Lesson for School Groups

Lesson Topics: All programs include an interactive lesson to introduce the chosen topic (35-45 minutes), real natural history specimens, and a scavenger hunt in the museum gallery.

These lessons are appropriate for students in second grade and above. Content will be adjusted for older groups of students.

  • Animal Adaptations: How do animals survive in their habitats? From camouflage to mimicry, learn how animals adapt to live in many different environments.
  • Butterflies & Moths: What are the differences between butterflies and moths? Learn about the metamorphosis of these beautiful insects.
  • Dinosaurs & Fossils: How realistic is Jurassic Park? Learn how fossils reveal clues about the Mesozoic era, when dinosaurs ruled the world.
  • Food Chains: Who eats whom and how is it all related? See how plants and animals fit into a variety of different food chains.
  • Insects & Other Arthropods: How are insects, spiders, and crabs related? Learn about the mysterious world of invertebrates with exoskeletons.
  • Ocean Life: What kinds of mysterious creatures inhabit the earth's vast oceans? Learn about the intriguing world of underwater life.
  • Pollinator Power!  Why are flowers so important to us? Learn about different animal pollinators and their impact on our lives.
  • Rocks & Minerals: Why is knowing about rocks important? Learn about how rocks form and some of the special properties of minerals.
  • Skeletons: What do animal bones look like? Learn how endo- and exo-skeletons of different animals provide support, protection, and movement.

These lessons are appropriate for students in fourth grade and above. Content will be adjusted for solder groups of students.

  • Evolution:  Variation, Inheritance, Adaptations, Selection, and Time are the principles of Natural Selection. Learn about these concepts and examine the evidence for evolution.
  • History of the Wagner: Who was William Wagner? Learn about the story behind the museum from its founding to the present. (PowerPoint presentation)
  • Human Body Systems: How does the human body function? Learn about the 11 body systems and their relationships with one another.
  • Urban Ecology: Is Philadelphia an ecosystem? Learn how many animals make the city their home and how we coexist in the concrete jungle.

Length of Visit: Ninety minutes.

Group Size: Minimum of 20 children, maximum of 60 children.

Chaperones: Please bring one adult for every 10 children.

Cost: All of our programs are free, although donations are encouraged. The recommended donation is $5 per child for a ninety-minute lesson. This is a suggestion - - any contribution your group can offer will make a difference.

Please read our Policies page before scheduling a visit.



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