Arts in Education
Educator Hour
What is the Educator Hour?
The Erie 1 BOCES Arts in Education Educator Hours are free regional sessions that promote the exploration and engagement of local cultural centers in the Western New York region. All Educator Hours are designed to provide educators with new tools and materials to connect back to their school, classroom, and curriculum in any content area.
All Educator Hours are offered after school hours to remove the need for substitutes and sub plans. CTLE credit is awarded for each session.
This program was created with three main goals:
1. To Connect - To provide educators with connections to cultural centers in the region.
The Erie County region and surrounding communities has so many cultural centers that are not always considered when planning field trips, learning experiences, or local curriculum connections. These sessions are designed to increase exposure to educational supports in the community. Most sessions have the flexibility to connect to any content area.
2. To Collaborate - To increase educator collaboration!
Each session is filled with educators from a variety of districts and from a variety of content areas/grade levels. These sessions promote educational collaboration and idea sharing.
3. To Engage - To engage educators with new learning experiences and strategies to use in their school or classroom.
Educators will be well equipped to engage students with connections to their surrounding community through the tools and resources shared at each session.
We hope you will join us for an upcoming Educator Hour! See below for a list of all upcoming sessions.
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Explore Buffalo |
Experience our School Tour for the Silo City Tour-A unique interior and exterior walking tour where students learn the importance of grain elevators, the Erie Canal, industrialization, the history of Buffalo’s waterfront and grain industry, and more! Following the tour will be trivia about our other school tours at Duende bar/restaurant- the winners get a free drink! |
Past Educator Hours
2024-2025 School Year
KeyBank Center/Buffalo Sabres |
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September 26, 2024 This Educator Hour provided educators with insight on the inner workings of both the Buffalo Sabres and the KeyBank Center. They learned about the various roles and responsibilities within the center to create a portfolio of career opportunities to share back with their students.
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Shea's Performing Arts Center Arts Engagement and Education |
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October 3, 2024 Educators explored the world of theatre education and the many different approaches to creating ensemble, developing characters and fostering a culturally competent environment. Shea's Arts Engagement and Education strives to create a community of support for theatre educators. Participants also received a tour of Shea's!
https://www.sheas.org/arts-engagement-education/
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Buffalo Comedy Collective |
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November 25, 2024 Educators learned how improv principles of "yes, and", risk taking, and moving past failure apply to everyday life and the classroom. Through improv exercises and facilitated conversation, participants identified barriers to effective communication & teamwork, and discovered new ways to overcome them. No one was expected to be a seasoned comedian, but everyone did laugh; its funny how that works! Exercises involved light physical activity including walking, clapping, and (optional) jumping. All activities learned can be modified to accommodate folks of all abilities. Participants were recommended to wear closed toed shoes and attire that is easy to move around in (business casual works great). All you need to bring is a willingness to try something new!
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Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site |
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December 16, 2024 Experience TR's unusual 1901 inauguration like never before. Participants will receive a guided tour that takes them back to September 1901 to be witness to the history-altering events surrounding President McKinley's death and Roosevelt's inauguration. Hear Roosevelt's concerns as he prepares to take office, and be present for his fateful inauguration. With a combination of historically restored rooms and interactive exhibits, you'll feel as if you are part of the events of September 1901, while gaining a new perspective on the issues Roosevelt faced during his presidency. Afterwards, participants will also hear about educational programs and classroom-appropriate lesson plans available through the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site.
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Mirabo Press |
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February 5, 2025 Educators took a tour of the print shop at Mirabo Press then learned about printmaking techniques that don't require a printing press or specialty equipment.
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Explore & More |
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March 4, 2025 Teachers received a tour of the 3 floors of fun at Explore & More followed by a brief discussion on how to book a field trip (information on bus stipends, lunch opportunities and pricing was provided). Educators took part in hands-on STEAM activities and learned how it can be modified for successful classroom use with a wide range of grade levels.
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Just Buffalo Literary Center |
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March 5, 2025 Educators learned about the literary programming provided by Just Buffalo Literary Center including workshops, readings, in-school residencies, and field trips. Participants had the opportunity to explore their own creative writing, engage in conversations about process, and grow as writers.
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NYSDEC Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center |
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April 24, 2025 Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve features 292 acres of diverse habitats and species. Staff lead nature-based programming year-round at the Preserve and at schools and community centers throughout the Buffalo/Niagara region. During the Educator Hour, Educators took a guided hike through stations featuring data collection and analysis, art, ELA, and scientific inquiry activities. Educators learned about the programs offered through Reinstein Woods and resources available to lead outdoor learning experiences at their school.
