Year: 2026

Galaxy Quest Academy

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Greetings, Earthlings!

Astronauts, aliens, androids, rockets, rovers, and robots! All are welcome in this sci-fi infused space camps. Learn about our place in space, space exploration, imagine the unknown, and design a stellar space craft and character. Campers will be coding, crafting, engineering, and exploring our world and beyond. Who will design the ultimate mission patch, helmet, or habitat? Can we perform the perfect moonwalk? Don’t miss this art-infused space camp experience this summer! It’s going to be EXTRA-terrestrial in the best way.

June 15 – 19
Full-Day Camp  |  9am – 4pm
Students going into 4th – 6th Grade

Full Day Summer Camps are $275 per week, members receive 20% off. 

SIGN UP
Contact Molly Franklin at mfranklin@putnam.org or (563) 336-7290 with any questions.


You can find other summer camp programs at the Putnam here.

Slime! Splat! Science!

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Things Are About to Get Messy!

Roll up your sleeves – things are about to get messy! In this hands-on science camp, students will explore exciting chemical reactions and tackle creative engineering challenges. From the classic egg drop experiment to daily slime recipes, campers will discover the science behind the mess.

June 8 – 12
Full-Day Camp  |  9am – 4pm
Students going into 4th – 6th Grade

This camp is SOLD OUT! Contact Molly Franklin at mfranklin@putnam.org or (563) 336-7290 to get on the waitlist.

 

You can find other summer camp programs at the Putnam here.

STEAM Girls

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Join Us For a Fun Week of STEAM!

Calling all Girls, join us for a fun week of STEAM! Dive into science, technology, engineering, art, artifacts, math and making. Get inspired, collaborate, create, and connect! Learn what it takes to be an innovator, inventor, and trailblazer and discover how women and girls are impacting our world in this fun summer camp experience!

June 1 – 5
Full-Day Camp  |  9am – 4pm
Students going into 4th – 6th Grade

Full Day Summer Camps are $275 per week, members receive 20% off. 

SIGN UP
Contact Molly Franklin at mfranklin@putnam.org or (563) 336-7290 with any questions.


You can find other summer camp programs at the Putnam here.

Putnam Palooza Event Vendor Signup

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Be A Part of the Fun!

Join us for the second annual Putnam Palooza, a spring festival which aims to bring together our many partner organizations in outreach, with an overall fresh air for celebrating nature, pollinators, and cultural renewal! Crafts & activities along with your organization’s general outreach program is encouraged.

Set-up begins at 8:30 am on May 9th, 2026. Event begins at 10am, and organizations are asked to stay until 4pm.

Performers will be given a call-time and separate schedule.

Please let us know the number of tables and chairs you would like, access to a power outlet, or other specific accommodations within the text box.

2026 Putnam Palooza Partner Signup
Start Over

Family Discovery Center

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A New Space for Our Youngest Explorers!

The Family Discovery Center is thoughtfully designed to strengthen family connections through hands‑on, age‑appropriate experiences that invite children and caregivers to learn and play together. Set within a bright, cheerful space filled with soft colors and nature‑inspired murals, the Center immediately feels safe, inviting, and engaging for young learners. Comfortable seating and open sightlines encourage adults to participate alongside children, fostering meaningful shared moments of exploration.

Interactive play areas feature soft‑play climbing shapes, balance elements, and open‑ended materials that support gross motor development, creativity, and imaginative play. Cozy reading corners and child‑sized tables create natural opportunities for storytelling, early literacy, and collaborative activities. Throughout the space, thoughtfully arranged learning stations promote curiosity, problem‑solving, and social interaction in ways that feel fun and intuitive rather than structured.

Whether families are building, reading, pretending, or simply spending time together, the Family Discovery Center offers a nurturing environment where children can explore at their own pace while caregivers feel welcome and supported. It’s a place where learning happens naturally, through play, connection, and discovery, helping families grow stronger together.

Theater Overlook

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Where Birthday Fun Meets Museum Magic

Located in the heart of the museum’s grand lobby, the Theater Overlook Room is our most popular space for birthday parties and celebrations. This bright, open room overlooks the museum’s theater lobby below, creating an energetic atmosphere that keeps guests connected to the excitement of the museum.

With modern industrial design, polished floors, and abundant overhead lighting, the space feels both welcoming and contemporary. Round tables and seating are arranged to comfortably accommodate groups, making it ideal for cake, gifts, and hands‑on fun. The open railing and elevated view add a unique sense of place, while the central location allows for easy access to exhibits, restrooms, and other museum amenities.

Perfect for birthday parties and casual gatherings, the Theater Overlook Room offers a vibrant setting where guests can celebrate, explore, and make lasting memories—right in the center of the action.

Capacity: 32

Start your Reservation!

Immerse Meeting Room

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A Bright, Modern Space for Productive Meetings

The Immerse Meeting Room offers a bright, modern setting designed for collaboration, presentations, and professional gatherings. Suited for a variety of table arrangements with seating for groups of varying sizes, this space is ideal for meetings, workshops, trainings, and breakout sessions.


