Outreach Programs

Outreach programs are specially designed, SOL-correlated presentations in your school classroom or auditorium. Staff scientists/insructors from the Virginia Living Museum’s Education Department introduce your class to a variety of natural science topics through the use of live animals, museum artifacts and active student participation in an exciting 'hands-on' format. Programs are specifically designed to function as both an introduction to SOL topics and as reinforcement of previously taught science concepts.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the Reservations Coordinator at 757-595-9135 Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  or fill out the on-line request form.

Funded in part by Rouse-Bottom Foundation, Inc.

CLASSROOM PROGRAMS GRADES PreK - 3

Length of Program: 45 minutes

Number of Students: 60 maximum

Fee: $225 first program

$195 per additional program - same day

Grade PreK

(Two identical 'mini-sessions' make up each program; 20 students maximum per mini-session.)  

Young students embark on a "classroom hike" to discover the fascinating world of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Live animals and hands-on natural objects will encourage young students to appreciate and respect living creatures while providing them with a memorable introduction to upcoming SOL concepts.

Grades K-1

SOLs K.1  K.6  1.5 

In this up close and personal introduction to Virginia wildlife, students compare living mammals, birds and reptiles, to learn about their habitats, and discover some of the special adaptations they have for getting around, avoiding predators and finding food.

Grades 1-2

SOLs 1.5  2.4  2.5 

Follow the life cycles of animals that live nearby in the forest. As students meet a variety of live animals they discover why some animal babies don't look like their parents, find out how these animals change during their lives and learn how they can help protect these animals' woodland habitat.

Grades 2-3

SOLs 2.5  3.4  3.5 

Each animal's struggle for survival makes all animals depend on each other Through the introduction of living "links" from Tidewtaer food chains, students will better understand the role of green plants in food chains, learn how predators and their prey depend on one another and discover the important role that decomposers play.

Grades 3-7

Science SOLs will be correlated toyour grade level - 3.5, 3.8, 3.10, 4.5, 5.5, LS.5, LS.7, LS.9, LS.10 

Designed to reinforce multiple life science SOL concepts, this program features live animals, specimens from the museum's collections and audience participation in a memorable large group format. Students compare and contrast physical and behavioral adaptations and actively participate in activities that help them better understand how animals locate food, escape predators and overcome survival challenges every day in the wild.