Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

GEOFEST: THE INDIANA STATE MUSEUM GEM, FOSSIL AND MINERAL SHOW

K-Grade 12
Feb. 21-23, 2025, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Included with admission 

Bring your students to explore Paleozoic seas, discover mysteries in Ice Age caves, test their knowledge of Indiana’s geology and investigate the world under their feet. Hands-on activities and million-year-old specimens in our galleries help illustrate Indiana’s geological past. Shopping for gems, fossils and minerals from around the globe is available.

Registration is required by calling Visitor Services at 317.232.1637. 

STEAM DAY

K-Grade 6
March 5-6, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
$6/student, $2/chaperone, free for teachers 

$50 non-refundable deposit required at least two weeks prior to program to secure reservation.  Deposit will go towards total program fee. 

Students will connect to the museum on a deeper level as they interact with hands-on, minds-on activities throughout the museum on these special STEAM Days. The galleries will have 8-10 activities spread throughout all three levels to tinker and discover Indiana’s connections to science, technology, engineering, art and math. Look for a special bonus outside the Education Center for a design challenge that will have your students creating prototypes to solve a real-world challenge. 

There is limited space so register early! Only STEAM-related field trips are offered during this time. No self-guided field trips available on these days. 

Click here to book your trip. Fill out the form and select ‘STEAM Days” from the ‘any additional programming?’ drop down menu. Contact Brittney Basaran at 317.409.7136 or [email protected] with any questions. 

ANNUAL PINEWOOD DERBY®

K-Grade 12
March 26-April 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Included with admission

On your mark, get set … for the second-greatest spectacle in racing! The Indiana State Museum and Scouting America invite you to build and race Pinewood Derby cars down the two-story, 125-foot racetrack and watch them speed across the finish line! Learn more here. 

ANNUAL ECO-SCIENCE CHALLENGE

K-Grade 12
April 25, 2025, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Included with admission 

Deadline for application: April 12, 2025 

Innovative Hoosier students are invited to get involved in becoming the solution to global climate issues. Students can submit science challenge projects on a range of topics including aquaculture, vermiculture, composting, social awareness, urban farming, alternative energy and recycling initiatives in their schools and communities. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the schools of the winning students to assist in continuing eco-science-related work.

Fill out the Eco-Science Challenge application.

Click here to book your trip. Fill out the form and select ‘Eco-Science Challenge” from the ‘any additional programming?’ drop down menu. Contact Brittney Basaran at 317.409.7136 or [email protected] with any questions.