School Programs

For over a decade the Museum has pioneered challenging, relevant, and interactive programming for all ages and levels of ability. Our programs utilize and augment state and federal science standards. The program consists of docent-led discussions and activities and one optional self-led activity. During the tour students discuss a wide range of locally relevant natural history topics with their guide. Tours can be customized by request.

Please click on the "Contact Us" link on the right side of the page to preschedule your tour. Come explore with us!

Museum Tours are guided tours of the MNHM's exhibits that are entwined with State educational standards. Students tour through the museum with a guide and participate in discussions and hands-on activities about the ancient life and landscapes of Colorado’s Front Range including recent dinosaur discoveries made by Museum staff that were recently featured in Smithsonian magazine.

Museum Tour:

• Fees:
• $3.00 per participant - $40 minimum for small groups.
• Duration:
• Pre K to K: 60 minutes
• Grades 1-4: 90 minutes
• Grade 7+: 120 minutes
• Adult tour: variable duration
• Important Information:
• A chaperon/student ratio of 1:10 is suitable, but a ratio more that 1:5 is excessive.
• This tour must be scheduled two weeks prior to desired date.
• Maximum group size: 80 participants.

Program Modules and Discussion Points:

• "Orientation: Did Dinosaurs Lived in Colorado?" discussion:
• What is a fossil?
• What branch of science studies ancient life?
• Did dinosaurs live in Colorado?
• Has the climate and geography changed in Morrison through time?
• "Jurassic Morrison" module:
• What was Morrison climate and geography like during the Late Jurassic? Geology & Geography
• What kinds of plants and animals lived in Morrison during the Late Jurassic? Biology
• What historical significance does Morrison have for paleontology? History
• How was Jurassic Morrison similar and different to Morrison today? Geology, Geography, Biology
• What kind of rock are the Stegosaurus tracks preserved in? Geology
• What does the rock that the Stegosaurus tracks are preserved on tell us about how the sand was deposited? Geology
• Activity: Children assist with the preparation of dinosaur bone
• "Cretaceous Colorado" module:
• How did the climate and geography change in Morrison during the Late Cretaceous? Geology & Geography
• What kinds of plants and animals lived here during the Late Cretaceous? Biology
• Compare and contrast the geography of Morrison during Cretaceous and Jurassic. How are they similar and different? Geography & Geology
• Activity: encounter the giant fossil skulls.
• "Pleistocene Mammals and More" module:
• What was Morrison climate and geography like during the Pleistocene? Geology & Geography
• What kinds of plants and animals lived here during the Pleistocene? Biology
• How does this habitat compare to other periods of Morrison history? Geology & Geography
• Activity: meet an Ice Age Survivor - pet a live snake.
• Optional: Fossil Footprint Lab
• Students receive a small plaster cast of a fossil track that they take back to the classroom to paint and identify.
• $1.00 per track with coloring sheet. (Track not included with general tour admission).
• Optional, self-guided activity for younger students:
• "Fossil Pit" fossil dig activity for young children.

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