PLENTY TO SEE AND DO for K-12 STUDENTS

Programs designed to engage and excite

Whether its at the museum or in your classroom, our hands-on activities provide your students with a fun way to learn about Indiana's people, places and things through art, history and STEM connections.

With topics ranging from Ice Age exploration to rocks and minerals to engineering solutions our guided programs led by trained educators are designed to make an impact on your students.

K-12 Programs at the Museum

Introduce your students to the excitement of the museum with a variety of programs created just for them! All programs are aligned to Indiana academic standards. Offered Wednesday–Friday, Aug. through May. See program options below. Registration is required. A non-refundable booking deposit of $50 is required and will be applied toward the total fee. To book a program, please email us at education@indianamuseum.org or call 317.741.5832.

Duration
45 minutes
Cost
$75/groups of up to 15 students, $5/each additional student
Capacity
15-25 students
Scholarships
Schools or educational organizations may qualify for one of the Indiana State Museum’s school or outreach programs for free.

K-12 Programs at Your School

Can’t make it to the museum? We’ll bring the museum to you! Offered Monday–Friday, Aug. through May. All programs are aligned to Indiana academic standards. See program options below. Registration is required. A non-refundable booking deposit of $50 is required and will be applied toward the total fee. To book a program, please email us at education@indianamuseum.org or call 317.741.5832.

Duration
45 minutes
Cost
$150/program, $125/additional programs on same day

Travel Fees
30–60 miles: $20
60–90 miles: $40
90+ miles: $60
Capacity
Up to 25 students per program
Scholarships
Schools or educational organizations may qualify for one of the Indiana State Museum’s school or outreach programs for free.

School and Family Night Events

Family engagement is important to creating a connection that extends learning beyond your program. If you have a school or family event and are looking for hands-on activities for all ages, we’ve got you covered. We’ll help plan an event at your school for your families, either during the day or in the evening.

We’ll provide the necessary materials and a museum team member for set up, 30-minutes of training for station volunteers, oversight and problem-solving during the event, and clean up afterwards. You will need to supply space, one table for each station with electrical outlet access if needed, and one volunteer per station.

Cost
$125 for the first activity station, $100 per additional station up to 3 hours

For Questions or to book

EXPLORE OUR K-12 PROGRAMS

Engineering Explorations (K-grade 2)

Students engineer solutions to help our museum paleontologists uncover and move fossils over a creek. They will use the design process to brainstorm solutions, build prototypes and test their creations just like real Indiana engineers.

IN Academic Standards
Ice Age Survival (K-grade 2)

What adaptations helped animals survive during the Ice Age? Do we see these adaptations in present-day animals? Students will investigate and discuss what adaptations future animals will have based on our changing environment.

IN Academic Standards
Indiana Innovators (K-grade 2)

Explore how creations from Indiana innovators like Wilbur Wright sparked ingenuity and change as students create their own inventions. They will be challenged to work as a team and create a prototype to solve a problem at school.

IN Academic Standards
Engineering Design (grades 3-5)

Students will use the design process to brainstorm solutions, build prototypes and test their creations just like real Indiana engineers. They'll also explore potential and kinetic energy as they engineer devices to launch objects.

IN Academic Standards
Fossil Dig Discovery (grades 3-5)

Students will discover first-hand how paleontologists search and uncover Paleozoic and Ice Age fossils while investigating dig pits, examining a real fossil slab, and making their own trace fossil.

IN Academic Standards
Fossil Formations (grades 3-5)

Students will delve into the process of how living creatures become fossils, learn about fossil records and explore the clues fossils leave behind - just like an Indiana paleontologist!

IN Academic Standards
Pioneer Innovations (grades 3-5)

Pioneers used simple machines and engineering to create a new life in Indiana. Students will explore how simple machines and innovations made their life easier as they design and build their own compound machine.

IN Academic Standards
Rocks and Minerals (grades 3-5)

Indiana is home to a wide variety of rocks and minerals! It's the perfect place for students to explore the rock cycle, and investigate rocks and minerals like a geologist through hands-on activities.

IN Academic Standards
Engineering Solutions (grades 6-8)

Students will explore Newton’s Laws of Motion while engineering a solution to protect fragile fossils as they are transported back to the museum. They will use the design process to brainstorm solutions, build prototypes and test their creations, and then reflect on the process - just like real Indiana engineers!

IN Academic Standards