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Hull Family Home & Farmstead |
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May 8, 2025 Explore a world of learning at the Hull Family Home & Farmstead, where you'll step back in time to experience life as it was for farmers in Western New York in the early 1800s. Participants began with a guided tour of the house, where they learned about the Hull family and the diverse educational programs offered. They then dove into hands-on activities such as playing early 19th-century games, learning traditional food preparation techniques, and discovering farming methods in their newly reconstructed 200-year-old threshing barn. Participants even had the chance to taste some delicious historic recipes!
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2023-2024 School Year
Buffalo AKG Art Museum |
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September 21, 2023 Educator Hour Description: Educators experienced the recently expanded campus, which has allowed the museum to nearly double the number of works of art on view. During the two-hour session, educators received a free guided tour with Manager of School & Teacher Programs, Lindsay Kranz, through the museum’s collection, which showcases how for more than 150 years, the museum collected, conserved, and exhibited the art of its time, often working directly with living artists. Educators learned about their Learning and Creativity programs, including guided school tours, professional development opportunities, and more!
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Hull Family Home & Farmstead |
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September 27, 2023 Pioneer Life: Work and Play Educators unlocked a world of educational possibilities at the Hull Family Home & Farmstead, where they delved into the past and discovered what life was like for farmers in Western New York during the early 1800s. They first took a tour of the historic house, where they learned about the history of the Hull family and the different types of educational programs that they offer. For the second part of the session, educators engaged in a variety of hands-on activities, including early 19th century games and food preparation methods, as well as sampling some delicious historic “receipts” (recipes)!
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Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum |
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October 19, 2023 Educators received a tour of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum where they discovered historical uses of simple machines within the amusement industry, culminating with a ride on the 1916 Number One Special Carrousel. They participated in their award winning STEM program where they built their own complex machine; a moving carousel horse out of household materials based on principles they learned during the tour.
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Roycroft Campus |
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November 9, 2023 Educators received a brief overview of this National Historic Landmark including a tour of the Print Shop’s Art Center, Museum and Press Room. Throughout each space, educators saw examples of curriculum activities, projects and tours that can be scheduled for student at the Roycroft.
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Tifft Nature Preserve |
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January 31, 2024 Tifft Nature Preserve serves as the living collection of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences and premier environmental education and recreation destination of the region. Within the Darling Environmental Education Center, on the 264 acres of trails and natural habitats, and offsite at schools, Tifft Nature Preserve provides engaging and educational programs to inspire the environmental stewards of today and tomorrow. Educators began with a brief guided trail tour to showcase the serene woodland, wetland, and grassland habitats. The historical significance of the property and its ongoing ecological restoration will be interpreted. Indoors, a diverse sampler of Tifft Nature Preserve's educational and hands-on Workshop Activity Stations were presented. Suggestions for simple classroom and schoolyard activities for educators to take back to their classroom and implement independently were provided. |
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The Martin House |
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February 12, 2024 Educators received a tour of the Martin House concentrating on the Japanese influences and Japanese woodblock prints that are hung throughout the house. They then received a crash course on printmaking by creating their own designs on linoleum block, carving them, and printing them! Similar offerings can be scheduled for student tours at the Martin House.
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The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens |
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Flowers are so much more than their looks! In this workshop, educators explored the important relationship between flowers and their pollinator friends. Each participant dissected an alstroemeria lily to examine the different parts of a flower and discover how different flower characteristics attract different pollinators. This activity modeled an activity that can be done on-site at the gardens or replicated in the classroom. Educators also received a tour of the gardens.
https://www.buffalogardens.com/
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Graycliff |
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April 18, 2024 This Educator Hour focused on the gardens on the property! Under the direction of Graycliff's head gardner, educators learned about garden planning and crop rotation with crop planting. This included learning about the principles of crop planning and rotation, participating in exercises to do simple crop plans, and learning about principles of planting. Each participating educator also planted small summer crops into pots to take home and keep inside until they are ready to plant!
