Special Exhibit Programs

The Museum's experienced education staff has developed curriculum standards-based classroom programs to coordinate with the scheduled traveling exhibits. The 2011-2012 programs are as follows:

Climate Change

July 23 - December 31, 2011
Climate Change addresses one of the most complex and urgent scientific and social issues of the 21st century: global climate change. Through interactive stations and videos as well as dioramas conveying the latest scientific concepts and research, Climate Change presents evidence and offers solutions while learning what is needed to move away from dependence on fossil fuels. Future Energy choice are depicted, you and your students will discover how you can contribute to a global solution through simple changes.

Will Tomorrow Be the Same as Today? – for grades K-3
(program length 60 minutes)
Will tomorrow's weather be the same as today's? What are the reasons for the seasons? Does it all fit into a pattern, and how will plants and animals be affected if patterns change? These questions and more will be answered in this program that features the Climate Change exhibit.
Grade K: E&S: 3, 4, 5
Grade 1: E&S: 1, 2; LS: 5 PS: 8
Grade 2: E&S: 4, 5; LS:2, 3
Grade 3: LS: 6

Weather vs. Climate – for grades 4-6
(program length 90 minutes)
Climate and weather are closely related systems that involve a variety of natural phenomena. Using the Climate Change exhibit as well as hands-on laboratory experiments, students will be introduced to these processes and confront the idea that human actions could potentially change these systems.
Grade 4: E&S: 3, 4, 8
Grade 5: E&S: 3, 5, 6; LS: 4, 6; PS: 1, 5; S&T: 1
Grade 6: PS: 5, 6, 7, 8

The Science of Climate Change – for grades 7-9
(program length 90 minutes)
Climate Change—why is it happening? Questions will be answered as your students learn about the greenhouse effect, convection, the reflection and refraction of light, and energy waves. We will use the Climate Change exhibit as well as hands-on laboratory activities to illustrate how humans are causing changes in our planet's climate.
Grade 7: E&S: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9; LS: 6
Grade 8: PS: 4
Grade 9: E&S: 8; PS: 8, 15, 16, 17; S&T: 1

Your Role in a Changing World – for Grades 10-12
(program length 90 minutes)
Using the Climate Change exhibit, students will learn the role that human society is playing in the climate change phenomenon and then discuss the ways in which their choices can either contribute to this problem or help fix it. Students will also examine how the interaction of science and public policy has led to the popular "debate" about climate change and its effects.
Grade 10: E&S: 5, 6; LS: 18, 19, 28;, S&T: 1; ScWK: 2
Grade 11: E&S: 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14; LS: 11, 12; S&T: 2
Grade 12: E&S: 5; LS: 3, 8; S&T: 4

Planetarium Program
Climate and Astronomy – for Grades 5-12
We know that the planet Earth is getting warmer. The Sun's output varies slightly over time, and the Earth's orbit gradually changes. 1) Can these astronomical factors influence climate change? and 2) Are they the primary reasons for recent increases in temperature? 1) yes 2) no. How about the other planets?
Grade 7: ScI: 3, 4, 5
Grade 9: ScI: 6
Grade 10: ScI: 4
Grade 11: ScI: 5

Mythic Creatures

March 3 - August 12, 2012
The world is full of stories about brave heroes, magical events and fantastic beings. For thousands of years, humans everywhere, sometimes inspired by living animals or even fossils, have brought mythic creatures to life in stories, songs and works of art. Today these creatures, from the powerful dragon to the soaring phoenix, continue to thrill, terrify, entertain and inspire us. We seem to catch glimpses of these creatures all around us: hiding beneath the ocean waves, running silently through the forest and soaring among the clouds. Some symbolize danger. Others, we think, can bring us luck or joy. Together mythic creatures give shape to humankind's greatest hopes, fears and most passionate dreams.

Mythic Creatures: Real or Pretend? – for Pre-K
 (60 minute program)
Students will be introduced to the actual animals that may have inspired the creation of the fanciful but unreal creatures featured in this year's exhibit. Groups will tour the Mythic Creatures exhibit to compare, contrast and imagine.
ScWK 1, 2; SI 1, 2, 5, 6, 7; LS 1, 2, 5

Not So Scary Creatures – for Grades K-2
(60 minute program)
Students will use the Mythic Creatures exhibit to learn about strange and unusual mythical animals that people have imagined in their stories, art and beliefs, and compare the mythical creatures with animals that exist in nature.
Grade K: LS 2, 4, 5
Grade 1: LS 1, 3, 4; ScWK: 2;. Social Studies – People in Societies: 2
Grade 2: LS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; ScI: 6; Social Studies – People in Societies: 1, 2

Mystery of the Mythic Creatures – for Grades 3-5
(90 minute program)
Students have a chance to view artifacts and items in the Mythic Creatures exhibit to interpret how different cultures may have come up with some of the ideas about these mythical creatures and the meaning behind the creatures.
Grade 3: LS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Grade 4: ScWK:1
Grade 5: LS: 4, 5; ScWK: 1; Social Studies: People in Societies: 1

Creatures and Cultures – for Grades 6-8
(90 minute program)
Exploring the Mythic Creatures exhibit and other Museum galleries, students have the opportunity to learn about the animals "created" by the imagination of people of different cultures and the reasons why these creatures became embedded in stories, art and beliefs.
Grade 6: LS: 4, 7, 8; ScI: 3: Social Studies People in Societies: 1, 3
Grade 7: LS: 1, 8 ScI 5, 6; Social Studies People in Societies: 1, 3
Grade 8: LS: 3, 4, 5; ScWK: 1,2 

The Science of Mythic Creatures – for Grades 9-12
(90 minute program)
Creatures that do not really exist still pervade our present day culture. Why have people come up with mythical creatures? In the Mythic Creatures exhibit students will explore and interpret reasons as to why strange creatures have been important to cultures and expressed in art, literature and beliefs.
Grade 9: ScWK: 1, 7
Grade 10: LS: 12, 13, 14, 21, 24; S&T: 1; SI: 5; ScWK: 1, 2, 3
Grade 11: LS: 13, 14; ScWK: 3, 5
Grade 12: LS: 7,19; ScWK: 7

Planetarium program
Mythic Creatures: The Sky – for grades K-12
(60 minutes or split with another program: the class will be tailored to each age level)
The mythic creatures of ancient times have all but disappeared except in lore. But every clear night, you can still witness the wonder of swooping dragons, flying horses, cranky centaurs, and prancing unicorns. Just avoid eye contact with the Medusa, and don't step on the Hydra's tail (or heads).
Grades K, 1, 2: Social Studies People: 2
Grades 3, 5, 6: Social Studies People: 1
Grade 7: Social Studies People: 1, 4