In-Museum Programs
Pre-K - 12 Grade
Looking for an interactive boost to your school’s field trip? Look no further than our wide array of in-museum programs and guided tours! Review the options below and find out which is best for your class.
For more information or to sign up for any of our in-museum programs or tours, please contact Education Services Coordinator Bridget Boyd-Carlson at 563-336-7308 or email
bboyd-carlson@putnam.org.
Our thanks to 3M Foundation for supporting programs for schools.
Additional Information for Educators
Ancient Egypt: Isis Neferit
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.
Capacity: 60 students
Length: 60 minutes
Cost: $85
Exhibit Connection: Unearthing Ancient Egypt
Giant Screen 3D Film Connection: Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
Innovations of Engineering
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?
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $65
Every Drop Counts
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.
Capacity: 30 students
Length: 30 minutes
Cost: $45
Exhibit Connection: Black Earth | Big River &
Science Center: Molecules in Motion
Downloads:
Every Drop Counts Pre-visit Materials
- Coming soon!
Every Drop Counts Post-visit Materials
- Coming soon!
Stranger in a Strange Land
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.
Capacity: 60 students
Length: 45 minutes
Cost: $65
Exhibit Connection: River, Prairie & People
Downloads:
Stranger in a Strange Land Pre-visit Material
- Coming soon!
Stranger in a Strange Land Pre-visit Manifest
Stranger in a Strange Land Post-visit Material
- Coming soon!
Preschool Packs
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.
Discovery Dome
An educational "out-of-this-world" experience!
Learn more
IMMERSE
Immerse your classroom in a week long visit to the Museum.
Learn more
Educator Resource Guide
Learn how your class can visit and experience the Putnam, or how we can bring the Putnam to you!
Click to Download