Outreach

State Outreach
Presented by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association

Thanks to the sponsorship of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, we are pleased to offer FREE outreach programs to schools and youth groups. Schools must be located at least 50 miles from Louisville.

A minimum of 100 students is required to book an outreach visit, but we prefer to work with the entire school when possible. Recommended session size is 50 to 100 students, although we can accommodate larger groups. Programs last 45 minutes, with the option for time for questions.

Programs are age-appropriate and address Kentucky's Academic Expectations and Program of Studies guidelines. For detailed information on programs and Core Academic Standards connections, select from the current available programs listed below.

To request a State Outreach visit for your school, email outreach@derbymuseum.org or call Ronnie Dreistadt at 502-992-5911.

Follow our outreach coordinator as he travels across the state. Read details about the program in his blog
"Ronnie on the Road".

 

Current Outreach Programs

• Math
• Racing Colors
• Odds in Everyday Life
• Mathin' Around The Track(1-3) *NEW*

• Science/Practical Living
• Thoroughbred Care
• Superhorse, The Shoe, and You
• Science on the Track

• Social Studies/Economics
• Creating Traditions
• Economics and the Derby
• Race Through Time
• Vanishing Bluegrass

• Arts and Humanities
• Horse Tales

Racing Colors (PK/K) MATH

Program Summary
Students identify basic colors and shapes and give examples of these shapes from home, school or nature. They are shown a real jockey silk and briefly discuss what a jockey does, why silks are worn during a race and who picks out the designs. Students identify the shapes and colors on several silks. They take turns helping to create a large pretend class jockey silk. Note: You may want to bring a camera to take a picture for your classroom.

Program Goals
Students understand that we commonly use shapes and colors to communicate and identify things around us; that owners design jockey silks as a unique combination of shapes and colors. They will be able to use shapes and colors to design a jockey silk.
Core Academic Standards
MA-E-2.1.2

Odds in Everyday Life (4-8) MATH

Program Summary
Students observe and participate in activities which demonstrate how probabilities are used in everyday problem solving. The program begins with several "real-life" examples to demonstrate using math to solve problems. The concept of ratios is briefly discussed and shown, and related to the idea of probabilities. Volunteers conduct simple experiments while the group discusses how we also used past history to determine probabilities. After the results of the experiments are examined, the idea of random sampling in manufacturing is used as a further real-world situation that uses probabilities. Sampling is defined and then demonstrated through a simple polling exercise. A discussion of how horse races are started involves the concept of perimeter and leads to the random drawing for starting positions. A simulation of the post position draw, or pill-pull, based on the real draw done during Derby week illustrates the impact of probability on the Derby. Students submit names for their Derby horses and participate in conducting the pill-pull.

Program Goals
Students understand that probabilities can often be used in everyday problem solving. They understand structuring a situation in terms of ratios, and can then apply the use of probabilities in a variety of real-world applications. They understand the process for selecting the post-positions for horses in the Kentucky Derby.
Core Academic Standards
MA-E-3.1.3, MA-E-3.2.7, MA-E-3.3.2, MA-M-3.2.5, MA-M-3.3.4, MA-H-3.2.4

Mathin' Around The Track (1-3) MATH

Program Summary
What does it take to win the Kentucky Derby?  It takes a fast horse, and a whole lot of MATH, of course!  Students will solve problems taken from the “Five Big Ideas of Math” (Number Properties and Operations, Measurement, Geometry, Probability, and Algebra) as they prepare their horse for the Kentucky Derby in this real-world application of math.

Program Goals
Students understand that math is used in day to day activities – even while preparing a horse for the Kentucky Derby.
Core Academic Standards
MA-EP-1.1.1, MA-EP-1.2.1, MA-EP-1.3.1, MA-EP-2.1.4, MA-EP-2.2.3, MA-EP-3.1.1, MA-EP-3.3.1, MA-EP-4.1.2, MA-EP-4.4.3, MA-EP-5.1.3

Thoroughbred Care (K-3) SCIENCE/PRACTICAL LIVING

Program Summary
Students are asked to think about the responsibility of home pet care as they are introduced to the daily care of a Thoroughbred in training. Volunteers assist in demonstrating the washing, drying and brushing process. Basic hoof care and differences in horseshoes are shown. Volunteers are called to be a pretend horse and assistant trainer as the preparation of the horse for riding is demonstrated. The bridle and reins, shadow roll and blinkers are included. The basic diet of the racehorse is shown.

Program Goals
Students understand the importance of daily animal care both in home pet situations as well as professionally in the sport of Thoroughbred racing. They understand the basics of horse care and grooming. They can identify and explain the use of several pieces of grooming equipment.
Core Academic Standards
SC-E-3.1.2, PL-E-4.3.2

Superhorse, The Shoe, and You(4-12) SCIENCE/PRACTICAL LIVING

Program Summary
It takes two very special athletes to win the Kentucky Derby – one three year old Thoroughbred racehorse - and a jockey. This program will explore the athleticism and physiology of both athletes, as well as other factors that go into the making of a champion.  Healthy lifestyle choices will also be covered in this highly interactive program. 
This program will use two Kentucky Derby legends as examples:  the 1973 Triple Crown champion Secretariat, and four-time Derby winner Bill Shoemaker. 

