School Programs: Visiting the Abbe
School programs at the Abbe offer students the opportunity to learn from the exhibits, as well as with objects. School programs are available year-round at the Abbe’s downtown Bar Harbor location, and seasonally at our trailside location in Acadia National Park.

  • $5 per student, minimum $50
  • Includes a 1-hour hands-on and/or interactive program and a 1-hour museum tour.
  • We ask that you provide at least one chaperone for every 10 students. Chaperones are free.
  • We can accommodate up to 50 students at one time; larger groups can be arranged with staggered start times.
     

Self-Guided Student Groups

  • $3 per student grades 6-12, free for students grades K-5, adults with group $4, at least one chaperone for every 5 children required for discounted rate, May-October
  • During November through April, during regular open hours (Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 am – 4 pm), there is no admission charge, but we ask that you have at least one chaperone for every 5 children
 

Abbe In Your Classroom
If you cannot bring your class to the Abbe Museum, we can come to you. Museum educators can deliver most of our programs in the classroom, and we have developed additional programs that can be presented to larger groups such as school assemblies.

  • $50 per hour of programming, plus round-trip mileage. If the program is multi-day, or a full day at more than 2 hours travel time from the Abbe Museum, per diem and overnight lodging may be charged, at rates agreed upon in advance. There may be additional charges for custom programs.

 

School Programs currently available:

Storytelling

Young students enjoy two stories to learn more about the Wabanaki Nations. Using puppets and props, students become part of the story. Teachers have the option of including an art activity or a brief exhibit tour after the stories are complete. Suggested grade level: K-4th grade, Duration 1 hour.

Trade Economies

Students will explore the differences between Wabanaki hunters and gatherers and the farming communities of southern Maine, learn about hunter and gatherer economies through hands-on activities, and compare with a farming economy. Moving through time, student will examine objects common for trade with the first Europeans to Maine, and later the transition to a cash-based economy. Suggested grade level: 4-6th grade, Duration 1 hour.

 

Exploring Artifacts

Students use real and reproduction artifacts to learn how archaeologists can tell us what life was like before the Wabanaki had contact with Europeans explorers and traders. Students will also examine how contact with Europeans changed Wabanaki practices. Suggested grade level: 2-5th grade, Duration 1 hour.

Cultural Differences

Students will learn how environments influence the way different Native people lived.  Students will explore how the Wabanaki lived and thrived as hunters and gathers in Maine’s natural environment, and compare this to Native people in the American Southwest who live as farmers and herders. Suggested grade level: 4-6th grade, Duration 1 hour.

 

Basket Comparisons

Through hands-on study students learn about the different types of baskets made by Wabanaki weavers, and the materials and techniques used. Students then use their newfound knowledge to play the role of curator and document a “new addition” to the Abbe Museum’s Collection. Suggested grade level: 4-6th grade, Duration 1 hour.

Deconstructing Stereotypes

During this interactive program, Abbe Museum educators examine and explain stereotypes about Native Americans commonly found in the pop culture and media depictions. Through discussion, students will have the opportunity to directly address stereotypes they may have encountered and learn how to move beyond these. Suggested grade level: 7-12th grade, Duration 1 hour.  

 
 

Educator Resources

As a leader in the state for Wabanaki education, the Abbe Museum offers many resources for teachers. We offer a wide range of classroom and reference material for use by educators, available for download. The Abbe also provides professional development opportunities for teachers, including workshops and in-service trainings.

 
 

For more information about any of these educational resources, contact us at educator@abbemuseum.org or call (207) 288-3519.