Discovery Kits
We have developed a series of educational outreach kits that can be borrowed for in-classroom activities or special events.
To borrow any of these kits, contact us at artifacts@rosslandmuseum.ca or 250-362-7722
Indigenous Basketry of the Region Kit
Our Regional Indigenous Basketry explores the different weaving and dyeing techniques used by this region’s Indigenous Peoples. With a focus on the Sinixt Peoples, students will explore weaving, dying, food collection, and Indigenous language through a series of activities. From designing a basket to making a traditional Sinixt recipe, this kit provides a glimpse into the traditions of this area’s first peoples. This kit is suitable for grades kindergarten to grade 7, with curriculum links to Social Studies, Arts, Science, and Language Arts.
Drawn to History Kit
Drawn to History is where art and history meet. With historical photos and artifacts as inspiration, the activities in this kit take students through perspective drawing, contour shading, drawing faces, and contemporary issues with indigenous rock art. This kit is suitable for grades 5 to 12 (may be altered for lower grades), with strong curriculum connections in art and social studies.
Local Ecology Kit
This discovery kit is perfect for those teachers and students that are interested in learning more about the Kootenay-Boundary’s plant and animal life. The kit includes five activities based around identifying local plants and animals, invasive species, and indigenous use. You even figure out how to measure a tree with a straw! This kit is suitable for kindergarten to grade 7, with curriculum links to Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics.
Rock Detectives Kit
Rock Detectives teaches students about geology in a fun and interactive way. With activities based around mineral and rock identification, fluorescent minerals, and mining equipment, this kit provides an introduction to the basics of geology. Supplied in the kit are over 40 mineral specimens, testing kits, and examples of prospecting equipment. Rock Detectives is geared towards grades 4 to 7, with curriculum links to Science, Social Studies, and Applied Design, Skills and Technologies. Adaptations for lower grades may be available.
We would like to thank the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance for contributing to the development of these kits.
From the Royal BC Museum:
Writing on the Wall
This classroom kit explores the history of Chinese Immigration and the head tax.
Includes lesson plans, replica poetry on wall plaster, video with display screen, 6 decks of Bamboo Shoots classroom set, and more.
Having a Voice - Voting Rights & Democracy in BC
This education kit explores the history of voting, elections, and democracy in British Columbia.
Species at Risk Mini Museums
We currently have 3 kits to choose from: Hotwater Physa, Spadefoot Toad, and the Western Bumblebee.
Includes info cards and short activities. The boxes fold out to make a complete mini museum display.
Before you use these kits: Visit the Royal BC Museum’s Learning Portal Pathway on Species at Risk to learn more about the animals featured.
To borrow any of these kits, please contact us
by email at artifacts@rosslandmuseum.ca or by phone at 250-362-7722
Senior Memory Discovery Kits
We’ve developed a series of discovery kits, geared towards seniors, to help get the nostalgia and memories flowing! Each of our discovery kits includes activities, artifacts, information cards to guide exploration, prompt questions to help foster conversation, and a log book to share your experiences and memories with other users.
These kits were developed with support from the BC Arts Council and the New Horizons for Seniors program.
WWII Home Front
Our WWII Home Front discovery kit explores the Canadian experience during WWII, with specific examples and stories from Rossland. This kit features an authentic A.R.P. helmet, archival reproductions, photographs, and music from the era.
Activities: poetry exploration, wartime knitting
Rossland Sports
The Rossland Sports discovery kit explores the many sports that Rosslanders have and continue to partake in. Highlighted sports include skiing, mountain biking, lacrosse, baseball/softball, hockey, skating, and curling. This kit features several pieces of sporting equipment, photographs, videos, and reproductions from our archive, and several books on Rossland sports.
Activity: film exploration
Cooking
Our Cooking discovery kit explores something that binds us all together…food! This kit features authentic mid-20th century cooking and food-related artifacts, photographs from the archive, and a heritage cookbook comprised of recipes from our cookbook collection.
Activity: make a recipe
Rossland History & Events
This kit explores major themes and events in Rossland’s 125+ year history. Featuring artifacts from events like Golden City Days and the 1988 Husky World Cup, photographs and reproductions from the archive, and interview clips from our Rossland Memories Project and recent digitization work, this kit is the go-to kit for reminiscing about Rossland’s history!
Activity: audio clip exploration
Rossland Businesses & Organizations
Our Rossland Businesses & Organization discovery kit explores some of Rossland’s best-known businesses and organizations. Highlighted in this kit are the Rossland Ski Clubs, fraternal societies like the Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, and Eagles, Rossland Light Opera Players, the Hunter Brothers, West Kootenay Power & Light Company, and the Capitol Theatre. The kit contains artifacts and brochures from some of the groups and businesses listed as well as others.
Activity: film exploration
