Field Trips: Exhibits & Programs
Field Trip fieldtrip class visit
Special Exhibitions
"Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics"
May 24, 2008 - September 28, 2008
Today's breathtaking advances in medicine and biology depend on the fundamental laws of heredity discovered nearly 150 years ago by an Augustinian friar working in a garden. Our special exhibit, “Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics,” presents Mendel's life and work, charts the rise of Genetics and introduces you to some “Modern Mendels,” present-day scientists who are building upon his discoveries.
A teacher's guide on the Gegor Mendel exhibit is available at www.fieldmuseum.org/education/guides/mendel_guide.pdf
Complimentary Exhibits and Programs
Dinosaur Hall
Explore the exciting world of paleontology, stroll beneath towering fossil mounts and examine dinosaur anatomy up close. Spend time in the Fossil Preparation Lab asking questions as staff clean, study and prepare real fossils gathered by Academy field teams. Step back into the Mesozoic Era in our time machine —and find yourself on the big screen with Triceratops, Velociraptor and the colossal Tyranosaurus rex! (To learn more, go to the Museum's web pages on Dinosaur Hall or the Fossil Prep Lab.)
Diorama Adventures
Did you know that the Academy has real mummies? Or that you can view animals and habitats from around the world here? Explore our historic, artistic and scientifically accurate dioramas. Discover gorillas from Africa, pandas from Asia, bison from North America, and more. (Go to the Museum's web page on Dioramas.)
Self-guided Diorama Tours further enhance your visit through the Diorama Halls. These tours are included in the complete tour packet included with your field trip confirmation.
- Delaware Valley Animals (Grades K–2)
- Animal Adaptations (Grades 3–5)
- Food Webs (Grades 6 and up)
The Florence R. Foerderer Live Animal Center
Watch staff and volunteers care for the more than 100 live animals that reside at the Academy, and learn about each species at interactive stations. These animals —which cannot be released to the wild for various reasons— play a vital role in teaching the message of conservation.
Living Downstream
Discover how human activities and natural factors affect water quality. Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, this multimedia exhibit is based on the Academy’s pioneering scientific research. Visit www.urbanrivers.org for an overview of the exhibit and related information.
Enhance your educational experience by requesting a FREE teacher’s guide and student activity booklets.
Naturalist Shows
Join our staff as they explore natural history in these informal presentations involving live animals and/or museum specimens. These shows are presented in the auditorium at 2:30 pm and run for 20 minutes.
Nature Videos
Videos from the award-winning series "The Secret World of Gardens" are shown in the Auditorium at 11:00 am, 11:45 am and 12:30 pm. Runtimes are 22 minutes. No reservation is required.
Science at the Academy
This multimedia exhibit provides a glimpse into some of the research being conducted by the Academy’s world-renowned scientists. Showcasing a variety of organisms from our collections of over 17 million specimens, the exhibit reviews projects involving species classification, migration, and water quality monitoring. To see more of the collections, register for a Behind-the-Scenes Tour.
Fee-Based Exhibits and Programs
Butterflies!
Stroll amongst beautiful live butterflies and moths from around the world in our newly-constructed, elegant tropical garden. Observe colorful adults emerging from their pupae and examine metamorphosis in other creatures. Learn about butterfly habitats and explore various adaptations at interactive stations. Go to the Museum's web page on Butterflies!
- Reservation Required
- Length: 20-minute visit
- Fee: $1.50/participant
- Recommended for grades Pre-K through 6
The Big Dig
Watch your students become paleontologists as they dig for dinosaur fossils in a setting straight out of the Southwestern badlands. Staff interpret the experience and help identify finds. (To learn more, go to Museum's web page on The Big Dig.)
Reservations are required for groups. The visits last 20 minutes and the fee is $0.75 per child. The Big Dig is recommended for grades Pre-K through 5.
Outside In
Experience the outdoors, inside! A tortoise, rabbit, legless lizard and hissing cockroach are just a few of the live animals that you might meet and touch in this discovery center for children. Explore different habitats, examine a real meteorite, search for fossil footprints, dig for shark teeth, identify animal specimens, watch a working beehive and more. (To learn more, go to the Museum's web page on Outside In.)
Reservations are required for groups. The visits last 30 minutes and the fee is $1 per participant. Outside In is recommended for grades Pre-K through 6.
No more than 70 people may be in Outside In at any time (this includes adults). The maximum number for school groups 6th grade and older is 35.
