Exploring the rich variety of plants and animals and how they are interconnected opens up opportunities to understand our own role in the natural world. Our virtual education resources are designed to lead teachers and students to a more thorough understanding of the critical role ecosystems and biodiversity in both our backyards and beyond.
“O, sunlight! The most precious gold to be found on Earth.”
- Roman Payne, American born Novelist
The two major donors who made this collection possible are Dr. Gilbert Schneider and Dr. Robert Ritzenthaler.
Although it was officially chartered in 1882, its existence can be traced back to 1851, to the founding of the German-English Academy in Milwaukee. The Academy's principal, Peter Engelmann, encouraged student field trips, many of which collected various specimens—organic, geological, and archaeological in nature—which were kept at the Academy.
The world of the Great Lakes Indians was filled with a host of spirits (manido; plural manidog), which inhabited trees, plants, birds, and animals. Cosmic phenomena were also considered spirits, including the sun, the moon, thunder, lightning, the four winds, and the thunderbirds.
On October 16 and 24, 2025, MPM Educators will let you be a paleontologist for the day as we highlight available school programming with hands-on learning, plenty of fossils, and even more fun. Programming is open to all visitors, not just school groups.
“At night in this waterless air, the stars come down just out of reach of your fingers.”
- John Steinbeck, American Writer
Join us for a unique experience in Gromme Hall. These interactive, inquiry-based programs use guided presentations facilitated by museum experts to enable students’ use of critical thinking. Educators share little-known facts and “secrets” of artifacts within MPM’s collections, connecting them to the people, places and issues of today. Following the program we provide materials that support an open inquiry activity for select areas on the exhibit floors.