This site contains a sample of the businesses or groups in the Midlands that offer educational programs/tours geared for school-age children. Additionally, you will find a few miscellaneous resources for teachers. This information is by no means all-inclusive, and I encourage all educators to ask businesses they patronize if they offer any discounts or tours. Many times businesses will provide programs or tours if you just ask them.
Adluh Flour offers free tours every Thursday at 9:30. The tour of the facility starts takes you through the entire process of how grain is milled into flour. At the end of the tour refreshments and biscuits are provided. Students must be in 3rd grade or higher and there is maximum of 30 people. Reservations are required and are made for the whole year every August 2nd.
The Columbia Fire Department has offers free tours of its museum and/or any station. Tours are offered Monday through Thursday and require two weeks notice. You may go to the museum for an unguided visit without an appointment. The museum is closed on weekends, but with an appointment you can arrange for a weekend tour. For more information about the museum, visit its website.
The Museum of Art offers K-12 tours and educational programs for a fee ($2 per K4-12 student) and a 15 student minimum. The Museum's Program Guide for Teachers contains the specific info about various programs and how to go about making a reservation.
This office provides poster, books, films, lesson plans and teacher workshops aimed at increasing public awareness of recycling. DHEC also has a Kids' Page with scholarship information and nutrition activities/recipes for children.
USC's College of Engineering provides a variety of school visitation programs to support K-12 science and technology teachers that promote science learning and career awareness in the engineering field. There are programs for every grade level. For a detailed description of the programs, please visit their website.
PSD is a recycling center that has an education center and offers free tours. They also have teacher workshops the 2nd Thursday of each month and free materials for teachers (coloring books, posters, etc.).
Tours of the recycling center must be scheduled in advance, for groups as large as 60, and the tours last 1 1/2 hours.
The Riverbanks Zoo provides programs that were designed to comply with state science standards. Programs must be reserved in advance, are designed for classes of 30 or less, and require a program fee of $25. There are single grade programs for grades 1-6, elementary school multi-grade programs, and secondary-level programs. For specific information about the zoo's programs, please visit their Education Department's website.
The park offers educational programs that emphasis the importance of interdependence in the wilderness. There is an educator's guide available by mail that describes the programs. There are also weekend programs that are open to the public. The weekend programs and general park information (including directions) are located at the park's website.
SCDNR has K-12 school visit programs, tours, teacher workshops, camping opportunities and much more! Several programs require a fee, and most require advanced booking. SCDNR programs are in high demand and many must be scheduled by phone for each year on the day after Labor Day. Please visit their education programs website for information
SCDNR also has a Fish and Tackle Loaner Program that provides rods, reels, and small tackle boxes free of charge, and you must maintain them. If interested contact Bebe Harrison, Aquatic Education Specialist, (803) 737-8483, nancyhar@scdnr.state.sc.us
The State House is available for free group tours. Included in the tour is a history of the building. The building is open M-F from 9-5; Saturday 10-5 and the first Sunday of the month from 1-5. Guided tours are offered M-F at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30,1:30,2:30 and 3:30; Saturdays 10:30, 11:30, 1:30 and 3:30; and the first Sunday of the Month at 1:30 and 3:30.
Note: As of October 1, 1999 guided tours will be offered twelve times a day, 9-12 and 1:30 - 3:30 on the hour and half hour. This schedule runs through the first week of June 2000.
The State Museum offers tours (guided and unguided), staff taught lessons and programs, teacher workshops, and educational resources. The fee schedule varies depending on how large of a group and whether or not you have reservations. Generally, the guided tours and programs require 6 weeks notice. Please visit the museum's Teacher Handbook webpage for more explicit information.
The State offers free tours of its facilities including the newsroom and advertising department. The tours are scheduled at 15 minute intervals, are limited to 20 people per walk through, and are recommended for grades 3 and up. Reservations are required and must be made at least 2 weeks in advance by calling the above phone number.
WIS offers free tours of its studios, newsrooms and weather center Tuesdays at 10:00am and Thursdays at 4:00pm. Tours must be scheduled in advance, and last 30-45 minutes, depending on the interest of the group and the questions asked. Due to the nature of the tour, it is recommended for children at least 11 years old. The maximum group size is 25.
Barnes and Noble offers teachers an Educator's Discount Card that entitles teachers a 20% discount off the publishers list price on a single purchase boos for use in the classroom. To get the card, go to your local Barnes and Noble with some proof of employment (like a pay-stub).
Zany Brainy is a unique children's toy store that offers daily activities for children. They also provide educator resources. A new store has opened in the Harbison area (in the shopping center behind Just For Feet). For more information about the store and their events visit the website: Zany Brainy
Educational Wonderland is a teacher supply store. They have a catalog and two locations in the Columbia area:
page created by Janet E. Birsch Kenney, comments or suggestions: jbirschkenney@yahoo.com