Student Programs

Steel Worker Traveling Trunk

The Steel Worker Traveling Trunk helps deepen the understanding of the steel workers daily work experience and dangers they faced in the production of molten steel.  It is designed to expose children to a four-part, multi-faceted look at steel making.  Children are invited to explore this exciting subject matter through observation-based discussions, hands-on contact with the natural resources use in making steel, steel worker clothing and protective gear, and a creative personalized project.

Riverlife Traveling Trunk—Coming Soon!

Folk Artists in the Classroom

Traditional artists bring more to the classroom than just art–they also share language, culture, and customs.  From Italian bobbin lace makers to Native American beadworkers and African American tap dancers, Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area can provide you with a list of traditional artists who will enhance your curriculum and help you meet your educational standards.  Plus, it's fun!  Funding is available to bring artists into the schools.

Folklorist Residencies

Folklorist residencies focus on contemporary, living traditions, authentically transmitted within a cultural group. Regional cultural specialists collaborate with teachers in designing and implementing hands-on activities with teachers, students and the community.Residencies last 5 or more days and include teacher inservice workshops and hands-on activities with core groups. Folklorist residencies often also include visiting community folk artists and tradition bearers and students involved in fieldwork. Schools can coordinate folklorist residencies with other projects and artist residencies to provide the conceptual framework for multi-cultural understanding.

Folk and Traditional Artist Referrals

Looking for community folk artists and tradition bearers from the diverse cultural groups living in southwestern Pennsylvania? Rivers of Steel's Department of Cultural Conservation has conducted ethnographic surveys of many Southwestern Pennsylvania communities and identified some of the many folk artists and tradition bearers of the region. Community resource people can be involved in your school in interviews, visits, performances, demonstrations or multi-day artist residencies.

Folk Artist Training

Workshops to prepare regional folk artists to present and involve students in interactive traditional arts activities are conducted regularly.

Reference Library

Rivers of Steel is creating a reference collection of folklife education resources. The collection includes: classroom activities and curricular materials, profiles of model programs and publications of various groups' traditions.

Apprenticeship Exhibition

Tricks of the Trade is a interactive exhibition of beautiful photographs and information about traditional arts apprenticeships in Pennsylvania. A student treasure hunt activity guide accompanies the exhibition. This travelling exhibition is available for display at your school.

To learn more about any of these programs, call 412-464-4020 or email info@riversofsteel.com.