Creating Memorable Experiences for DPSCD Students

The Henry Ford is a beloved institution and a tourist destination for guests from across the country and around the world. For many in Southeast Michigan, exposure to The Henry Ford and its venues begins as early as elementary school during a school field trip.

In 2018, through a concerted effort with local arts organizations, the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) launched its Cultural Passport Initiative. This program seeks to give K-6 students the opportunity to experience fine arts education to increase students’ skills such as expression, visual thinking, observation, problem-solving and analytics that aid in building autonomy. Participation in the Cultural Passport Initiative provides both equity and access to students who may not otherwise visit the venues that are part of the program, such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, Michigan Science Center, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra, to name a few. When students experience the arts, they develop a sense of innovation that will be important in their adult lives.

The Henry Ford is proud to be part of this initiative. We are also honored to be one of the few institutions that host more than one level of students. Each spring we welcome all DPSCD 4th graders to Greenfield Village where they are immersed in the sights and sounds of America’s roots. During their visit, students explore the connections between historical narratives of people and places, while also discussing innovative thinking habits that remain essential today. Highlights of their visit include a train ride and seeing Henry Ford’s childhood home and the Bagley Avenue Workshop, among many other sites throughout our seven historic districts. Educators remarked that their students loved the train ride and were especially interested in the demonstrations taking place in the Liberty Craftworks district.

When these students reach 5th grade, they visit Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation where their experience centers around the question, “How has innovation changed our lives?”As the students take in our exhibits, they also work together to complete a Model i scavenger hunt. A highlight for many students is experiencing the Rosa Parks bus and learning more about her story in the With Liberty and Justice For All exhibit, along with hands-on activities throughout the museum like building and testing paper airplanes.

Since its initial launch in 2018, the program at The Henry Ford has adapted and optimized the field trip curriculum to be more flexible and allow educators to experience the museum and village at their own pace. Most recently, we’ve introduced Educator Resource Guides for both Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village that offer pre- and post-visit activities and materials, curriculum aligned to state standards, on-site scavenger hunts and discussion points – a curated experience to help educators and their students get the most out of their visit.

“Through the Cultural Passport Program, we plant seeds of curiosity that will not only sprout, but will begin to flourish. The hope is for our DPSCD students to come back to see us again and again after these initial visits to cultivate the ‘seeds’ in a supportive and stimulating environment,” said Mary Beth Haliburda, Program Manager of Learning Detroit Programs and Field Trips at The Henry Ford.

The Henry Ford offers the Cultural Passport Initiative field trips at no cost to DPSCD students, through a special endowment. This allows even more youth to experience everything the institution has to offer, making it more accessible to all.

Haliburda remarks, “One of my favorite moments is seeing the amazement in the eyes of the students as they walk through the museum’s clocktower entrance. For many, it is the first time seeing the grand staircase, magnificent architecture and sparkling chandeliers. When their eyes land on the DC-3 it is so fun to see (and hear!) their reactions and experience that moment with them. The same can be said when entering Greenfield Village. When they see (and often feel the mist) of the Josephine Ford Fountain, along with the beauty of the surroundings in the plaza, it sets the stage for a wonderful day… Each person comes away with an experience special and unique unto themselves. I love hearing how they can’t wait to visit again and how inspired they feel! Knowing that I positively impact and help inspire Detroit educators and students through this program -- and help to bring awareness and access -- is the biggest reward of all!”

To date, over the past six years, The Henry Ford has impacted over 27,000 DPSCD students and just over 3,000 educators through the Cultural Passport Initiative. We are looking forward to another fun-filled year with 5th graders returning in the fall in 2024 and 4th graders visiting Greenfield Village in spring of 2025.