Discovery and curiosity are central to the museum's education mission. Our programs are designed by educators, for educators, and support Nebraska College and Career Readiness Standards. Bring your class to Morrill Hall on a field trip, or bring the museum to your classroom with our distance learning opportunities. Our education programs will expand your students' curiosity and understanding of science, the natural world and world cultures.
On Site Learning
See the action and explore Morrill Hall in person. Students will build collaboration and critical thinking through immersive science programs and exhibit exploration. Book a field trip program to have an education expert lead your group in your learning adventure or book a self-guided field trip to explore on your own.
Field Trip Programs
Led by a museum educator, these 45-minute field trip programs use Morrill Hall exhibits to engage students in exploration of science, paleontology, Nebraska wildlife and more.
Programs are available for grades PreK-12 across a variety of topics.
Self-Guided Field Trips/Group Visits
Freely explore exhibits created by scientists and educators filled with hands-on interactives.
Planetarium Shows
Our Mueller Planetarium is ready to take your students on an adventure. Planetarium fulldome shows immerse students in space science, natural history, and ecology to fit your curriculum. Our Planetarium Live! programs offer students an educator-led interactive experiences on different topics.
UNSM is happy to work with college professors and classes to enhance the learning experience. If you’re a UNL instructor and want your students to visit the museum as a group, please contact us at elephant@nebraska.edu.
Distance Learning
Bring the museum directly to your classroom. We offer teacher-ready programs and resources with museum educator-led virtual field trips, hands-on museum science kits, and innovative lesson plans.
Virtual Field Trips
Explore science and our museums without ever leaving your classroom! Our educators and scientist interact with participants through live videoconferencing programs. Our Virtual Field Trips are designed to fit within your schedule, curriculum, or interest areas, with options for K-12 students, clubs or adults.
Science Chat Specials
Introduce your students to the work of scientists by letting them engage with the scientists themselves. These monthly programs are live, interactive, and focus on Nebraska phenomena. Each science chat special is billed by the school, meaning more than one classroom at the same school can attend at the same cost.
Museum Kits
Enhance your lessons with museum specimens, STEM resources and activity guides designed by museum educators and combined into kits delivered directly to your classroom.
Lesson Plans
Need a lesson to extend a unit? Our educator-developed plans and activities cover topics from pollinators to paleontology.
Stay in the know!
Archie's Classroom is a monthly e-newsletter offering updates on museum programs and opportunities for teachers and students. The newsletter runs for the duration of each school year and is free to subscribe.