Early Childhood Programs
Choose from age-appropriate science programs led by our renowned education staff here at the Museum or at your
school covering topics including human health, astronomy, dinosaurs, plants and wildlife.
Enjoy hands-on engaging, imaginative activities in the Smead Discovery Center before or after your program. No
registration required. NOTE: please see the arrival procedures section.
Scheduling a Museum Visit
Complete our online reservation request form https://www.cmnh.org/schoolrequest and a Museum Scheduler
will contact you.
Or call 216-231-8002 Monday through Friday, 9am to 4:30pm.
Cost for Programs
•
•
•
Self-guided visits: $5/student
Pre-School Programs: $7/student (20 student maximum)
o $70 minimum fee for fewer than 10 students
Pre-School Programs at your School: $140 (20 students maximum)
Special Program Promotions
•
20% off any program during the month of September
Chaperones
•
•
•
•
We require one adult for every 10 students
Teachers and chaperones are admitted without charge up to one adult for every 5 students
Additional adults will be charged at the same rate as a student
Museum memberships and other discounts are not valid for instructed or self-guided visits
Arrival Procedures
•
•
•
•
Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for check-in.
For morning programs, please do not plan to arrive early to tour the Museum (see self-guided times below)
Self-guided tour times:
o Mondays, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
o Tuesdays through Fridays, 11:30 am – 5:00 pm
If you arrive late, the length and content of the program may be altered as needed to fit with the day’s schedule
Earth
and Space Science Programs
See also: Planetarium Programs
Planetarium Show: One World, One Sky
When the lights go down, the “stars” will shine inside the Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium. The concepts of day
and night will become clearer as students observe sunrise and sunset within the planetarium. Students will be delighted
to see Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Elmo enjoy an imaginary and interactive trip to the Moon. Outside the
Museum, students will discover how the Planetarium was designed as an astronomical instrument to locate Polaris, the
North Star.
PreK: Earth and Space Science: Observations in Nature
PreK: Earth and Space Science: Explorations of the Natural World
Life Science Programs
Backyard Birds
Find out about the feathered friends living in our Ohio backyards. Touch their feathers and hear their songs. Students
will become introduced to the life cycle of birds and discover how birds are related to dinosaurs!
PreK: Life Science: Exploration of Living Things
PreK: Science Inquiry and Application
Butterflies and Moths
(April and May only)
Examine both living and mounted insects while learning about their unique life cycles. Discover how butterflies and
moths are similar and different. Learn their parts and how they function.
PreK: Life Science: Exploration of Living Things
PreK: Science Inquiry and Application
Deep Sea Life
Explore the many wonderful and mysterious creatures living in the oceans. Learn how they survive in this watery
environment. Find out about the life cycles of some special animals.
PreK: Life Science: Exploration of Living Things
PreK: Science Inquiry and Application
Live Ohio Animals
Students will meet some live Ohio animals from our Museum collection. Discover the major characteristics of each type
of animal. Explore the differences among birds, mammals and reptiles.
PreK: Life Science: Observations of Living Things
PreK: Science Inquiry and Application
Grade K: Life Science: Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
Meet Our Dinosaurs
See Dinosaur skeletons in our Museum up close and personal. Touch real dinosaur specimens! Discover how and when
they lived and why these magnificent creatures became extinct. Learn about the dinosaur’s modern day relatives, birds.
PreK: Life Science: Observations of Living Things
PreK: Science Inquiry and Application
Is It Alive? A Look at Plants and Animals
Using a wide variety of hands-on and up-close encounters, students will discover the differences among living, onceliving, and non-living objects. Discussion and activities will center on the characteristics and needs of living things as
your students learn to correctly categorize a variety of items.
PreK: Science Inquiry and Application
PreK: Life Science: Exploration of Living Things
Grade K: Life Science: Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
Wild Ohio Animals
Learn the difference between tame and wild animals. Discover animals that might live in your neighborhood. Explore the
habits and habitats of some of Ohio’s wild animals. Touch and see fur, teeth and bones and learn how they are used for
survival. Note: This program does not use live animals.
PreK: Life Science: Observations of Living Things
Grade K: Life Science: Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
What’s Inside Stuffee? — Grades PreK-2
In this larger-than-life anatomical experience, we turn our big-hearted friend Stuffee inside out to look at his chest and
abdominal organs. Learn about the cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems. Put him back together to see how
his systems are connected and find out what you can do to keep your own organs in top shape!