Program Goals
Students understand Thoroughbred horses and jockeys in athletic terms, including team aspects. They can identify and explain several pieces of basic horse racing equipment. They can relate good nutrition and training habits to their own lifestyles. They understand some basic equine physiology.
Core Academic Standards
SC-E-3.1.2, MA-E-2.1.5, Pl-E-1.3.1, PL-E-1.3.4, PL-E-1.4.1, PL-E-1.5.1, PL-E-1.6.2, PL-E-2.3.2, PL-E-4.1.2, PL-E-4.4.3, SC-M-3.1.1, SC-M-3.2.3, PL-M-1.5.1, PL-M-1.5.2, PL-M-1.6.3, PL-M-2.3.2, PL-M-4.2.2, PL-M-4.4.3, PL-H-1.6.2, PL-H-4.4.3

Science on the Track (4-8) SCIENCE

Program Summary
Students consider basic landforms as they relate to the absolute and relative location of a new racetrack, as well as other factors that would go into the decision making for constructing a new facility. An interactive role-playing activity explains the physical and chemical weathering process of reducing rock into sedimentary material. Properties of sand, silt and clay are explored in relation to how they are used to construct a safe, consistent racing surface. A look at basic elements of track maintenance leads to the impact of weather on the racetrack and how it might affect the ability of the horses to run.

Program Goals
Students understand basic differences in silt, sand and clay and how rock is weathered and eroded to form these particles. They can apply knowledge to building and maintaining a racetrack. They understand how and why weather affects a racetrack. They can identify various landforms and determine how they affect the location of a racetrack.
Core Academic Standards
SC-E-2.1.1, SC-E-2.3.1, SS-E-4.1.4, SS-E-4.4.4, SC-M-2.1.2, SC-M-2.1.4, SC-M-2.1.5, SS-M-4.1.2, SS-M-4.4.1, SS-H-4.1.3

Creating Traditions (2-5) SOCIAL STUDIES

Program Summary
Students are introduced to the concept of traditions through a pretend birthday party. Volunteers participate in a simple "play" to better understand how traditions begin and are passed on. They attend a pretend Kentucky Derby and participate in several well-known Derby traditions, including the Garland of Roses, the singing of My Old Kentucky Home, the wearing of Derby hats and the presentation by the governor of the gold Derby trophy.

Program Goals
Students understand the concept of traditions and their place in both family and community. They recognize and describe well-known Kentucky Derby traditions. They understand that traditions make our lives more full. They can exhibit good role-playing skills.
Core Academic Standards
SS-E-2.1.1, SS-E-2.1.2, SS-E-2.2.1

Economics and the Derby (4-12) SOCIAL STUDIES

Program Summary
Students see examples of items that have been used as "money" in other cultures to establish money as a representation of value. The difference between needs and wants, the concept of scarcity and the balance of supply and demand are established. Students observe and participate in hands-on demonstrations of making a buying decision, how the value of an item can diminish, and how money comes into a community and passes through many different hands. The economic impact of the Kentucky Derby on the local economy is then illustrated through a pie chart and a bar graph. The costs of buying and training a Thoroughbred race horse is shown, as well as the nomination schedule, entry process and associated fees for the Kentucky Derby. A discussion of the winner's purse and how winning the Derby can effect the value of the horse concludes the program.

Program Goals
Students understand and can demonstrate money as a symbol of value, the dynamics of making buying decisions, the changing value of items and how money circulates throughout a local economy. They understand the economic impact of the Kentucky Derby on the local economy as well as the entry process for the Kentucky Derby.
Core Academic Standards
SS-E-3.1.1, SS-E-3.1.2, SS-E-3.1.3, SS-E-3.3.1, SS-E-3.3.2, SS-E-3.4.1, SS-M-3.1.1, SS-M-3.1.2, SS-M-3.3.1, SS-M-3.3.2, SS-M-3.4.3, SS-H-3.1.1, SS-H-3.1.3

Race Through Time (4-12) SOCIAL STUDIES

Program Summary
This fast-paced, interactive activity tells the story of Thoroughbred racing and its place in American social history from the early Colonial period through the late 19th Century. Existing knowledge of important people and events is used to provide context for new figures introduced. Elements briefly covered include:

• Horse-care in West African kingdoms
• Origins of the Age of Exploration
• American colonization and racing in early America
• Growth of the African slave trade and the rise of jockeys
• Origins of the Epsom Oaks and Derby in England
• Impact of the Civil War on Kentucky racing and the origins of the Derby
• African American jockeys in early Kentucky Derbys

Program Goals
Students understand the place of Thoroughbred racing in U.S. social history, including key roles played by African Americans. They understand the concept of a "skilled slave". They understand reasons for and the process involved in the beginning of the Derby and Churchill Downs. They can incorporate this information with existing knowledge.
Core Academic Standards
SS-E-2.4.1/5.1.3/5.2.3, SS-M-5.1.3/5.2.1/5.3.5, SS-H-5.1.3

Vanishing Bluegrass (4-12) SOCIAL STUDIES

Population growth, land development and suburban sprawl are issues that affect communities across America. In Kentucky, the Bluegrass Region is being threatened as more and more of its farmland is being developed prompting the World Monument Fund to include this region on its list of 100 most endangered sites. This interactive program explores the early days of the Bluegrass Region, as Thoroughbred farms became established and flourished. Three historic Thoroughbred farms will be “visited” as students see the effects of suburban sprawl and land development. Students will participate in activities that show that changes are taking place all around them – in their communities, neighborhoods and even schools; and they have a voice in what they want their community to look like.

Horse Tales (PK/K) ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Program Summary
A storytime session at the Derby Museum using both picture books and original stories. Students will hear both familiar and interactive picture books and also an original story based on a horserace. This program was developed with the assistance of Louisville Free Public Library and is based on accepted techniques to help students develop basic reading skills.

Program Goals
Students understand the importance and fun of reading while strengthening basic reading skills. They understand some basic elements of Thoroughbred racing.
Core Academic Standards
RD-E-1.0.10