The North Museum is a wonderful resource for educators. The North Museum
generates excitement and curiosity about natural history, science and
technology. From outer space to local Native American peoples, rocks and
minerals to dinosaurs, the Live Animal Room to the Discovery Room, your group
can explore the diverse world of natural history and science. With permanent
and temporary exhibitions, a planetarium, extensive natural history collections,
and enthusiastic, knowledgeable guides we are able to meet the needs of learners
of all ages.
Please call (717) 291-4371 for additional information.
Girl Scout Programs
2007/08 Group Programs K-12 Guided Tours
Use a guided tour to enrich your group’s experience. Our staff provides
valuable information about the galleries,
exhibits, artifacts, and specimens. We’ll work with you to address your
group’s curriculum or academic standards. The recommended length
for your guided tour is 90 minutes and can include up to four of the
Museum’s exhibitions. Additional time is needed to include a planetarium
program or a visit to the Museum shop.
Please have the following information ready:
Preferred and two alternate dates
Number of participants and chaperones
Age or grade of visitors
Arrival and departure time
Your tour and planetarium choices
Guided Tour Prices
Tour only $6.50 per person
Tour and planetarium $8.50 per person
One complementary admission is given for every 10 paid admissions.
Reservation Guidelines:
Guided tours are available Tuesday – Friday throughout the year.
Reservations are required at least 2 weeks before the requested date.
A group of at least ten is required to schedule a guided tour.
A group of at least twenty is required to schedule a planetarium program.
Shopping can be included, but must be scheduled as part of your tour.
Prices, exhibitions, and programs are subject to change. Memberships do not
apply to group tours.
Exhibitions
Beakman's World September 22, 2007 - January 13, 2008 Beakman's World is an interactive, hands-on exhibit that encourages students to investigate and explore displays in four content areas. Students will be divided into groups and with the help of a Museum Docent will participate in a dinosaur dig and sort fossils in Prehistoric Passage, visit a rainforest and examine the biodiversity of animals in Jungle Journey, understand how math and physics are uncovering the secrets of how our planet was born in Space Travelers, and experience self discovery in What are We Made of?
Cabinet Museum Learn about birds, rocks,
and bugs galore as you explore the Museum’s natural history collections.
What can they teach us about our world? A scavenger hunt tailored to your
group’s age will open your students’ eyes to a wide variety of amazing
specimens. Learn fascinating facts for your next outdoor adventure.
Dinosaur Gallery Look for clues in the
fossil record as you examine claws, teeth, and bones. Investigate
models of other prehistoric animals and compare them to modern day animals
to gain a better understanding of these ancient creatures.
Discovery Room Handle and touch
specimens and artifacts as you explore many wonders of natural history and
science. Discovery boxes provide hands-on experiences with natural objects
such as rocks, shells, or animal feet. Make observations and ask questions
to identify artifacts.
Fluorescent Room Explore the
electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to gamma waves. Be a geologist
and learn how ultraviolet light is used to identify rocks and minerals, or
sneak a peek at organic objects exposed to ultraviolet light. What do you
look like under ultraviolet light?
Hall of the Cosmos Discover the universe
— from the solar system to galaxies and beyond. Interact with
Pennsylvania’s only digital video globe, the Magic Planet. Its stunning
visual impact reveals authentic representations of weather systems,
earthquakes, planets, and more!
Live Animal Room Understand how
zoologists classify animals based on a variety of traits. Explore some of
the unique characteristics of insects, arthropods, reptiles, and amphibians
as you classify examples of the
Museum’s live animals. Pay attention and look carefully – not all
characteristics are visible. Touching is encouraged.
Natives of the Susquehanna Trace the
history and culture of the earliest native inhabitants along the River, from
Paleo-Indians to the Susquehannocks. This new exhibition includes original
images illustrating their everyday life and hundreds of artifacts revealing
the story of early life in the Lancaster County region.
Planetarium
Explore the universe from the arms of the Milky Way galaxy to the distant
reaches of observable space! Experience the night sky in the largest
planetarium in Central Pennsylvania. Our all-sky system and video imagery
create a multi-sensory learning environment. Programs range from 35-45
minutes.
In My Backyard Kindergarten - Grade 1 Enjoy a scientific
journey as entertainer Fred Penner takes you from your backyard to the
stars. While singing to Fred’s clapalong songs, learn about the seasons,
constellations, planets, and the moon.