Grades PreK-2: Health – Standard 1, 7
Grade K: Life Science - Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
Programs at Your School
All outreach programs can also be taught at the Museum
Backyard Explorers — Grades PreK -1
Build the skills you need to scope out wildlife in your own backyard. Spot birds through binoculars, magnify bugs
beneath your feet, follow mysterious footprints and search carefully to find hidden creatures. By learning what animals
need to survive, we can figure out why they call our backyards home and look for habitats nearby.
Note: No living things will be brought into your classroom. Birds, bugs and “creatures” are either toys or mounted
specimen.
Grade PreK: Science Inquiry and Application – Inquiry
Life Science – Explorations of Living Things
Grade K: Life Science - Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
Grade 1: Life Science - Basic Needs of Living Things
Chew on This: Learn the Drill on Dental Science — Grades PreK-1
Compare the teeth of various animals to humans and discover how your smile can tell a scientist a lot about who – and
what – you are! Investigate the basics of dental health with real museum specimens and see tools that help dentists
keep our canines clean. Brace yourself: the truth behind cavities might be more shocking than you think.
Grade K: Life Science - Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
Grade 1: Life Science - Basic Needs of Living Things
Grades PreK-1: Health - Standard 1
Grades PreK-1: Health - Standard 3
Grades PreK-1: Health - Standard 6
Grades PreK-1: Health - Standard 7
Digging for Dinos — Grades PreK-1
Does the word “dinosaur” send your students into prehistoric pandemonium? Bring the wonders of Paleontology into
your classroom with this investigation of basic natural science concepts related to the job of a Paleontologist. Students
will practice paleontological skills with real and cast fossils, animal bones, dig boxes, rubbings, and other ageappropriate hands-on activities.
Grade PreK: Life Science - Observations of Living Things
Grade K: Life Science - Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
Grade 1: Life Science - Basic Needs of Living Things
Investigating Your 5 Senses — Grades PreK-1
Explore the five senses all humans share and how they work. Enjoy using hands-on props and activities to experiment
with your senses. Touch, smell, look and listen to discover the wonders of the world around you.
PreK: Cognition and General Knowledge - Science Inquiry and Application
Grades PreK-1: Health – Standard 1
Grades PreK-1: Health – Standard 4
Grade K: Life Science - Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
Grade K: Science - Inquiry and Application
Grade 1: Life Science - Basic Needs of Living Things
Munch, Move and Multiply: What it Means to be Alive— Grades PreK-1
Investigate what it means to be alive through careful observation and imaginary play. Feel a wiggly beetle larva crawl
across your hand, discover how a seed gets its energy to grow, and practice using a magnifying glass to classify museum
objects. We’ll be acting like scientists and the animals they study as we crawl, swim, fly and slither our way to a deeper
understanding of what it means to be alive.
Grade PreK: Science Inquiry and Application – Inquiry
Grade PreK: Life Science – Explorations of Living Things
Grade K: Life Science - Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
Grade 1: Life Science - Basic Needs of Living Things
Secrets for a Healthy Life — Grades PreK-1
Jump into nutrition, hygiene and exercise to uncover the important roles they play in a healthy lifestyle. Students will
use visual clues to figure out each “secret” for a healthy life. Corresponding activities are designed to give students
practice making healthy choices, washing away germs and plaque, moving their feet and relaxing.
Grades PreK-1: Health - Standard 1
Grades PreK-1: Health - Standard 4
Grades PreK-1: Health - Standard 6
Grades PreK-1: Health - Standard 7
What’s Inside Stuffee? — Grades PreK-2
In this larger-than-life anatomical experience, we turn our big-hearted friend Stuffee inside out to look at his chest and
abdominal organs. Learn about the cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems. Put him back together to see how
his systems are connected and find out what you can do to keep your own organs in top shape!
NOTE: ‘Stuffee’ is very large and requires a room with a ground level entrance and/or elevator access. This program is
not available through Distance Learning.
Grades PreK-2: Health – Standard 1, 7
Grade K: Life Science - Physical and Behavioral Traits of Living Things
Early Childhood Education Programs Sponsored by: