Bringing learning to life, in your classroom or ours.
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 any of our public museums 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
In person field trip options are available for students at all three of our public museum sites: Morrill Hall (Lincoln), Ashfall Fossil Beds (Royal), and Trailside Museum (Crawford). Each site has slightly different program and field trip opportunities. But we're sure your students will build collaboration and critical thinking as they explore exhibits at any of our locations. Learn more about what each site has to offer below.
Morrill Hall Field Trips
Located on UNL's campus, Morrill Hall offers a variety of field trip options.
- 45-minute educator led programs on different topics, aligned with Nebraska College and Career Ready Standards
- Self-guided field trips where students explore exhibits on their own
- Planetarium programs exploring science and the galaxy
Advance registration is REQUIRED for guided field trips or to receive the group discount for self-guided field trips.
Learn More
Ashfall Fossil Beds
A national, natural landmark located near Royal, Nebraska offering field trips April-October.
- Staff or researcher led 1-hour tours
- Self-guided field trips allowing individual exploration of the rhino barn, visitor center, and nature trails
Advance registration is required for staff-led tours.
Trailside Museum Field Trips
Trailside Museum is located inside Fort Robinson near Crawford.
- Staff led group tour
- Self-guided museum exploration
Advance notice is not required for group visits, but is appreciated. Staff tours are based on staff availability.
Learn More
UNL Class Visits: 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.
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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.
Learn More
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.
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.