Early learners already encounter maps in their day to day lives. In this interactive learning experience, we will explore together what a map can do. Through close examination of maps in our collection young learners will discover how maps represent and shape their world. Students will participate in various age-appropriate activities such as a read aloud, practice map reading skills, and map creation to deepen their understanding of cartography and spatial thinking.

Students will explore Boston's dynamic history including how the city’s communities and their residents evolved over time. Elementary students will examine the role of cartographers in documenting Boston's growth during the mid-19th century and analyze changes in the city's landscape through a comparison of maps in our collection. By studying what has changed and what has remained constant, students will better understand their community.

Students will participate in a guided tour of our exhibition Processing Place: How Computers and Cartographers Redrew our World, which explores the impact of 20th-century computer technologies on digital mapping. This tour encourages students to reflect on their place in the world and how maps created with various technologies capture and represent their lived experiences. Throughout the program, students will engage in guided inquiry and discussion focused on the maps featured in the gallery.