Group programs at Carnegie Museum of Natural History are interactive and designed to encourage visitors to explore and make their own discoveries about natural history. Program staff work with you to tailor your tour to meet your group's needs and to help you use the museum as a laboratory for critical thinking.

Pre-visit Downloads

Educator Guides with pre-and post-visit activities are available for some tours at www.carnegiemnh.org/programs/downloads.html.

School and Group Programs 2011–2012

Click here to download a PDF listing all of our school and group programs for the upcoming school year. These programs are also listed on the individual program pages on our website.

Tour Seasons

Prime field trip season
April 10–June 12, 2012

The museum offers pre-programmed, 1-hour tours that include stops in our most popular exhibitions and halls. While these tours are available year-round, they are the only six offered during prime season and they do not include touchable objects or hands-on activities during prime season.

• Animal Adaptations: Polar World, North American Wildlife, African Wildlife, Birds
• Evolution of Life: Dinosaurs in Their Time, Benedum Hall of Geology, Cenozoic Mammals
• Experience M is for Museum: This special exhibition focuses on how Carnegie Museum of Natural History explores, explains, and protects the natural world. Your group explores scientific methods, considers evidence, engages in activities, and interacts with museum educators.
• Geology: Building Stones, Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems, Wertz Gallery: Gems and Jewelry
• Pennsylvania Natural History
• Three Cultures: Polar World, Alcoa Foundation Hall of American Indians, Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt

Off-season tours offer even richer experiences!
June 8–December 31, 2011
January 3–April 9, 2012

Visit during the off-season and take your time in the galleries. Tour a single exhibition hall in-depth, or tour multiple galleries. The six prime-season tours listed above are also available during the off-season, with the bonus that all off-season tours include touchable objects and hands-on activities that enhance the educational experience. All exhibition galleries are available for guided tours, whether in-depth explorations of a single hall or a combination of halls linked by a common topic. Visit the Now on View pages for descriptions of our halls and exhibitions, and call us to create a tour that fits your curriculum.

Fee
Payment is due one week prior to your tour date. Unless otherwise noted, Member discounts do not apply.

Scheduling

Guided tours and classes for groups are available during regular museum hours. Immersive Experiences in Bonehunters Quarry and Discovery Room are available weekdays, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Registration
Contact the Group Visits office at 412.622.3289 or GroupVisits@carnegiemuseums.org for more information. You may also send tour requests via our website at www.cmoa.org/grouptours.

Required Chaperones
Pre-K/Kindergarten: One adult per five children
Grades 1 and up: One adult per 10 children
Required chaperones are admitted free; additional adults pay $10.

Accessibility
When you book your tour please let us know if there is anything we can do to better meet the needs of your group.

Recommended Ages
– Tours for Pre-K and K groups are one-hour tours modified to last 45 minutes; the minimum age is 4 years.
– One-hour tours are recommended for grades 1–12.  
– Tours lasting more than one hour are designed for grades 6–12 or for combining several exhibition galleries.

Spanish Language Tours

Grades 3-12
Don’t miss this opportunity for your students to explore the museum while using their Spanish conversation and listening skills. These four hands-on, inquiry-based tours are presented in Spanish, adapted to the language proficiency of your students. Educator guides prepare students for their museum experience. Fees, chaperone policies, and scheduling procedures for guided tours apply. Dates subject to availability. Maximum for each tour time is 15 students.

Dinosaurios
Para los estudiantes de Español: Visitas al Museo de Historia Natural para disfrutar de la nueva exhibición de dinosaurios.

El Artico
Descripcion del medio ambiente y su impacto enla cultura esquimal.

Egipto
Historia, religion y cultura en el Egipto de los faraones.

Los Indios de Norteamerica
Vida y costumbres.

Group Discounts

To receive a group discount, your visit must be scheduled in advance through the Group Visits office.

School field trip funding support, including transportation, is sponsored for some outreach programs by Target. To find out whether your school qualifies, call 412.622.3291 or email schuckerse@carnegiemuseums.org.