Natural Science Programs 

Natural science programs offer a survey of fundamental topics in the life sciences - from animal adaptations to the importance of green plants to energy flow through food chains and even the study of snakes. Through the use of live animals, museum specimens and high-interest demonstrations, students become actively involved in these hands-on presentations. Natural Science Programs are designed to effectively introduce, reinforce or review science concepts in a way that makes them exciting and memorable.

Length of Session: 45 minutes

Number of Students: 60 maximum

Fee: (includes self guided tour of exhibits)

Contract schools: Please call for information

Non-contract schools: $9.75 per student ($360 minimum)

Classroom teacher and school staff are free. One chaperone is required for every 10 students and is admitted free.Additional chaperones are $16 each.

Follow the suggested procedures for reserving a Natural Science program. For more information or to make a reservation, call the Reservations Coordinator at 757-595-9135 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or fill out the on-line request form.

Funded in part by Ferguson. 

Bay BCs  

Grade K

SOLs K.1 K.2  K.7  K.11

From crabs and sea stars to turtles and birds, young students explore the rich variety of life that fills our Chesapeake Bay and learn simple ways to protect the Bay's fragile environment. 

 

Animal ABCs  

Grades 1-2

SOLs 1.1 1.5  2.1 2.4  2.5

Discover the animal ABCs of survival on land, air and water! Examine reptiles, birds and mammals for special adaptations that make it possible for them to climb, crawl, swim and fly. Special emphasis is given to frog and butterfly lifecycles.

Water Critters  

Grades 1-2

SOLs 1.1 1.5  2.1  2.5

Fins, flippers, body shapes and other unique adaptations for life in water are compared in various aquatic animals. "Hands-on" specimens—of frogs, turtles and even crabs truly bring water critters to life! 

Cycles of Survival  

Grades 2-3

SOLs 2.4  2.5  2.7  3.1  3.4  3.8

Where do bats, butterflies and birds go in winter? Why are some insects a tasty meal for an animal while others are left alone? Hibernation, dormancy, migration and mimicry - these and other fascinating animal adaptations and behaviors are explored and explained in this fun and engaging inquiry-based program.

Thinking Like a Scientist

Grades 2-3

SOLs 2.1 2.4  2.5  3.1  3.4  3.10

Observing, predicting, classifying, measuring, collecting data, and graphing are key elements in every good scientist's "toolbox." Students will hone these scientific investigative skills as they delve into mysteries based on real-life sea turtle research.

 

Dinosaurs  

Grades 3-4

SOLs 3.1  3.4  3.5  4.1  4.5

Introduce students to the fascinating world of fossil history with dinosaurs. Discover the most up-to-date information about T-Rex, "Brontosaurus" and other dinosaur relatives. Touch "living fossils" and meet a possible living descendant of these prehistoric giants.

Plants & Animals: Teamwork in Nature 
Grades 3-4

SOLs 3.4  3.5  3.6  3.7  3.8  3.10  3.11  4.4  4.5 

Do plants need animals? Or do animals need plants? The answer is "They need each other!" This program explores the amazing interactions of plants and animals with role-play activities, live animals and hands-on specimens from the museum's collections. Special emphasis is on plant structures and functions, pollination and how a wide variety of animals helps keep new generations of green plants sprouting. 

 

Web of Life  

Grades 3-4

SOLs 3.1 3.4  3.5  3.10  4.5

Piece together an ecological puzzle to reveal the basic concepts of photosynthesis, food chains and food webs. Meet "living" links that form nature's chain of energy and learn about fascinating adaptations that help them survive. 

Earth Under Foot 

Grade 5

SOLs 5.1  5.4  5.7

Our fascinating Earth constantly recycles itself! From igneous to metamorphic to sedimentary - the dynamic geologic forces illustrated by the rock cycle and Earth's structure are explored and explained in this engaging hands-on Earth science program.
 

Inside Skeletons!  
Grade 5

SOLs 5.1  5.5

See what fish, birds, frogs and other animals look like from the inside out as we compare living vertebrates and invertebrates with their skeletons. Learn how bones help bats fly, snakes crawl, moles dig and more! Examine a human skeleton to see how we fit into the bony world! 

Snakes Alive! 
Grade 5

SOLs 5.5

Meet some of the most fascinating but misunderstood animals— snakes! Learn about the natural history of snakes with a safe, close-up look at Virginia's venomous and non-venomous species.