School Programs for High School Students
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 |
Walking with Dinosaurs
Students investigate dinosaur footprints – what they can tell us and why – and learn how to calculate the speed of dinosaurs.
| Grade Levels | 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, High School |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 12 minimum; 25 Maximum (students and adult chaperones) |
| National Science Standards | A, C, G |
| Math Link Curriculum | Standard 1 |
| Duration | 45 Minutes |
| Fee | $60 per group |
School Workshops
Rock Clocks
This workshop provides an introduction to geological time with activities that investigate relative and absolute dating.
| Grade Levels | 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, High School |
|---|---|
| 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) |
Cartoon Guide to Energy
What can falling anvils and exploding TNT tell us about how energy works in the cartoon and real worlds? Using classic cartoon scenarios, students explore how fundamental forces and properties of matter build a framework for thinking about energy across its different contexts.
| Grade Levels | 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, High School |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 15 minimum; 30 Maximum (students) |
| National Science Standards | 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) |
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) |
Quarks: Ups, Downs and the Universe
Discover what the world is made of. Investigate atoms, states of matter and electrical charge. Be atoms, build atoms and find out what they are made of.
| Grade Levels | 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, High School |
|---|---|
| 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
Museum Challenge
In this challenging scavenger hunt, closely examine exhibits to answer questions about endangered animals, flying vertebrates, and venomous snakes. Guide available at Visitor Services, 4th floor, or download and print your own.
| Grade Levels | High School, University Students, Adults |
|---|---|
| Duration | Varies; 15 to 45 minutes |
| Fee | $3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission) |
Cabinets of Curiosity
The odd, the strange and the unusual were prized objects for many early collectors. Use this guide to explore some of the “oddities” on display at the museum. Guide available at Visitor Services, 4th floor, or download and print your own.
| Grade Levels | 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, High School, University Students, Adults |
|---|---|
| Duration | Varies; 15 to 45 minutes |
| Fee | $3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission) |
Your Natural History
The natural history of the human body reflects billions of years of evolutionary history. Come explore some of the characteristics that we share with other organisms as a result of our common ancestry. Download and print your own.
| Grade Levels | High School, University Students, Adults |
|---|---|
| Duration | Varies; 15 to 45 minutes |
| Fee | $3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission) |
