Field Trips

A field trip to the Paper Discovery Center (PDC) integrates science, art and history with an inspiring and relevant industry experience. Housed within the historic Atlas Paper Mill, overlooking the Fox River, field trip participants will develop an appreciation for Wisconsin’s rich heritage in the fields of science and the paper industry.

IMG_0785.jpg

2019-20 Field Trips

Paper Discovery Center field trips include a staff-led, handmade, papermaking activity and one additional demonstration for your group. Our field trips can accommodate student or civic groups numbering 15-60. Activities are developmentally appropriate for ages 4-104 and children under 4 will not be included in field trip activities. Participants will be divided into smaller groups. During your two hour visit each group will experience the following:

  • 10-minute introduction

  • 40-minute guided papermaking activity

  • 40-minute staff demonstration

  • 30-minute self-tour of the PDC exhibits

We require 1 chaperone per 5 students.  Additional chaperones are charged the daily adult admission price.

Maximum number of students is 60 and the minimum number is 15

 

Field Trip Program Information

 
pine-3426245_1920.jpg

pre-k and kindergarden

Trees

A fun activity for the younger students. Learn parts of a tree, products made from trees, forestry careers and animals that call the forest their homes. All students can participate.

 
 
PaperStrength_website_2.jpg

grades 1 - 5

Static Electricity 

Magnets and the power of lightning fascinate people of all ages.  We use electricity every day to power a multitude of devices that we take for granted.  Most people, however, do not understand much about electricity.  We will uncover its mysteries by exploring static electricity and provide several shocking demonstrations (using bubbles and a Barbie doll) with our Van de Graaff generator.

 


Paper Strength   

Sponsored by Scheels and the SECURA Insurance Company Charitable Fund.  

Through this demonstration your students will form a hypothesis about how much weight a sample of paper will hold.  Students go from theory to practice as they physically test their hypothesis.  Typically, we test brown paper bags, copier paper, newspaper and a paper towel.  If time allows, we will even show the strength of a paper cup.

 
website_handmadepaperpic.jpg

ages 4 to 104

Handmade Paper

This is our most popular activity. Using paper already on hand, we will take the students, step by step, through the process of making a brand new piece of paper—recycling at its finest! Completely hands-on activity, it is an experience that students won’t forget.