Lesson Programs

Our Lesson Programs program come in three formats: Little Explorers for Grades Pre-K–K ; Small Groups and Large Groups (both for Grades 1–12).

All programs have been developed meet the new Education Standards for Pennsylvania and New Jersey. (Our lessons have been updated for the new Pennsylvania and New Jersey state standards.)

Pre-K–K (Little Explorers Programs)

These are specially designed programs with live animals, touchable museum specimens, and lots of audience participation! The paw print indicates that live animals are used in the lesson.

Appropriate for children 3 year olds to Grade K
Maximum number of children per program: 35
Two programs (same topic) at
- 25 minutes each for Pre-K
- 35 minutes each for K
$275 for two presentations plus travel fee
($75 for each additional presentation)

Bugs to Butterflies
What’s the difference between an insect and a spider? Do butterflies have bones? What senses does a cockroach use to discover its world? Journey from egg to adult as you explore the features of various invertebrates using activities, museum specimens, and one live arthropod.

Discovering Dinosaurs
How do we know what dinosaurs were like? Were other animals alive at the same time as the dinosaurs? How were they similar to animals still alive today? The introduction of one live animal reinforces the concepts. Fun props and activities help small children learn how dinosaurs lived, ate and protected themselves.

Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades Pre-K-2

Everybody Needs a Home
Food, water, shelter, space - all creatures need a habitat that provides these things. Meet several animals from different habitats and discover how these needs are met. Also explore how animals depend upon and relate to one another within a habitat.

Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades Pre-K-2

Fur, Feathers, and Scales
Why do animals have fur, feathers or scales? Learn about the importance of animal coverings and discover some of the basic differences between mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades Pre-K-2

If We Could Talk to the Animals …
How do animals convey messages without speaking? Explore some of the secrets of animal communication, such as body language, scent, color, and sound.

Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades Pre-K-2

Grades 1–12 (Small & Large Group Programs)

Most of these programs can be reserved for large or small groups and can be tailored to your age group. Exceptions are noted below.

The paw print indicates that live animals are used in the lesson.

Small Group Programs

Programs in a smaller, more intimate environment
Maximum number of participants: 35
Length of program: 50 minutes
Fee: $250/presentation plus travel fee
($100 for each additional presentation)

Large Group Programs

Programs in an auditorium or other large space
Maximum number of participants: 200
Length of program: 50 minutes
Fee: $325/presentation plus travel fee
($200 for each additional presentation)

Amazing Adaptations
What is an adaptation and what kinds are there? Learn about the wide variety of animals on Earth and discover some features and behaviors that help them to survive.

Animals with Bad Reputations
Slimy? Scary? Sneaky? Separate fact from fiction in this investigation of fascinating animals that are often misunderstood.

Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades Pre-K-2
Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades 3-6

Bugs to Butterflies
(Grades 1–3, Maximum of 75 participants)
What’s the difference between an insect and a spider? Do butterflies have bones? What senses does a cockroach use to discover its world? Journey from egg to adult as you explore the features of various invertebrates using activities, museum specimens, and one live arthropod.

Discovering Dinosaurs
(Grades 1–6)
How do we know what dinosaurs were like? Were other animals alive at the same time as the dinosaurs? How were they similar to animals still alive today? The introduction of one live animal reinforces the concepts. Learn the answers to the puzzles of paleontology by examining fossils and participating in engaging interactives.

Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades Pre-K-2

Discovering Your World
(Grades 3–6, Small Group Format only)
Using their skills of observation and questioning, your students will be biologists exploring the natural world in this inquiry-based, hands-on experience. Study a colony of live animals and design an experiment right in your own classroom!

Everybody Needs a Home
Food, water, shelter, space—all creatures need a habitat that provides these things. Meet several animals from different habitats and discover how these needs are met. Also explore how animals depend upon and relate to one another within a habitat.

Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades Pre-K-2
Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades 3-6

Geology Really Rocks
(Grades 36, Small Group Format only)
From the salt on our food to the gas in our cars, we use geology in many ways. The fascinating world of rocks and minerals is revealed as you learn about the rock cycle and have a chance to handle real geological specimens.

Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades 3-6

If We Could Talk to the Animals …
How do animals convey messages without speaking? Explore some of the secrets of animal communication, such as body language, scent, color, and sound.

Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades Pre-K-2
Download the Teacher's Guide for Grades 3-6

Raptors: Predators of the Sky
(Grades 3–12 only)
Hawks, falcons, owls—what makes these creatures so amazing? Get a bird’s-eye view of these magnificent animals and discover how they differ from one another.

Travel Information

Depending on driving distance from museum, programs may begin as early as 9 am and end as late as 9 pm (not including set up and break down).
Distance determines travel fee. Travel is limited to 80 miles one way.
There is a holdover fee of $50 for presentations scheduled more than one hour apart (maximum of two hours between programs).