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The Castellani Art Museum at Niagara University |
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May 29, 2024 Educators got on an interactive tour of the Through Artists' Eyes gallery, using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) to unpack new perspectives on art. After this, they toured the dynamic and large-scale paintings of Grand Salon of Ideas exhibition by Jennifer Lefort, her first solo exhibition in the United States. This program equipped educators with strategies to utilize visual art as a dynamic catalyst for fostering equity, encouraging critical thinking, and cultivating deeper understanding and perspective-taking among students.
https://www.castellaniartmuseum.org/
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2021-2022 School Year
Albright-Knox Northland |
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October 26, 2022 Exhibit: Difference Machines: Technology and Identity in Contemporary Art Educators explored and engaged with the Difference Machines exhibit and considered how technology impacts identity. Through resources provided by the Albright-Knox and Erie 1 BOCES, teachers left equipped with lesson ideas and conversation starters to connect back to their curriculum.
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Shea's Performing Arts Center |
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January 25, 2022 Educators participated in engaging hands-on activities that addressed the classroom needs identified by educators in the session. This workshop encouraged educators from all grades and content areas to be active participants to brainstorm solutions to current educational challenges. Educators also received a tour of the historic Shea's Theatre.
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Burchfield Penney Art Center |
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February 17, 2022 Exhibit: Social Justice Stitched Stories: Stitching Together Our Community Voices in the 21st Century Sewing Circle Educators explored the Social Justice Stitched Stories exhibit and created artwork focused on themes of social justice. Educators learned techniques from executive director of Stitch Buffalo, Dawne Hoeg, to guide them in creating their work. Educators left equipped with ideas and resources to continue conversations around social justice in their classroom.
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Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens |
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March 1, 2022 Educators participated in a mini terrarium workshop, similar to the one offered for school groups. Teachers shared cross-curricular connections to the project and ideas for implementing it into their curriculum. Teachers also received a tour of the gardens and learned about a variety of plants such as a chocolate tree!
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WNY Book Arts Center |
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April 6, 2022 Educators received a tour of Book Arts' galleries, printmaking studios & artisan shop, and participated in a workshop to create a handmade journal. Following step-by-step, educators learned how this process can also be modified for successful classroom use with a wide range of grade levels.
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Albright-Knox Northland |
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May 10, 2022 Exhibit: In These Truths Educators explored and engaged with the In These Truths exhibit and brainstormed connections to the work to their classroom. Through resources provided by the Albright-Knox and Erie 1 BOCES, teachers left equipped with lesson ideas and conversation starters to connect back to their curriculum.
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43 North |
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June 2, 2022 Educator Hour Description: 43 North invests $5 million in companies to relocate to Buffalo through a startup competition. Their vision is to make Buffalo a place the world’s most innovative startups want to call home by providing best-in-class resources to founders, a talented and dedicated workforce, and a passionate community that supports entrepreneurs. During this Educator Hour, educators received a tour of Seneca and learned about 43 North and Tech Buffalo. Following divergent thinking protocols, educators brainstormed ways in which an Erie 1 BOCES and 43 North partnership could support education in our region.
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2022-2023 School Year
Martin House |
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September 28, 2022 Educator Hour Description: Educators received a tour of the Martin House that concentrated on the Japanese influences and Japanese woodblock prints that are hung throughout the house. They then received a crash course on printmaking by creating their own designs on linoleum block, carving them, and printing them! Similar offerings can be scheduled for student tours at the Martin House.
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Northland Workforce Training Center |
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October 11, 2022 As New York State's signature workforce initiative under the Buffalo Billion initiative, Northland Workforce Training Center is an industry-driven, public-private partnership between employers, educational institutions, community and faith-based organizations and state and local government focused on closing the skills gap of the local labor pool and creating economic on-ramps to training, co-ops, internships, apprenticeships, and permanent employment for Western New Yorkers seeking high-paying advanced manufacturing and energy careers. Educators received a tour of Northland and a presentation focusing on their connection to education.
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The Foundry |
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October 19, 2022 Teachers received a tour of The Foundry's facilities and participated in a workshop to create a laser cut keychain. Educators learned about using raster vs vector files, saw various options for lasers and used a CO2 laser to make a custom-designed keychain. The skills learned in this workshop can be modified for successful classroom use with a wide range of grade levels.
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Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park |
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November 7, 2022 Teachers learned about collaborative educational opportunities with the Buffalo Naval Park, including a campus-wide junior docent program, junior curator camps, and government curriculum supplementals, supporting NYSCC Social Studies Framework’s 12.G.2-12.G.5. They then toured the naval park museum. |
Explore & More |
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December 6, 2022 Teachers received a tour of the 3 floors of fun at Explore & More followed by a brief discussion on how to book a field trip (information on bus stipends, lunch opportunities and pricing will be provided). Educators then participated in a hands-on workshop creating LED Christmas Cards using simple circuits!
