Lil’ Maple Syrup Producer
Understand methods of harvesting and producing maple syrup. All kids love maple syrup, but do they know where it comes from? The Museopark offers 4 workshops for your small apprentice maple syrup producers
Duration of workshops: 60 minutes
Maple Time! (formerly Sweet bites of maple)
A hands-on, playful workshop that connects nature and maple syrup production. Students are introduced to the tapping process and the steps involved in making maple syrup while handling authentic historical tapping tools. Through an active, movement-based activity, they explore the cycle of the seasons and the flow of maple sap, learning how these natural processes are connected. The workshop concludes with an observation game focused on leaf shapes to help identify different maple tree species and, if time allows, an activity where students equip a drawn character with maple tapping tools.
School levels: Kindergarten to Grade 2
From Tree to Table (formerly Maple on the table)
This interactive workshop encourages students to use their logic and observation skills to learn about maple syrup production. The session begins with an investigative activity: students, divided into five groups, handle an object related to maple harvesting and try to figure out its purpose before presenting it to the rest of the class. Next, students examine several photos of harvesting tools and arrange them in the chronological order of their introduction.
The workshop continues with a discussion of the effects of tapping on trees and strategies to minimize impact, including a hands-on activity simulating tree measurements for tapping. Throughout the session, students have the opportunity to handle a variety of historical tapping tools, making the learning experience practical and engaging.
School levels: Grade 3 to Grade 5
Gettin’ Sappy with It!
In this workshop, your students will recreate the party surrounding a communal maple harvest. The session begins with an investigative activity: students, divided into five groups, handle an object related to maple harvesting and try to figure out its purpose before presenting it to the rest of the class. Next, students examine several photos of harvesting tools and arrange them in the chronological order of their introduction.
After having tapped the trees, harvested the sap, and evaporated it into various products, we dance a traditional square dance. After dancing, ! Students will be encouraged to explore the many uses of maple products by coming up with their own recipe that includes a maple product.
School levels: Grade 6 to Grade 8