With the new school year underway, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the New York State Canal Corporation invite educators to take advantage of free lesson plans, virtual tours, videos, and field trips for students in grades 4–8 offered through the Erie Canal Learning Hub.
“These resources make it easier than ever for students and educators to connect with the Erie Canal. From its historic impacts to its modern-day operations, these materials use history, science, math, and the arts in ways that foster student learning both in and out of the classroom,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
Schools in New York State can register now for free Ticket-to-Ride field trips to designated museums and historic sites during the 2026-27 school year. More than 75,000 students, 75-percent from economically disadvantaged schools, have participated in this program since 2012.
The Erie Canal Learning Hub continues to grow with new lesson plans added each year. Students in grades 4 through 6 can now explore wildlife and wetlands along the Erie Canal through curricula developed in partnership with the Montezuma Audubon Center in Savannah.
Students in grades 6-8 can learn about canal shipwrecks discovered in the deep waters of Seneca Lake. These lessons provide a fascinating window into history, underwater archeology, bathymetry, invasive species, and water quality.
New York State Canal Corporation Director Ben Walsh said, “The New York State Canal System is multifaceted, which is why we provide educators with a variety of tools to teach the next generation all about this historic waterway. I thank our partners at the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor for continuing to develop such dynamic and engaging materials and opportunities to connect students to the Erie Canal’s past, present, and future.”
The Erie Canal Learning Hub includes videos, 3D tours, field trips, and curriculum materials. It is a joint initiative of Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and New York State Canal Corporation, with additional support from the National Park Service, National Park Foundation, and Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Field trip sign-up and curriculum resources are available at eriecanalway.org/learning-hub.
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