Group Tour Topics

Our tours are perfect for class field trips, scouts and other groups who want an in-depth, interactive experience. Trained, certified Earlham College students lead engaging, interactive tours that meet state education standards.

Our programs are always free of charge for schools, homeschoolers, scouts and nonprofit organizations.

We mix and match programs to create a customized experience that meets your classroom needs. Given our student tour guides’ academic commitments, we occasionally have to make last-minute adjustments, but we will always do our best to accommodate your tour needs. 

Travel back in time to the sands of ancient of Egypt and the characters who shaped its history. Investigate the mysterious mummy, Ta’an. Who was she? How were mummies made? How can modern science help us solve her mysteries? You will learn how paper was invented in Egypt with the papyrus plant, try your luck at a game Ta’an may have played and experience a planetarium show based on Egyptian mythology (~50-80 minutes). Best for Grade 6.

(Ohio State Social Studies Standards) Ancient Civilizations
Indiana World History Standards: 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3
Indiana Geography Standards: GHW: 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.4.1, 6.4.3, 6.4.5, 6.5.1

Travel through time down a 100-foot timeline back 10,000 years to discover who was here and what was happening in Wayne County. You’ll meet giant ice-age mammals, the ancient Adena people, Joseph Moore, Ralph Teetor, present-day local wildlife and a “Skies over Richmond” Planetarium Show. (~90 minutes) Best for Grade 3.

Science Standards:

Indiana Science Standards: 3.4.1, 3.4.5, 3.6.3

Indiana Social Studies Standards: 3.1.2, 3.1.4, 3.1.5, 3.1.7

Become an archeologist and learn about the ancient Adena who lived here more than 2,000 years ago. What did they look like? What did they do? What steps do archeologists take to figure out the answers to these questions? How do anthropologists understand their culture? Imagine how the Adena fed their families by learning to throw a spear and grind corn just like they did. Best for Grade 4.

Indiana Social Studies Standards: 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.5

Meet some really big characters in our paleontology collection. Our ever-popular allosaurus is always a hit with dinosaur lovers, but our huge ice-age mammal skeletons are equally awe-inspiring. Think like a paleontologist to envision how and what these animals ate, how they hunted, what they looked like and speculate why they died. Best for Grades 1 & 5.

Science Standards:

Indiana Science Standards: 1.3.1, 1.3.3, 1.3.4, 1.3.5; 5.3.1, 5.4.1

Discover the amazing things in the sky above us. Observe the phases of the moon, find constellations, visit the planets and their moons and even learn about the technology that helps us study space and how some of that technology makes life better in our very own homes. Our digital projector allows us to get up close and personal with the planets and their moons. Older students can view a full-dome movie about the history of astronomy. (~45-90 minutes) Best for Grades 1, 3, 5 & 6 (all ages).

Science Standards:
1.1.1, 1.1.3, 1.2.6, 1.6.1
3.1.7, 3.2.4, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.6.3
5.1.4, 5.3.1, 5.3.2, 5.3.3
6.1.6, 6.1.7, 6.2.2, 6.3.1, 6.3.2, 6.3.3

Have a close encounter of the scaly kind! Meet our live reptiles and learn what turtles, lizards and snakes have in common and what makes them unique. Debunk some common snake myths and touch the spiky skin of one of our bearded dragons! Our snake program takes visitors under the skin of the snake by learning about shedding and vertebrae! Best for Grades 1 & 2.

Science Standards:

1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.2.6, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4, 1.5.3

2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.2.5, 2.4.1, 2.4.2, 2.4.3, 2.4.4, 2.4.5

Unearth the types of organisms that lived in Richmond millions of years ago during the Ordovician Period. Learn about how they differed from each other and the things that live in Richmond now, and discover what historical changes made these fossils possible. Best for Grades 1, 2, 3 & 5.

Science Standards:

1.1.1, 1.2.1, 1.2.6, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4, 1.6.1
2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.1.5, 2.4.1, 2.4.4, 2.5.6, 2.6.2
3.1.2, 3.2.4, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.3, 3.6.3
5.1.3, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.8

Scavenger hunts in the museum can be customized to the interests, abilities and time constraints of your group. Directed exploration encourages students to interact with collections throughout the museum or through a single topical area. Contact us to discuss what might work best for your class. Best for grades 4, 5 & 6.

Think you know the order of the planets in our solar system? Know how far apart from each other they are? Test your knowledge in this interactive and cooperative model solar system activity.

What is an insect? Is everything we think of as bugs an insect? Learn what makes an insect, quiz yourself with our interactive exhibit and meet one of the JMM’s Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

Thanks to the National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE), the JMM has many Earth and space activities that can be customized to your class. Pick from activities including create-your-own nebula, astroid mining, universe expansion, filtered light and much more. Most activities take 15 minutes or less and pair well with a planetarium show or the solar system activity. When you call to schedule your tour, we will help you choose which activities are best for your group.

What is hibernation and why do some animals do it? How can animals go so long without eating and how can they stay warm? What are some other ways animals stay warm in the winter? Learn all about that and more with the highly interactive hibernation program ideal for Pre-K and Kindergarten.

What kinds of animals lay eggs, and are they all the same? How do eggs change between species to be best suited for their habitat? Do you want to try rolling different-shaped eggs to discover what happens? Join the JMM for our egg program created for ages Pre-K through first grade.