Whether it’s at the museum or in your classroom, we offer hands-on, exploratory, and interactive programs on a variety of topics that provide your students a fun way to learn about Indiana’s people, places and things through art, history and STEM connections. All programs fulfill select Indiana Academic Standards. Scroll below to find the program offerings for your grade category or download our Indiana State Museum Educator Guide.
DownloadEarly Childhood Programs (AGES 3-6)
To schedule any of the following programs, contact Early Childhood Program Manager Dru Corliss at 317.264.9867 or [email protected].
IN-MUSEUM
Preschool Journeys School Programs combine exhibit exploration time with a STEAM-based program in Firefly Landing, the museum’s early childhood learning space. Preschool Journeys at the museum are two hours long – one hour for the program, and one hour for a self-exploration in the museum exhibits.
In-museum cost: $6/student and chaperone, free for teachers. One adult required for every five students
Length: 2 hours (one hour for program, one hour for a self-exploration exhibit experience)
Outreach
Our Preschool Journeys Outreach Programs bring the museum experience to you! Young ones will be inspired by interactive story time and engage in hands-on STEAM exploration and creation. Outreach programs are 60 minutes and offer the same themes as the in-museum Preschool Journeys.
Outreach cost: $150/program
Travel fees: 30-60 miles=$20; 60-90 miles=$40; 90+ miles=$60
Cancellation Policy
School and outreach programs cancelled less than 72 hours before the day of the scheduled program will incur a $50 cancellation fee per program.
Artful Play
Scheduled upon request
Students will be inspired by artwork by Hoosier artists and will be able to create their own masterpieces. Through an interactive story time, hands-on STEAM-based stations and a collaborative project, your students will be transformed into artists.
Be an Engineer
Scheduled upon request
Students will be inspired by real inventions and interactive spaces as they engage with the engineering design process. Through hands-on STEAM-based projects, your students will become engineers as they learn to sketch, create, test and collaborate.
Ice Age Animals
Scheduled upon request
Step back in time with the help of Frozen Reign gallery to see what life was like during the Ice Age in Indiana. Students will be introduced to many Ice Age animals as they explore this interactive space, participate in hands-on experiments and take part in STEAM-based projects.
Nature Explorers
Scheduled upon request
Explore the basics of paleontology, archaeology and biology with a visit to the R.B. Annis Naturalist’s Lab. Students will observe real artifacts and objects and work with a digital microscope called the Micro Eye. Next, they will have a chance to become the expert and participate in hands-on activities inspired by nature.
OBJECT INVESTIGATION
Scheduled upon request
Explore the museum’s colorful and immersive space, Gallery One, where students will be able to interact with various objects in playful and engaging ways. Students will be introduced to object-based learning through an interactive story time, hands-on experiments and creating their own observational drawings.
Early Childhood Field Trips
Explore the museum galleries at your own pace during a self-guided field trip. Preschool and PreK classrooms of 10 or more may schedule a self-guided field trip at the Indiana State Museum.
Cost: $6/person; teachers and teacher assistants are free; One adult required for every five students
Learn more
Indiana State Museum Explore Programs
IN-MUSEUM DETAILS
Dates: Offered Wednesday-Friday, from August 2023 through May 2024
Length: 60 minutes
Min./max. number of students: 15/25
Cost: $4/student ($60 fee for fewer than 15 students)
OUTREACH DETAILS
Dates: Offered Monday-Friday, year-round
Length: 60 minutes
Max. number of students: 25
Cost: $150/program
Travel fees: 30-60 miles=$20; 60-90 miles=$40; 90+ miles=$60
Cancellation policy
School and outreach programs cancelled less than 72 hours before the day of the scheduled program will incur a $50 cancellation fee per program.
Explore by grade level
KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 2 PROGRAMS
To schedule any of the following programs, contact School Programs Manager Brittney Basaran at 317.409.7136 or [email protected] with questions.
Engineering Explorations
Explore how objects move as students engineer a solution to help our museum paleontologists at a dig site. Students will use the design process to brainstorm solutions, build prototypes and test their creation just like real Indiana engineers.
ICE AGE SURVIVIAL
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.