Abundant natural light pours in through large windows, creating an inviting and energized atmosphere. The room is equipped with a large flat‑screen display or projector & screen for presentations, making it easy to share ideas and engage your audience. Clean architectural lines, neutral finishes, and comfortable seating provide a polished yet approachable environment that keeps participants focused and inspired.

Perfect for:

  • Business meetings
  • Board or committee sessions
  • Professional development workshops
  • Small conferences or team trainings

Capacity: 40

Start Your Reservation!

Activity Room

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A Creative Room for Curious Minds of All Ages

Our Activity Room is a bright, flexible space ideal for meetings, workshops, classes, birthday parties, and hands‑on programs. Designed to encourage collaboration and creativity, the room features movable, hexagon‑shaped tables and colorful seating that can be arranged to fit a wide variety of event needs.

Large windows provide abundant natural light and are accented by vibrant wall artwork, creating an inviting and energetic atmosphere. The space also includes presentation capabilities and a whiteboard, making it well‑suited for educational sessions, team‑building events, and group activities.

Whether you’re planning a professional gathering or a creative celebration, the Activity Room offers a modern, adaptable setting within the inspiring environment of the museum’s Science Center.

Capacity 70

Start Your Reservation!

Putnam Explorers

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Explorers Learn Outside the Classroom!

Putnam Explorers are Saturday learning programs in the museum. These programs are designed to be interactive and hands-on, giving children the opportunity to explore and learn in a fun and engaging way.

Putnam Explorers (4th - 6th grades)

Putnam Explorers is for children in 4th through 6th grade. The program is the FIRST Saturday of the month from 10am – 12pm. (See full program listing below. No December workshop)

Each workshop is $20, or $15 for members.
Pre-registration is required.

Sign up for the full year and get one workshop FREE!

Explorers Full Year Deal

Junior Explorers (1st - 3rd Grades)

Junior Explorers is for children in 1st through 3rd grade. The program is the Second Saturday of the month from 10am – 12pm. (See full program listing below. No December workshop)

Each workshop is $20, or $15 for members.
Pre-registration is required.

Sign up for the full year and get one workshop FREE!

Jr. Explorers Full Year Deal

Kinder Explorers (Pre-K - Kindegarten)

Kinder Explorers is a NEW program for children in Pre-K through Kindergarten and is the THIRD Saturday of the month from 10am – 11am. (See full program listing below. No December workshop)

Each workshop is $12, or $10 for members.
Pre-registration is required.

Sign up for the full year and get one workshop FREE!

Kinder Explorers Full Year Deal

Upcoming Workshops

Love Putnam Education Programs? Learn more about education for all ages [here].

Stay up to date on the latest news and announcements by following us on social media!

Little Learners: Preschool Education

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Education and Experiences made for Little Learners!

The Putnam is proud to offer a growing suite of preschool education opportunities designed to spark curiosity, imagination, and early STEM learning in our youngest explorers. Through both in-museum programs and outreach experiences, our preschool initiatives emphasize hands‑on discovery, purposeful use of technology, and student-centered learning.

Families and educators can choose from a variety of camps, workshops, and early-learning programs tailored specifically for preschool-aged children. These experiences combine play-based exploration with developmentally appropriate science, creativity, and problem-solving.

At the heart of our early childhood offerings is the new Family Discovery Center—a warm, sensory-friendly, screen-free environment designed especially for young learners and the adults who support them. This dedicated space invites children to investigate, build, imagine, and discover at their own pace through thoughtfully crafted, open-ended interactives.

Preschool Programs

Our Education Department approaches curricula through an engaging lens. We cater to all learning styles and adhere to national and state standard for Iowa. We strive to assist and support our community teachers, parents, and school administration with the task of helping students meet and exceed key curriculum benchmarks.

Partner with the Putnam Museum to access tools to enhance the learning of your students. As an area leader in non-formal education, the Putnam in-museum and outreach programs encourage hands-on experiences, utilization of technology, student-centered learning, and an overall dynamic experience!

Preschool Program Guide

Upcoming Programs

Ms. Keosha Headshot Photo

Ms. Keosha

Hi, I’m Keosha – the new preschool educator at the Putnam Museum! I studied Art Education at Western Illinois University before earning my BFA in Studio Art.

Before coming to the Putnam, I’d spent seven years working in childcare and several summers at camp, where I fell in love with community-based learning. Now, I’m excited to bring that same energy to the Putnam!

When I’m not at the museum, you can usually find me screen printing, exploring nature, or enjoying an iced coffee and a good book.

Family Discovery Center

The Family Discovery Center focuses on strengthening family connection through hands-on, age-appropriate interactives. With its warm, welcoming atmosphere, the Center offers a rich environment for young learners to explore, engage, and discover alongside the adults who support them.

Preschool activities made possible in part with support from:

Prek Logos

Love Putnam Education Programs? Learn more about education for all ages [here].

Stay up to date on the latest news and announcements by following us on social media!