Teachers Invited to Use Erie Canal Learning Hub for 2026/27 School Year

WATERFORD – As the new school year kicks off, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the New York State Canal Corporation are inviting educators to take advantage of free lesson plans, virtual tours, videos and field trips geared for 4th through 8th grades 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. Here is to a great school year.”

Field trip signup and curriculum resources are available at www.eriecanalway.org/learning-hub.

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.

ABOUT NEW YORK STATE CANAL CORPORATION

The New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, oversees the operation and promotion of the New York State Canal System. The Canal Corporation’s mission is to operate and maintain a premier waterway and trail system that honors the historic legacy of the Erie Canal and offers unique recreational and tourism opportunities, while also promoting sustainable economic development throughout the canal corridor. For more information on the New York State Canal System and the Canal Corporation, please visit www.canals.ny.gov.

ABOUT THE ERIE CANALWAY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR

Nearly 200 years after its construction, the Erie Canal remains an iconic symbol of American ingenuity and determination. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor works to preserve the Nation’s extraordinary canal heritage, promote the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and foster vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway. It achieves its mission in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, non-profit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across the full expanse of upstate New York. Visit www.eriecanalway.org.