AT THE MUSEUM

Gallery Investigations

Self-guided Visits
Available all year
Conduct your own self-guided visit and enjoy the Museum's exhibitions and films in the giant-screen theater. Curriculum materials are available for most exhibitions. Teachers may arrange to preview exhibitions by calling 619.255.0210.

Days: Daily from 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Fee: $4 per student
Group size: 10 students minimum; one adult per eight students is required and admitted at no charge. Additional adults $6 each.

Special exhibition!
Body Worlds 2 & The Brain—Our Three Pound Gem: The Original Exhibition of Real Human Bodies
Available March–September 2009
The BODY WORLDS exhibitions have been hailed by many as the most educational exhibitions ever created to improve the public’s awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the human body. Thanks to a process developed by Dr. Gunther von Hagens called “plastination,” these exhibitions feature dynamic, whole-body plastinates that are unparalleled for their aesthetic and informative value. Visitor studies have shown that people who see BODY WORLDS exhibitions have made lifestyle changes in diet, alcohol, smoking, and exercise habits to improve their health. BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain—Our Three Pound Gem focuses on the brain.

California State Standards
Grades 9–12 Life Sciences Physiology
Grade 7 Physical Principles in Living Systems


Grades: Recommended for grades 5 and up
Fee: Grades 5–8 require one adult chaperone per eight students; grades 9–12 require one adult chaperone per twelve students. Friday–Sunday and holidays, $17 per person; Monday–Thursday, $15 per person
Call 619.255.0210 or email groupregistration@sdnhm.org to schedule date and time for school group visit.

Habitats of San Diego
Available October–May
Visit our Discovery Center. Docents will lead small groups on a journey through unique San Diego County environments from the seashore to the desert.
California State Standards

Explore Fossil Mysteries
Available October–May
Travel through time with Docent guides in the Museum’s permanent exhibition, Fossil Mysteries. Discover extraordinary San Diego and Baja California through this spectacular collection of regional fossils, interactives, and to-scale reproductions of ancient species.
California State Standards

Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Fee: $6 per student (includes General Admission to the Museum)
Times: 10 AM or 11 AM
Group size: 32 students maximum per session

Science Workshops

Nature Science Seminar—Weather!
Call for available dates
Immerse your students in meteorology. This 10-hour course may be taken over three or five days. Students will conduct experiments in our learning lab, visit the galleries, and investigate the atmospheric conditions of beautiful Balboa Park
California State Standards

Days: Weekdays
Fee: $50 per student
Times: Flexible
Group size: 20 students minimum

AT YOUR SCHOOL SITE

Science Workshops

It’s Elemental—The State of Things
Available October–June
Chemistry is basic to an understanding of the natural world and an important part of fifth grade science standards. Explore the properties of matter and get cozy with atoms, molecules and the periodic table.
California State Standards

It’s Elemental—Making and Breaking Bonds
Available October–June
Build on your chemistry knowledge in this more advanced class. Take a closer look at elements and compounds. Make a lava lamp and create bouncing putty!
California State Standards

Eyes on Nature
Available October–June
Your students will be writing like poets! Connect science and language arts. Examine mysterious natural objects and learn to see and write from a new perspective.
California State Standards

Days: Weekdays
Fee: $195 for two 1.5-hour sessions, $80 for an additional session; same day, same room, same topic, limit three sessions per day
Times: Flexible
Group size: 32 students maximum per session

Museum on Wheels

Fossil Tales of San Diego
Available October–May
Saber toothed cats and sloths and walruses—oh my! Take a close look at San Diego’s distant past by examining the fossil clues.
California State Standards

Nature's Night Life
Available October–May
Who comes out at night? Explore the special adaptations of some of San Diego County's nocturnal creatures.
California State Standards

Life in the Desert
Available October–May
How do living organisms adapt to extreme conditions? Discover the fascinating plants and animals that inhabit our local deserts.
California State Standards

Roadrunners
Available October–May
San Diego is a hotspot of biodiversity. Learn all about the wild inhabitants that have adapted to survive in the varied habitats of our county.
California State Standards

Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Fee: $155 per school visit for two one-hour sessions; same day, same room, same topic, limit three sessions per day
Times: 9:30 and 10:45 AM
Group size: 20 students maximum per session

Snakes and Lizards of Southern California
Available September–June
In your classroom, our expert reptile handler will introduce live animals for an up-close experience with local and rescued reptile species.

Days: Weekdays
Fee: $225 for a one-hour session; $325 for two one-hour sessions
Times: Flexible
Group size: 60 students maximum per session


IN THE FIELD

Nature Walks
Available October–May
Experience the natural beauty of San Diego County on a one-hour nature walk led by the Museum's Canyoneers (trained volunteer naturalists). Learn about native plants and animals and how they have adapted to their environment. Choose from a selection of popular walk locations.

Days: Fridays
Fee: $2 per student, $30 minimum per class
Times: 9:30 or 10:45 AM
Group size: 32 students maximum

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