Whitaker Center
Central PA’s Nonprofit Center for the Arts

Whitaker on Wheels

Bring STEAM Programming directly to you with the Whitaker on Wheels van
powered by UPMC Pinnacle Foundation!

Our Whitaker On Wheels program, commonly referred to as WOW, offers preschools, daycare centers, and elementary schools the opportunity to bring interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) programming directly to the children they look after and teach. 

Whitaker on Wheels

Scheduling

To schedule WOW programming for your preschool, daycare center or elementary school, please complete the WOW Reservation Form below, but first, make sure to check our availability (subject to change)!

 


Pricing 

PROGRAM LENGTH AGE RANGE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS PRICING
45-60 minutes (depending on program selected) Ages 4+ 30 or less $350
20-30 minutes

Ages 2-3 

*must be able to stand and walk independently)

15 or less $50*

* The toddler (30-minute) programs must be booked in conjunction with one of the 4+ (60-minute) programs. It is not offered separately.

Any program over the maximum number of participants must book more than 1 program; can be held on the same day in conjunction with participating programs.

Travel over 60 miles from Whitaker Center will incur additional charges.

Refund Policy: Partial refunds will only be offered if cancellation occurs more than 30 days in advance. Refunds will not be issued for no-shows.


Programs

Toddler Programs

Designed for Toddlers ages 2-3 

*All Toddlers attending toddler program must be able to stand and walk independently for safety

Sensory Explorers 30 min (Ages 2-3, ideal number of participants, 10-15, max 15) 

Little scientists will use four of our five senses as we make observations with our eyes, ears, noses, and hands (no tasting please!)  Experiment in sensory bins, explore novel materials, and strengthen the observation skills that are the foundation of all STEM disciplines.

Jr. Gravity Manipulators 30 min (Ages 2-3, ideal number of participants, 10-15, max 15)

The foundation of any scientific discovery is noticing cause and effect, our littlest scientists will have the opportunity to make those observations with our explorations. Does Everything that goes up always come down? We will use music, movement and novel materials to observe gravitational force on objects.

Preschool Programs

Designed for Preschool, PreKindergarten and Kindergarten students

*Program time length will depend on the number of participants, the average length of a WOW is about 50-55min. 

Dino Dig 45-65 min (Ages 3-6, ideal number of participants, 20, max 30)

Calling all paleontologists! Let’s explore all things dinosaur. We’ll learn how paleontologists find, collect, transport, and assemble dinosaur bones through hands-on activities and creative projects. It’s a roaring good time!

Push and Pull Games 45-65 min (Ages 3-6, ideal number of participants, 20, max 30) 

Push and pull are the forces that make things go. We’ll explore these forces through flying, rolling, and moving toys. Our little scientists will make observations about the toys, experiment with their movement, and draw conclusions based on what they have seen. Let’s get moving together!

Fizz, Bubble, Wow 45-65 min (Ages 3-6, ideal number of participants, 20, max 30)

*This program is not available for multiple sessions in the same day. 

What happens when you mix things together? Let’s find out through Chemistry! We’ll explore the science of color, bubbles and see what else fizzes up. These younger scientist friendly experiments will allow our little chemists to draw connections between art and science.

Wacky Weather 45-65 min (Ages 3-6, ideal number of participants, 20, max 30)

What will the weather be like today? Let’s explore the water cycle, seasons, wind and rain in this active weather introduction. Our young meteorologists will get to create a unique collaborative piece of art, as well as a mini windsock to take home!  

School Age Programs 

Designed for 1st-5th graders

*Program time length will depend on the number of participants, the average length of a WOW is about 50-55min. 

Human  Body Connections Coming Soon!

Mighty Engineers 45-65 min (Ages 6-10, ideal number of participants, 24, max 30) 
Are you a better engineer than the 3 Little Pigs? Can your home design hold up not only to the Big, Bad, Wolf, but to the Forces of Nature as Well? Find out by thinking like an architect engineer to make a mighty building that holds up to earthquakes, rain storms, and high winds. We’ll use the engineering design process and teamwork to keep our buildings standing in these tricky natural challenges.

Gravity Manipulators 45-65 min (Ages 6-10, ideal number of participants, 24, max 30)
Nothing can withstand the law of gravity, or can it? Through the use of centripetal force, can we get objects to defy the laws of gravity? Or will everything come crashing down? These experiments and challenges will encourage young physicists to activate their critical thinking skills and foster a natural curiosity for the world around them. 

Marvelous Matter 45-65 min (Ages 6-10, ideal number of participants, 24, max 30)

Have you ever wondered why some objects are magnetic, while others aren’t? Or why combining some chemicals creates big reactions while others do nothing at all? Let’s explore some physical and chemical properties of matter and learn how truly marvelous the world around us is!

 

 


 Thank you to the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation for powering this amazing, mobile STEAM education tool!

UPMC Pinnacle Foundation

 

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