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Grades 3-5



Mint Your Own Coin

That change jangling in your pocket is more than money—it's a record of where and when you live. Find out why coins are valuable clues for archaeologists. Then, design your perfect coin. 



What Do You Know about Astronomy?

How much do you really know about our place in space? Test your astronomy knowledge with this interactive quiz. Don't worry, there's no grading—just a helpful look at the answers when you're done! 



Crazy Camouflage

Unlike humans, some animals can instantly change the color or pattern of their skin. Take a hands-on look at how the masters of disguise known as flounders can don several different looks.



They Glow!

Most of the deep sea is very dark, with little or no sunlight. But that doesn't mean marine animals are in the dark! Learn how these clever creatures create their own light.


Classroom Activity

Make a Scale Drawing

It’s time to excavate the contents of your desk—that is, after you first create a scale drawing of the site. Explore how precise mapping helps archaeologists keep track of their finds.


Classroom Activity

Making Mosaics

Vivid mosaics of stone and glass cubes—some enhanced with precious gold leaf—once gleamed from the floor, walls, and ceiling of the Petra Church. Learn how to make your own colorful masterpiece.

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Just Add Water!


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That's Heavy!

This "heavy" experiment allows students to discover that salt water sinks in fresh water.

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Water vs. Land

Brainstorm with your students a list of things that are possible in water that are not possible on land, and vice versa.


Classroom Activity

Be an Ocean Biodiversity Detective!

In this activity students will collect and closely observe specimens that have washed ashore to recognize different kinds of small ocean organisms.


American Museum of Natural History

Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024-5192
Phone: 212-769-5100

Open daily from 10 am - 5:45 pm
except on Thanksgiving and Christmas
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