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TIFFT Nature Preserve |
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January 18, 2023 Tifft Nature Preserve serves as the living collection of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences and premier environmental education and recreation destination of the region. Within the Darling Environmental Education Center, on the 264 acres of trails and natural habitats, and offsite at schools, Tifft Nature Preserve provides engaging and educational programs to inspire the environmental stewards of today and tomorrow. Educators participated in a brief guided trail tour to showcase the serene woodland, wetland, and grassland habitats to learn about the historical significance of the property and its ongoing ecological restoration. They learned about Tifft Nature Preserve's a diverse educational and hands-on workshops and received suggestions for classroom and schoolyard connections.
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Villa Maria & CARE: Compassionate Arts Remaking Education |
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February 9, 2023 All The Worlds A Stage with Villa Maria College and The National CARE Theatre Project Of Cleveland Play House. Educators took part in a hands on CARE theatre workshop with the National CARE Project Team that explored theatre techniques and exercises that will help students develop empathy and broaden their understanding of each other and the world around them, empowering them with valuable tools that can be applied throughout their lives. In addition, educators received a tour of the beautiful college campus and learned about the FREE dynamic workshops Villa and CARE can provide for students and teachers in Film, Music, Art, Graphic Arts & Theatre. Educators learned how Villa can provide free transportation, lunch and workshops for students and teachers!
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Buffalo Museum of Science |
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February 15, 2023 After meeting as a group, educators were given time to explore the Buffalo Science Museums many exhibit halls and classrooms. Education staff was on hand to provide detailed information on the school activities that can be completed with each exhibit. Teachers left filled with ideas on how to connect their curriculum to the Buffalo Science Museum! |
Aquarium of Niagara |
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March 7, 2023 Educators were welcomed into the Aquarium with a tour of current exhibits highlighting recent updates and additions, new thematic displays, and future plans for expansion. They were also provided with an overview of current school and education program offerings. A handful of educators also received a behind the scenes tour of the aquarium!
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M&T Tech Academy and Tech Buffalo |
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March 15, 2023 The Tech Academy & TechBuffalo welcomed local educators to Seneca One for a tour of M&T’s Tech Hub and engaging dialogue around WNY’s emerging tech hub and ways their students can participate. Educators gained insight into the work the Tech Academy and TechBuffalo are doing to move Buffalo forward and push for a more inclusive local tech industry. About The Tech Academy: Launched by M&T Bank in 2020, the Tech Academy is committed to collaborating with community partners to provide educational programming that creates career pathways for the community and upskills and reskills Buffalo’s existing tech workforce. About TechBuffalo: An intermediary for Western New York’s technology ecosystem, TechBuffalo serves as a non-profit organization driven to create a sustainable, inclusive, and accessible technology community by improving our region’s ability to retain, attract, and foster technology talent.
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Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra |
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April 28, 2023 Bring unique arts engagement into your classroom or virtual learning through the dynamism of the BPO’s professional musicians. Discover the BPO Teaching Artists program which offers Classroom Programs and Instrument Workshops & Clinics. Presentations feature interactive music learning opportunities and authentic connections between music and other areas of learning, with an emphasis on artistic excellence and can meet varied classroom learning objectives. This hour featured a Teaching Artist presentation from BPO Oboe & English Hornist, Anna Mattix, surrounding her Music By, About and For Women classroom program, as well as a discussion around development of these programs in general. BPO Education staff also provided an overview of all BPO Education programs and resources available to teachers and students.
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Burchfield Penney Art Center |
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May 18, 2023 Discovered, Touched, and Rearranged at the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s newly renovated education spaces Teachers experienced new ways to interact with art at the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s newly renovated education spaces. The Useum™ studio is an educational exhibition space for playful, hands-on artmaking experiences. The Burchfield Penney commissions artists to create interactive displays to promote child and adult learning. Educators can utilize the Useum™ studios for tours and artmaking experiences afterwards, professional development days, and much more. Interfield is an immersive artwork by artist Dennis Maher and Assembly House 150; the installation has transformed two everyday classrooms at the Burchfield into a densely layered, creative environment using specially crafted furnishings, sculptural walls, and other artifacts. Interfield will combine the functions of an educational museum space with dream-like visions of an interior living room and garden grotto. The work is conceived as an interactive field of evocative objects to be discovered, touched, rearranged, played with, studied, and interpreted. This session was a hands-on interactive program in the new Useum™ studio designed by Dennis Maher and Assembly House 150.
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