and discourage flip-flops, high heels, or dress shoes.
Accessibility
All field trip programs are fully adaptable for persons with disabilities. When booking a field trip, please contact the Educator at education@patrolley.org or by calling 724-228-9256 ext. 302 so that we can work together to ensure a great experience for all.
Arrival Procedure
If arriving by school or group transportation, please keep students and adults on the vehicle until greeted by the Educator or staff member. At that time, the Educator or staff member will provide instructions about the visit. When students are being transported in personal vehicles, please request that they arrive no more than 30 minutes prior to the start of the field trip.
Please be on time. Delayed arrivals can disrupt both your schedule and ours. If you are running late, contact the museum at 724-228-9256 x301. The museum cannot guarantee the full scheduled time for late arrivals.
The only indoor restrooms at the museum are located in the Visitor Center and Events Room. Time will be allotted upon arrival for the use of restrooms prior to beginning the program.
Chaperones
We require a 1:10 adult-to-student ratio for all groups. Chaperones must remain with the group at all times. Please model and encourage good behavior. Engage with students and staff to provide guidance and encouragement throughout the visit. We ask you to please silence your cell phones and keep calls and texting to a minimum, as they serve as distractions and detract from the overall group experience.
Food
No food or drink is allowed inside of the Trolley Display Barn or on any of our trolleys.
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum does not provide any food or drink for education groups. Groups are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch and eat at the museum’s outdoor picnic area. Indoor seating may be available upon request at an additional cost; however, please note that this space may not be available on the date of your field trip. Refrigerators and microwaves are not available.
Storage
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum does not have anywhere for items to be stored during field trips. All hats, coats, backpacks, and valuables must be kept with your group at all times. We are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Museum Gift Shop
The Museum Gift Shop is open by advanced request only during the school year. Please ask about availability during the booking process.
Cancellations
If you are unable to keep your field trip reservation, please contact the Educator, at 724-228-9256 x302 or education@patrolley.org as soon as possible. The $35 deposit due to confirm all field trip reservations is nonrefundable.