Education Programs Grades 1-3

Reservations can be made by calling (414) 278-2714. We cannot accept reservations via email.
Field Trip Call Center hours: 9am-5pm Monday - Friday, 9am-3pm Saturday and 10am - 3pm Sunday.

African Overview
Trek Africa’s three biomes in the Museum’s gigantic dioramas: searing deserts, vast savannas and lush rain forests. Learn about the continent’s many different cultures and animals by handling real skins, cultural artifacts and adornments.
WMAS: Social Studies A4.4; B.4.1; Language Arts C4.2, 3
Animals of Wisconsin
Examine animal defense and survival tactics by comparing how they use senses to the way humans use tools. Touch furs, beaks and feet of familiar animals and birds that live in Wisconsin’s backyards as we progress through the Wisconsin Woodlands galleries, and learn about their diets, habits and habitats.
WMAS: Science F.4.1; Language Arts C4.2, 3
Arctic Life
Learn about the harsh physical environment of the Arctic and how the Inuits survive in regions of sub-zero temperatures. Explore animal habitats and learn how they adapt to their surroundings. Visit an igloo and handle animal skins and cultural artifacts as you learn about Arctic creatures’ struggle for survival.
WMAS: Social Studies A.4.4; B.4.1,10; Language Arts C4.2, 3
Beginnings: Life in Milwaukee
One hundred years ago Milwaukee was a city of immigrants from around the world, all who brought unique languages, traditions, clothing and tools with them to the United States. Discover how these residents overcame their different backgrounds to create a new homeland together as we explore a classic representation of the actual homes and businesses that once lined our city streets.
WMAS: Social Studies A4.4, 7, 8; B4.1, 4.8; D4.3, 6,7; E4.4.12, Language Arts C4.2, 3
Butterfly Science
Using hands-on materials and role-play, learn about butterfly metamorphosis and life stages, body structure, survival and defenses. Then experience the flutter of live butterflies in the Puelicher Butterfly Vivarium.
WMAS: Science F.4.1,2; Language Arts C4.2, 3
Dinosaurs
Handle real dinosaur fossils and investigate the evidence behind dinosaur extinction. Examine the tools of a real paleontologist and learn how to distinguish fossils from bones, carnivores from herbivores, and test your dinosaur recognition skills with the Museum’s legendary Dinosaur Challenge.
WMAS: Science B.4.3; C.4.5; F4.1, 2, 3, Language Arts C4.2, 3
Indians of the Southwest and Northwest Coast
Travel through our exhibit galleries to discover how tribes from two very different biomes adapted to their environments to meet survival needs of food, shelter, clothing and transportation. Learn about life in a desert and a temperate rain forest as we discuss customs and examine artifacts.
WMAS: Social Studies A.4; B.4.1; E.4.3; Language Arts C4.2, 3
Indians of the Wisconsin Woodland and Plains
Using artifacts and clothing, discover how the American Indians of two different regions used the resources in their surroundings to meet their needs of food, shelter, clothing, transportation, work and celebration. Learn about the powwow, rice gathering, bison hunting, wigwam and tipi construction, and more.
WMAS: Social Studies A.4.4; B.4.1; Language Arts C4.2, 3
Mummies
Follow the process of Egyptian mummification by using a life-size model. Examine the context, origins and refinement of this ancient procedure, identifying the general concepts of the afterlife in ancient Egypt. Participate in the step-by-step process of mummification, including organ removal, use of canopic jars and the process for wrapping, adorning, and entombing the pharaohs and other royalty of ancient Egypt, and get up close and personal with Djed-Hor, one of the Museum’s authentic Egyptian mummies.
WMAS: Social Studies A.4.4; B.4.1, 3; E.4.5, 8,11, Language Arts C4.2, 3
Rain Forest
Walk through a simulated rain forest floor and canopy to learn about the incredible diversity of life in the world’s richest land habitat. Observe the great Kapok tree, toucans and macaws, tank bromeliads, howler monkeys, sloths and frogs. Compare our temperate forest to the tropical rain forest, discover environmental niches for plants and animals and role play plant-animal interdependence.
WMAS: Science F.4.1,2; Language Arts C4.2, 3
Stories of the Skies
Learn about our solar system through a hands-on activity examining planet order and size relation. Groups will venture through the Museum’s exhibits to hear cultural stories of constellations and the night sky. Add a Planetarium show to maximize this educational opportunity.
WMAS: Science E.4.3; Social Studies B4.1; B4.3, Language Arts C4.2, 3