AT THE MUSEUM
Self-guided visits to the Museum are available for groups of all ages.
Find information on cost, scheduling, and more.
DIGGING FOR DINOS: EXPLORING FOSSILS | LEVEL: PreK–1st
Does the word “dinosaur” send your students into prehistoric pandemonium? Bring the wonders of paleontology into your classroom with this investigation of basic natural science concepts related to the job of a paleontologist. Students will practice paleontological skills with real and cast fossils, animal bones, dig boxes, rubbings, and other age-appropriate hands-on activities.
Download the Teacher Guide to Digging for Dinos
K LS – Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
1 LS – Basic Needs of Living Things
2 LS – Interactions Within Habitats
HOOTS AND HOWLS: RALPH PERKINS II WILDLIFE CENTER & WOODS GARDEN—Presented by KeyBank | LEVEL: PreK–5
Join a Museum educator as we explore Ohio's native animals. Discover the wildlife that inhabits our great state and meet some of our animal ambassadors. Plus, learn about the serious business of animal enrichment and investigate the native habitats found in your own backyard!
Download the Teacher Guide to Hoots and Howls
PreK Science Inquiry and Application – Inquiry
PreK ESS – Explorations of the Natural World
PreK LS – Observation of Living Things
K LS – Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
WHAT’S INSIDE STUFFEE? ANATOMY FOR LITTLE ONES | LEVEL: PreK–2nd
In this larger-than-life anatomical experience, we turn our big-hearted friend Stuffee inside out to look at his chest and abdominal organs. Learn about the cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive systems. Put him back together to see how his systems are connected, and find out what you can do to keep your own organs in top shape!
Download the Teacher Guide to What's Inside Stuffee?
PreK HLTH – 1.2.1, 7.2.1
K LS – Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
NEIGHBORHOOD WILDLIFE: LIVE ANIMALS | LEVEL: K–12th
Live animal programs offer an up-close look at native Ohio species while providing an exciting and memorable learning experience. Each program is customized based on the grade level of your group. Students may investigate types of animals, adaptations, or animal roles within an ecosystem as part of the lesson.
Save time after your program to take your group outside to meet the rest of our animal ambassadors in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden— Presented by KeyBank.
Download the Teacher Guide to Neighborhood Wildlife
K LS – Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
1 LS – Basic Needs of Living Things
2 LS – Interactions Within Habitats
DINO DETECTIVES: IDENTIFYING FOSSILS | LEVEL: 2nd–5th
Calling all junior paleontologists! We need your help to identify the latest fossilized find. Become part of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History team, working together to uncover clues from the Cretaceous Period. By comparing your evidence with existing fossil records and known facts about modern wildlife, you’ll soon discover who this animal is and what its habitat was like more than 75 million years ago.
2 LS – Interactions Within Habitats
PLANETARIUM
The newly renovated Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium features high-definition imagery. Updated educational programs offer an interactive, out-of-this-world learning experience.
• Total planetarium capacity is 95 people, including students, teachers, and chaperones.
• All topics include views of the current night sky.
• All programs are 60 minutes unless otherwise noted.
Find information on cost, scheduling, and more.
ONE WORLD, ONE SKY: BIG BIRD’S ADVENTURE | LEVEL: PreK
Follow Sesame Street's Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. Children can interact as they watch, drawing constellations and counting the time it takes the Sun to set.
Download the Teacher Guide to One World, One Sky
PreK ESS – Daily and Seasonal Change
STARRY, STARRY NIGHT: THE SUN, MOON, AND SKY FOR LITTLE ONES | LEVEL: PreK–2nd
Look to the sky as we observe and follow the movements of the Sun, Moon, and stars. Learn about the Sun and how the energy it provides affects weather here on Earth.
Download the Teacher Guide to Starry, Starry Night
PreK ESS – Daily and Seasonal Changes
K ESS – The Moon, Sun, and Stars
1 ESS – Sun, Energy, and Weather
2 PS – Changes in Motion
THE ATMOSPHERE: OUR REMARKABLE ENVELOPE OF AIR | LEVEL: 2nd
Learn about the remarkable and ever-active envelope of air surrounding our planet. We’ll discuss the daily and seasonal changes of weather and climate.
Download the Teacher Guide to The Atmosphere
2 ESS – The Atmosphere
ECLIPSE EXTRAVAGANZA | LEVEL: K–8th
Okay kids, lights out! On Monday, April 8, 2024, the city of Cleveland will witness its first total solar eclipse in more than 200 years. Now is the perfect time to start preparing for this extraordinary event, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History has you covered. Why do eclipses happen, and are they really all that rare? What is it like to experience twilight in the middle of the afternoon? Most important, how do you stay safe while observing the Sun? We’ll answer these questions and more as we investigate the clockwork regularity of the cosmos in this limited-time field trip at the Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium.
Runs September 1, 2023, to April 8, 2024. Classroom kits with eclipse glasses will be provided.
K ESS – Daily and Seasonal Changes
1 PS – Motion and Materials
2 ESS – The Atmosphere
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