Indiana Innovators
Students will explore how creations from Indiana innovators sparked ingenuity and even improvements of their inventions. Students will challenge themselves and see if they can improve an object they use every week.
Planetarium Show
Grades K-6
Light up your student’s day when the stars come out during our STARLAB planetarium program. Native American tribes across Indiana and North America have different stories explaining the night sky and constellations. We’ll explore the stories and discover the science behind them during this 45-minute planetarium show.
Max: 25 students and adults combined per planetarium show
Fee: $100 per planetarium show
We can come to you! We can set up the planetarium in a gym, cafeteria, multipurpose room or stage. We require a floor space of 25”x25”, ceilings that are at least 10.5” feet tall, and access to an electrical outlet. Outreach fee is $150 per show.
To schedule, contact School Programs Manager Brittney Basaran at 317.409.7136 or [email protected] with questions.
GRADES 3-5 PROGRAMS
To schedule any of the following programs, contact School Programs Manager Brittney Basaran at 317.409.7136 or [email protected] with questions.
ENGINEERING DESIGN
Explore how objects are affected by forces and energy as students engineer devices to launch objects. Students will use the design process to brainstorm solutions, build prototypes and test their creation just like real Indiana engineers.
FOSSIL DIG DISCOVERY
Discover first-hand how paleontologists search and uncover ice age fossils. Students will also investigate what can be learned about an extinct animal when there are only fossils left behind.
FOSSIL FORMATIONS
How does a living creature become a fossil? Why doesn’t everything become a fossil? What clues do fossils leave behind? Students will investigate these questions as they explore the process from living creature to its discovery as a fossil.
PIONEERING INNOVATIONS
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 and will design and build their own compound machine.
Presidential Patent and Innovations
Abraham Lincoln is the only president to have a patent and was the first president to use electronic messaging to communicate to his troops. Explore how telegraphs work and decode a telegram. Students will also test their ingenuity to create a prototype that could have worked alongside Lincoln’s patent.
ROCKS AND MINERALS
Indiana is home to a wide variety of rocks and minerals. How did they end up here? How do we use rocks and minerals every day in small and big ways? Students will explore the rock cycle and investigate rocks and minerals through hands-on activities.
GRADES 6-8 PROGRAMS
To schedule any of the following programs, contact School Programs Manager Brittney Basaran at 317.409.7136 or [email protected] with questions.
ENERGY CONSERVATION
What energy is needed at school and home? Students will explore how we use the Earth’s resources, both renewable and non-renewable, to provide the energy we need to learn, explore and live.
ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS
Explore Newton’s Laws of Motion as students engineer a solution to protect fragile fossils as they are transported back to the museum. Students will use the design process to brainstorm solutions, build prototypes and test their creations, and reflect on the process just like real Indiana engineers.
VOICES FROM THE PAST
How can we learn from past civilizations? How do archaeologists piece together the puzzle of how they lived? How can the past shape our future? Students will explore stories uncovered through the archaeological process and consider what future archaeologists will discover about our lives.
GRADES 6-12 PROGRAM
To schedule any of the following programs, contact School Programs Manager Brittney Basaran at 317.409.7136 or [email protected] with questions.
Beyond Myth and Legend
Abraham Lincoln called Indiana home as a child and young man and would later become the 16th President of the United States. Major Taylor was a world-class athlete and cycling’s first African American champion. Using primary sources and their own words, compare their experiences and what was reported as we dive it into what it means to accurately portray history and the people who shape Indiana’s history.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Schools or educational organizations may qualify for one of Indiana State Museum’s many school or outreach programs for free.
This is made possible with funding provided by the Indiana Academy of Science. Those who qualify for a free science program may also receive transportation reimbursement.
Applications are now available and accepted on a rolling basis. Schools will be notified whether their application is approved or placed on a wait list. Click here to submit the application.
Please contact Brittney Basaran, school program manager, at 317.409.7136 or [email protected] with questions.
State Historic Site Explore Programs
Whether it’s at the site or outreach, we offer hands-on, exploratory and interactive programs on a variety of topics that provide your students a fun way to learn about Indiana’s people, places and things. All programs fulfill select Indiana Academic Standards.
