Class Topics | Careers in Science Workshops

NSA classes at Carnegie Museum of Natural History are designed for students from preschool to high school. They incorporate current scientific knowledge and the museum’s collections to engage students with variety of activities that promote an understanding of the Earth, environmental change, evolution, and the impact of these forces on the Earth’s inhabitants over centuries.

Classes combine time exploring a variety of unique hands-on experiences inside our classrooms with guided time in our exhibit halls. Depending upon the age level of your students, classes may also include projects or take-home activities.

Class Topics

CULTURE & ANTHROPOLOGY

Archaeology Detectives
Explore the excavation techniques of archaeologists and analyze the cultural remains of a Monongahela American Indian dig site while learning more about Pennsylvania history.
Science & Technology: 3.2.4, 3.2.7, 3.5.4
Geography: 7.3.6
History: 8.2.6

Exploring Ancient Egypt
Explore the resources and geography of this highly developed civilization as you discover more about the artifacts, mummies, treasures of ancient Egyptian society.
Science & Technology 3.5.4
Environment & Ecology 4.8.4
Geography 7.1.3, 7.2.3, 7.3.3
History 8.4.3

Inuit Know-How
Learn about the Inuit people and the animals they depend on for survival in the harsh Arctic climate. Visit a replica igloo, see and touch several remarkable Arctic animals, and examine a variety of Inuit tools and toys.
Science & Technology 3.5.4
Environment & Ecology 4.2.4, 4.8.4
Geography 7.3.3, 7.4.3
History 8.3.3

Raising a Tipi
Explore the culture of the Plains American Indians. Learn about family life, how to raise a tipi, and the importance of the buffalo to their way of life.
Science & Technology 3.5.4
Environment & Ecology 4.2.4, 4.8.4
Geography 7.3.3
History 8.3.3

What’s in a House?
This survey of North American Indian cultures focuses on the Tlingit, Hopi, Iroquois, and Lakota. The lifestyle of traditional families is highlighted using a variety of touchable replica tools, toys, and homes.
Science & Technology 3.5.4
Environment & Ecology 4.2.4, 4.8.4
Geography 7.3.3
History 8.3.3

ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

Back Off!
Learn more about a variety of animal defenses and protection, camouflage, and deception in this exploration of everything from butterflies and porcupines to snakes and spiders.
Environment & Ecology 4.6.4, 4.7.4

Completely Batty
Learn more about bats as you investigate the important role these creatures play in our world.  Habitat protection, echo-location, and species diversity are explored in this class.
Environment & Ecology 4.3.4, 4.5.4, 4.6.4, 4.7.4

Exploring Ecosystems
Explore the biodiversity of various environments, how different creatures and plants fit into the food web, and the role of people in our natural world.
Science and Technology 3.1.4, 3.1.7, 3.2.4, 3.3.7
Environment & Ecology 4.6.4, 4.6.7

Going on Safari
Explore a wide variety of African animals as you learn more about their different environments and special survival adaptations.
Science and Technology 3.3.4
Environment and Ecology 4.6.4

Going, Going, Gone!
Learn more about the threatened, endangered, and extinct animals from different time periods and places on earth.  Examine a variety of confiscated wildlife trade items and discuss how we can help to protect animals today.
Science & Technology 3.2.4, 3.2.7, 3.3.4, 3.3.7
Environment & Ecology 4.7.4, 4.7.7, 4.9.4, 4.9.7

HOT! HOT! HOT!
Students explore the desert regions of the world and check out how creatures and plants are uniquely adapted to survive the scorching sands and heat.
Science & Technology 3.3.4
Environment & Ecology 4.6.4, 4.7.4
Geography 7.1.3, 7.1.2

Insect Mania!
Take a close-up look at insects to learn more about their physical development, unique characteristics, and behavior as you see the diversity of our world’s insects.
Science & Technology 3.3.4

GEOLOGY & PALEONTOLOGY

Dino Dectective (Available beginning Nov. 27, 2007)
Explore the world of the dinosaurs as you become a Dino Detective and use a variety of math and reasoning skills to discover more about life in the Mesozoic Era.
Mathematics 2.1D, 2.2 E, 2.3 B, 2.4 A 2.6 C, 2.7 E

Dinosaur Dig (Available beginning in Nov. 27, 2007)
Follow the process of dinosaur discovery and learn more about the Mesozoic era and the work of a paleontologist as you explore our dinosaur hall and take part in a hands-on fossil wrapping activity.
Science and Technology 3.1.4, 3.5.4
Environment and Ecology 4.7.4

Rock Hounds
Hands-on encounters with a variety of rocks and minerals will reveal how rocks are formed and their impact on our daily lives.  Participate in a hands-on exploration activity to learn more about the special properties of rocks and minerals.
Science & Technology 3.5.4
Environment & Ecology 4.2.4

Stalking the Wooly Mammoth
Chill out and explore the Ice Age with us as you learn more about the animals that lived after the dinosaurs.  Encounter the Sabertooth Cat, the Wooly Mammoth, and the Giant Sloth as you discover more about these prehistoric prowlers!
Science and Technology 3.3.4, 3.3.7, 3.5.4, 3.5.7
Environment and Ecology 4.7.4, 4.7.7, 4.8.4, 4.8.7

INTERDISCIPLINARY

Discovering Pennsylvania
Investigate the biodiversity of plants, animals, geology, and early people of the state in this creative class combination.
Science & Technology 3.1.4, 3.1.7, 3.3.4, 3.3.7, 3.5.4, 3.5.7
Environment & Ecology 4.6.4, 4.6.7
Geography 7.1.6, 7.2.6, 7.3.6
History 8.2.6

Careers in Science Workshops

Our two-hour Careers in Science classes take a hands-on approach to exploring the subject matter and career connections of a given field. These workshops include discussion and exploration time, participation in an investigation activity, guided time in the areas of our museum collection relating to the topic, and possibly a special scientific guest or behind-the-scenes look at our museum.

Topics include:

What If I Were a Herpetologist?
Science & Technology 3.2.4, 3.3.4, 3.2.7, 3.3.7
Environment & Ecology 4.6.4, 4.7.4, 4.6.7, 4.7.7

What If I Were an Archaeologist?
Science & Technology 3.1.4, 3.2.7
Geography 7.3.6

What If I Were a Botanist?
Science & Technology 3.1.4, 3.1.7, 3.2.4, 3.2.7
Environment & Ecology 4.6.4, 4.6.7, 4.4.7

What If I Were an Entomologist?
Science & Technology 3.3.4, 3.3.7
Environment & Ecology 4.6.4, 4.5.7, 4.6.7

What If I Were a Geologist?
Science & Technology 3.2.7, 3.5.4, 3.5.7
Environment & Ecology 4.2.7, 4.6.4, 4.6.7
Geography 7.2.3, 7.2.6

What If I Were an Ornithologist?
Science & Technology 3.3.4, 3.3.7, 3.2.7, 3.5.7
Environment & Ecology 4.6.4, 4.6.7

What If I Were a Paleontologist?
Science & Technology 3.2.4, 3.2.7, 3.3.4, 3.3.7, 3.5.4, 3.5.7
Environment & Ecology 4.7.4, 4.7.7