STEAM field trip: Reading, PA
October 17, 2019
STEAM goes on the road this month to check out some science, tech, art, and history in Reading, PA!
(This can help fulfill your PA History requirement, too.)
This will be a long day and the kids will go home tired, but it will hopefully be a memorable and worthwhile experience!
UPDATE: We were not able to find a reasonably priced charter bus, so we’re going to have to leave the driving up to you. If you are not able to go yourself but have students old enough to ride along with another family, let us know and we’ll try to help. The sign up form has a place you can indicate you need help with a ride.
We would like to get an approximate head count so that we can let the museums know ahead of time about how many people will coming in their doors at these times. If you are sure you are going, could you help us out by using the form listed below, and let us know you are coming. (You can still come if you don’t fill out the form. These places are open to the public all day. However, out of courtesy to the staff at the museums, we are going to try to give them a good estimate of the size of our group.) Also you can indicate if you need a ride or have extra places in your car.
Click here to let us know you are coming. Thanks!
Itinerary:
7:00 For anyone who wants to convoy– meet in the parking lot in front of Ollie’s (Hills Plaza, S. Atherton St.) This location makes the most sense since we will be heading down 322 south.
9:30-11:30: The “Goggleworks.” This is a former goggle factory turned into a major art center, with both exhibits and working artists demonstrating their crafts, from painting and drawing to sculpture and glass blowing. We will let them know we have a group coming so we can get in on whatever tours they might have going that morning. We will especially request glass blowing. Admission is free. For more information: https://goggleworks.org/
11:30-12:15: We recommend bringing a packed lunch that can be eaten inside or outside of Goggleworks museum, or in the car on the way to the next museum if you want to really maximize your time in the museums.
12:30- 2:15: The Berks Historical Museum: Lots of PA History here, and tours for K-12 are offered. Admission: $7 adults, $4 students, under 3 free. For more information: http://www.berkshistory.org/
2:30- 5:00: The Reading Public Museum: Many different types of exhibits, including history, art (even Japanese woodblock prints!), science and a planetarium. Hands-on activities, also, not just things to see. (You have the option of seeing a planetarium showing during this time, details TBA.) If you would like to know more about this museum, visit their website at: https://www.readingpublicmuseum.org/ Regular admission prices (we can’t get group rate because not enough people have committed ahead of time): Adult $10, student $6, 3 and under free.
AT READING PUBLIC MUSEUM: Planetarium shows available at 3:00 (“Stars”) and 4:00 (“Apollo 11”) at an additional cost ($6 adult, $5 student). You can decided whether or not to do the planetarium when you arrive that day.
5:00-6:00 Dinner break (there are lots of fast food restaurants close to the Reading Public Museum) If it happens to be a really nice day and you’ve packed your dinner, the museum has a large arboretum that is open until sunset, and you can eat a picnic supper outside.
6:00-6:30: Watch the sun set (and enjoy the amazing view) from the top of the famous “Pagoda.” We can try to drive together over to the Pagoda, but it is wise to have it on your GPS just in case. Free
6:30 Head for home and be back around 9:00.
PLEASE NOTE:
Since everyone is driving individually and we are not all on a bus together, you may tailor this schedule (somewhat) to suit your family. For instance, if you would like to skip the Pagoda and just head for home at 5:00, you are welcome to do so.
