School Programs for 3rd Graders
Gallery Activities
Dinosaur Discovery
Everyone knows what a dinosaur is — or do they? How do you tell a dinosaur from other extinct and living groups of animals? Using the fossil gallery, students will discover important features of this famous group and put their skills to the test.
| Grade Levels | 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, High School |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 12 minimum; 25 Maximum (students and adult chaperones) |
| National Science Standards | A, C, G |
| Duration | 45 Minutes |
| Fee | $60 per group |
Kansas Seas
Kansas was once covered with vast oceans. Discover how we know this and learn about some of the amazing creatures that lived in these seas.
| Grade Levels | 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 12 minimum; 25 Maximum (students and adult chaperones) |
| National Science Standards | A, C, D, G |
| Duration | 45 Minutes |
| Fee | $60 per group |
School Workshops
Fossil Fun
This workshop is designed for younger students and provides an introduction to geological time and fossils. Hands-on activities include digging for and identifying fossils, and developing dinosaurs complete with scientific names.
| Grade Levels | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 15 minimum; 30 Maximum (students) |
| National Science Standards | A, C, D, G |
| Duration | 45 Minutes |
| Fee | $4.50 per person (one adult chaperone free for every 5 students; additional adults $4.50 each; maximum of 8 adults) |
Hands-on Geology
How can you tell mica from magnetite or granite from gneiss? Students learn identification techniques in this introduction to minerals, rocks and their formation.
| Grade Levels | 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 15 minimum; 30 Maximum (students) |
| National Science Standards | A, D, G |
| Duration | 45 Minutes |
| Fee | $4.50 per person (one adult chaperone free for every 5 students; additional adults $4.50 each; maximum of 8 adults) |
Hands-on Mammals
Explore the characteristics of mammals and their adaptations through a series of demonstrations and activities.
| Grade Levels | 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 15 minimum; 30 Maximum (students) |
| National Science Standards | A, C, G |
| Duration | 45 Minutes |
| Fee | $4.50 per person (one adult chaperone free for every 5 students; additional adults $4.50 each; maximum of 8 adults) |
DNA Discovery
This workshop introduces DNA — what it is and how it works. Hands-on activities include DNA extraction and making DNA jewelry.
| Grade Levels | 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, High School |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 15 minimum; 30 Maximum (students) |
| National Science Standards | A, C, G |
| Duration | 45 Minutes |
| Fee | $4.50 per person (one adult chaperone free for every 5 students; additional adults $4.50 each; maximum of 8 adults) |
Matter Matters
Students investigate the properties and classification of matter. Topics include the particulate nature of matter, state changes and temperature.
| Grade Levels | 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 15 minimum; 30 Maximum (students) |
| National Science Standards | A, B, G |
| Duration | 45 Minutes |
| Fee | $4.50 per person (one adult chaperone free for every 5 students; additional adults $4.50 each; maximum of 8 adults) |
How Small is Small?
Discover what the smallest things in the universe are and how small! Explore the concept of scale through giant insects, viruses and chickens.
| Grade Levels | 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 15 minimum; 30 Maximum (students) |
| National Science Standards | A, B, D, E, G |
| Math Link Curriculum | Standard 1 to 8 |
| Duration | 45 Minutes |
| Fee | $4.50 per person (one adult chaperone free for every 5 students; additional adults $4.50 each; maximum of 8 adults) |
Scavenger Hunts
Mosasaur Munchies Guide
The largest mosasaur found – discovered in Kansas – lurks over the KU Natural History Museum's lobby entrance. Use this guide to explore the museum galleries and discover what mosasaurs ate. Guide available at Visitor Services, 4th floor, or download and print your own.
| Grade Levels | 2nd, 3rd, 4th |
|---|---|
| Duration | Varies; 15 to 45 minutes |
| Fee | $3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission) |
Museum Mysteries
Explore the museum using this scavenger hunt, which takes students to all four floors of the museum. Closely examine exhibits to answer questions about glowing minerals, monkeys in the rainforest and insects in Bug Town. Guide available at Visitor Services, 4th floor, or download and print your own.
| Grade Levels | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th |
|---|---|
| Duration | Varies; 15 to 45 minutes |
| Fee | $3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission) |
Museum Explorer
Touch a fossil, see minerals that glow, and investigate animal feet. This scavenger hunt can be used to investigate select exhibits or as a general guide to the galleries on each floor. Download and print your own.
| Grade Levels | 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th |
|---|---|
| Duration | varies; 15-45 minutes |
| Fee | $3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission) |
Puttering around Potter Lake
Explore the life in and around Potter Lake, just a short walk west of the KU Natural History Museum. Download and print your own.
| Grade Levels | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th |
|---|---|
| Duration | Varies; up to an hour (including travel time) |
| Fee | $3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission) |
