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The museum offers a range of education programs that explore science and promote inquiry. Gallery activities use select exhibits to investigate a particular topic; workshops are hands-on experiences that take place in our classroom. Several programs are suitable for high school groups—call Public Education at (785) 864-4173 for more information.
If you plan to visit the galleries, but
don’t want a program—please call in advance to let us know the date, time and group size. The museum has a suggested contribution of
$3 for children and
$5 for adults. A Museum Highlights tour can be arranged for small groups. Contact Tristan Smith at (785) 864-2380 for details.
A limited number of scholarships are available
for the museum's school programs. These scholarships cover program fees only. Typically, full scholarships are awarded to schools if 50% or more of their students are eligible for a free and reduced lunch program. Schools with less than 50%, may be awarded a half scholarship.
Download a scholarship application
here.
Trip Tips
Trip Tips has important information for chaperones, and helpful details about policies, parking, lunch, and more.
Download Trip Tips here. |
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Gallery tours and activities
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Cost: $50 per group (25 maximum)
Duration: 45 minutes |
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| 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 most
famous group and put their skills to the test.
National science standards:
A, C, G |
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| Students investigate dinosaur
footprints — what they can tell us and why
— and learn how to calculate the speed of
dinosaurs.
National science standards:
A, C, G
Math curriculum link:
Standard 1 |
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| 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.
National science standards:
A, C, D, G |
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| School workshops |
Cost: $3.50 per person (30
maximum, 15 minimum; one adult chaperone free for
every 5 students)
Duration: 45 minutes |
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| 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.
National science standards:
A, C, D, G |
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| This workshop provides
an introduction to geological time with activities
that investigate relative and absolute dating.
National science standards:
A, D, G |
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| How can you tell mica
from magnetite or granite from gneiss? Students
learn identification techniques in this introduction
to minerals, rocks, and their formation.
National science standards:
A, D, G |
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| Explore the characteristics
of mammals and their adaptations through a series
of demonstrations and activities.
National science standards:
A, C, G |
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| This workshop challenges
students to work in small groups and demonstrate
some of the scientific principles behind flight
using everyday items.
National science standards:
A, B, G |
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| This workshop introduces
DNA — what it is and how it works. Hands-on
activities include DNA extraction and making DNA
jewelry.
National science standards:
A, C, G |
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| Welcome to Other Worlds
Travel Agency. Students explore the solar
system from the perspective of alien tourists
and are challenged to select the best destination
to meet their needs.
National science standards:
A, B, D, G |
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| Students investigate the
properties and classification of matter. Topics
include the particulate nature of matter, state
changes, and temperature.
National science standards:
A, B, G |
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| Discover what the smallest
things in the universe are, and just how small
that is! Explore the concept of scale through
giant insects, viruses and chickens
National science standards:
A, B, D, G, E
Math curriculum link:
Standard 1 to 8 |
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| 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.
National science standards:
A, B, D, G, E
Math curriculum link:
Standard 1 to 8 |
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