In-Museum Programs

A two-part program! First, a costumed interpreter makes a dramatic presentation on the life of this temple chantress. This peek at life in ancient Egypt also includes a “demonstration” of the mummification process! Then a Museum Educator will lead you to the Egyptian Gallery to give detail on some of the most asked about artifacts and will be available to answer student questions. 

Maximum: 60 students
Program Duration: 60 minutes
Fee: $85
Exhibit connection: Unearthing Ancient Egypt 
Giant Screen 3D film connection: “Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs”

Engineers work together to solve the major challenges of our time and shape the world of today and tomorrow. Introduce your students to the engineering design process using design challenges that promote teamwork, critical thinking, creativity and problem solving. Your students might make a paper tower that can withstand as much wind as possible, without sliding or toppling over or  build a house of cards to find out how much weight it can support before it collapses. What problems in our world will your students help to solve?

Animal skulls are great tools for teaching students about the diversity of wildlife and the special role each animal plays in its natural habitat. Your students will learn to “read” the clues that skulls provide by participating in these lively hands-on lessons: Predator or prey? Herbivore, carnivore or omnivore? Nocturnal or diurnal?

Maximum Group Size: 25 students
Duration: 35 minutes
Fee: $45
Exhibit connection: Hall of Mammals and Black Earth | Big River

Downloads:
The Case of the Talking Skulls Pre-visit.
The Case of the Talking Skulls Post-visit

Water is needed to produce everything we use today, but how much water do we really use? Can we “reuse” water or how does a water filter keep our water clean? What are some of the pollutants in our watershed and what can we do to help? Learn to become aware of our local environment through these hands-on demonstrations of water activities.

Maximum Group Size: 25 students
Duration: 30 minutes
Fee: $45
Exhibit Connection: Black Earth | Big River | Molecules in Motion

Downloads:
Every Drop Counts Pre-visit Material
Every Drop Counts Post-visit Material 

Copper tape, Batteries, and LED’S oh my!! Simplicity is key when it comes to making electricity. Let us help teach your students in an electrifying class all about how simple circuits work. Cost of materials may apply.

Maximum Group Size: 25 students
Duration: 30 minutes
Fee: $45
Exhibit connection: Science Center
Giant Screen 3D film connection: "Robots" &  "Dream Big"

Be sure to check out these resources for before and after your visit!

Discover the secret life of animals under the sea! Why do starfish and sea urchins have tube feet? Find out with the Putnam! Hands-on activities and the exploration of light and pressure -- not to mention how we can all do our part to protect the ocean -- waits! 

Maximum Group Size: 25 students
Duration: 30 minutes
Fee: $45
Exhibit connection: Ocean Experience
Giant Screen 3D Film Connection: "Last Reef," "Humpback Whales," "Wild Ocean" & "DeepSea Challenge"

Download these pre-visit materials:
K-2 Pre-Visit Materials
3-5 Pre-Visit Materials

Download these post-visit materials:
Coral Reefs and Beyond K-2 Post-Visit
Coral Reefs and Beyond 3-5 Post-Visit

A total immersion experience transports your students to Ellis Island in the early 1900s. Students will be engaged in a role-play interrogation as they attempt to gain entry into the United States. This presentation includes actual stories of immigrants and their journeys to this region. A pre-visit Ship’s Manifest activity is suggested to enhance your students’ involvement, along with a treasure hunt for students to complete as they explore the River, Prairie & People exhibit hall.

Maximum Group Size: 60 students
Duration: 45 minutes
Fee: $85
Exhibit connection: River, Prairie & People

Downloads:
Stranger in a Strange Land Pre-visit Material
Stranger in a Strange Land Pre-visit Manifest
Stranger in a Strange Land Post-visit Material

Get ready to twist, rumble and…get wet? Exploring the earth’s wonders of weather. Participants create their own tornados, examine hurricanes and electrical storms. Classes will also take a look at how clouds are formed in a unique demonstration.

Maximum Group Size: 25 students
Duration: 30 minutes
Fee: $45
Exhibit Connection: Science Center
Giant Screen 3D Film Connection: "Extreme Weather," "Tornado Alley" & "Forces of Nature"

Download Pre-Visit Materials:
Weather Rocks! Pre-Visit Material

Download Post-Visit Materials:
Weather Rocks! Post-Visit Material

Reinforce important basic skills when you visit the Putnam! Our youngest school visitors can now check out a Preschool Pack to explore the Exhibit Halls.  

Just enter an exhibit, reach into the pack and pull out a special object – a letter, number, color or more – then make the connection to an object in the Exhibit Hall. Infinite possibilities to use over and over. FREE! Must be booked in advanced. One pack recommended for every 3-5 students. For more information, contact Patty Schuch at pschuch@putnam.org.

Available for students in early elementary through high school, Putnam scavenger hunts can be printed before visits and provide an excellent framework for your students to explore the contents of our 120,000 sq. ft. facility. 

Download Scavenger Hunt worksheets and their keys:
Scavenger Hunt: Grades 2-6
KEY Scavenger Hunt: Grades 2-6
Exhibit Hall Hunt: Grades 7-12
KEY Exhibit Hall Hunt: Grades 7-12