KU Student and Faculty Programs
The museum provides numerous opportunities for KU classes across all fields of study to engage with our exhibits and collections through self-guided or instructor-led visits.
What to know before you schedule a Guided Activity:
- Experiences should be scheduled at least two weeks in advance
- Guided activities are available Tuesday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm and are based on staff availability
- Guided activities can accommodate up to 20 people at a time
- Food and drink are prohibited in the museum
Guided Activities
The KU Natural History Museum offers several supported learning experiences for KU classes. These activities are led by museum education, outreach and exhibits professionals.Guided Activity Options
Come play the Natural History Mystery game at the museum. Explore exhibits in small teams while completing puzzles and solving the mystery! All along the way, you'll learn about important ideas in biology and evolution.
This game was developed with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Participants: up to 20 or 4 teams of 2-5 players
Duration: ~1 hour
Become a disease detective tasked with tracking the presence and spread of a mysterious disease through populations of mammal species living in different habitats across North America. Explore how museum collections can help solve real world problems! With this facilitated activity, students will learn how collections-based research can support conservation and track diseases.
Participants: up to 20
Duration: ~1 hour
This activity was developed with grant funding from the National Science Foundation.
Explore the intersection of science and art by making gyotaku prints and diving into an overview of fishes at the KU Natural History Museum. Gyotaku is a traditional method of Japanese fish printing and was originally used as a means to record and document the size of fishing catches. Participants will use preserved fish (scales and all!) to create their own unique print.
Participants: up to 20
Duration: ~1 hour
Delve into the exhibit development process with a facilitated tour of selected prototypes and museum displays, and participate in a communication activity to explore some interpretation strategies.
Participants: up to 20
Duration: ~1 hour
Discover your inner fox, fish, fungus, and more as we explore what humans have in common with other living things and how we are related using selected exhibits and activities.
Participants: up to 20
Duration: ~1 hour
Group Visits
For groups exploring the museum together, we ask that you contact the KU Natural History Museum's Visitor Services at 785-864-4450 or email nhmvs@ku.edu at least three weeks in advance to schedule your visit.