Hercules and Other Superhero Stars Grade 1 - 3
Join Hercules and his fellow superhero friends as they help
Deanna learn about the stars. Superheroes provide key concepts including
shapes, sizes, colors, temperatures and the life cycle of stars.
Our Place In Space Grade 1 - 3
Scarlett the parrot needs your help! To solve a crossword puzzle about
space, Scarlett and her friends explore the cause of day and night, the
importance of the Sun, the beauty of the constellations, and the variety of
objects that make up the Universe.
Rusty Rocket’s Last Blast Grade 2 - 4
Join Rusty Rocket as he takes you and his new recruits to each of
the planets of our solar system. Also learn about the difficulty of
“escaping” Earth’s gravity, pioneering spacecraft that have explored the
solar system, and the vast distances between the planets.
The StarGazer Grade 7 & older
Experience the joys of stargazing through the eyes of astronomer Dr. James
Kaler. From stellar birth to their death, this program is all about the
stars. Stargazer is narrated by Nichelle Nichols, cast member of the
original Star Trek ™ Series.
Night Sky Tour Grade 1 & older
Interact with planetarium staff for a live tour of the current night sky.
Learn how to identify stars, constellations, and planets.
Lancaster County Elementary
Envirothon
The North Museum is a great place for Envirothon teams to prepare for the
annual competition scheduled each
spring. We have many of the mammals, birds, and insects that are on the
study list. These specimens will be highlighted within Museum exhibits
for easy identification. Call after February 1 to make a reservation
for
this study opportunity.
Science Loan Kits are self-contained units that include a whole lot of education and FUN! A teacher’s guide relates the contents to the appropriate Academic Standards. Materials in each kit may include specimens
and artifacts, display items, videos, games, and books as well as other educational resources. These kits make a great pre-visit activity before coming to the Museum. Borrowers must pick-up and return the kits.
Price: One week $30; Two weeks $55 Security deposit: $50 Earth Science Introduce middle school students to Pennsylvania rocks and fossils. Use a karst cave model to study the formation of caves and life underground. The kit includes information about Lancaster County geology and mining.
Rocks & Minerals Be a geologist! Examine a variety of rock specimens to learn about minerals and the rock cycle. Learn about the earth’s layers, plate tectonics, and soil. Investigate careers in the field of geology.
Mammals I Learn about mammals that live in Lancaster County fields and backyards. Discover their habitats and become familiar with footprints. Compare their furs, tails, and skulls.
Mammals II Take a closer look at Pennsylvania mammals and discover some of their unique characteristics including antlers, eyes, and teeth. Learn about adaptations and discover the relationship between predators
and prey.
People of the Susquehanna Glimpse into the lives of the eastern Woodland Indians. Explore artifacts and replicas to learn about tools and the importance of animals in their daily lives.
Electricity and Magnetism Ideas, activities, and experiments get students excited about these amazing forces. Includes many resources to instruct your students in magnetism, batteries, electric circuits, and solar energy.
Ocean Animals Numerous activities and materials introduce students to marine life. Information about marine mammals, turtles, birds, and other animals encourage students to better understand relationships that improve
chances for survival.
Telescopes
If you have always wanted to use a telescope to see the wonders of the night
sky, the North Museum offers 4.5” Orion reflecting telescopes to rent.
Rental includes a training session for the adult borrower, a star book,
accessories, and a user’s guide.
Price: 1 week $55; 2 weeks $100 Security deposit: $100
Outreach programs
Programs at your location are available on a limited basis. Topics relate to
natural history and include hands-on specimens. Group presentations are
designed for 20 – 100 participants depending on age and topic. Multiple
presentations are also available. Pricing begins at $150. Call
717-291-4371 for more information.
Starlab Grade 3 - 8 Have a
planetarium come to you! Crawl inside a large inflatable dome to experience
a sky full of stars! Perfect for science fairs, fund-raisers, reward days,
multiple classes, library, and scout programs. The Starlab requires
electrical outlets, a ceiling height of 10.5’, and floor space 21’ x 8’.
© 2003 The North Museum of Natural History and Science
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400 College Avenue - Lancaster, PA 17603-3393
Phone: (717) 291-3941
