Kindergarten–Grade 5

Curiosity Class programs encourage students to explore a wide variety of natural science topics. Students may touch and examine live animals and plants as well as real specimens from the Museum’s collections.

CHAPERONE GUIDES TO THE MUSEUM
Simple, curriculum-correlated guides help chaperones relate Museum exhibits to Curiosity Class program topics.

Science Curriculum Correlations

Registration Information

Be a Curiosity Class Volunteer

What is an Animal?
Kindergarten–Grade 1
All Seasons
Observe and touch different live animals and explore the similarities and differences between them. Learn what the animals need to survive.

Mammals
Kindergarten–Grade 5
All Seasons
Meet a variety of mammals and discover where they live and how they care for their young. Highlights include an opportunity to touch several live mammals from the Museum’s collection. This hands-on program is adapted to each grade level. Please note: Program subject to availability of live mammals.

Reptiles
Kindergarten–Grade 5
All Seasons
Compare turtles, alligators, lizards and snakes to learn about reptiles and how they live. Touch several live animals. This hands-on program is adapted to each grade level.

Animal Life Cycles
Grade 2
All Seasons
Explore the life cycles of five major groups of animals: amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds and insects. Meet live animals from each group and learn about their stages of development and adaptations for survival.

Plant Adaptations
Grade 3
All Seasons
Examine the lives of green plants through hands-on activities and role-playing. Investigate plant structures as adaptations for survival. Learn how plants compete with each other and defend themselves from predators.

Animal Detectives
Grades 4–5
All Seasons
Working in teams, students use observation skills and field guides to identify two live animals and to investigate the adaptations these animals possess for survival. Students learn about common North Carolina animals and share their findings with classmates.

Investigating Ecosystems
Grade 5
All Seasons
Working in teams, students investigate the interdependence of plants and animals in ecosystems. Human impacts on ecosystems are discussed.

Fridays at Prairie Ridge Ecostation
Grades 4–5
September–October 2008
April–May 2009
Class size: 15 minimum–60 maximum
Class time: 10:00 a.m.–noon
Fee: $45 (15–30 students); $90 (31–60 students)
Chaperone requirement: 1 adult per 5 studetns (minimum)
Optional Lunch: noon–12:30 p.m. Bring bag lunches and eat at the site.
Location: Prairie Ridge Ecostation, Raleigh, NC
Learn about plant and animal adaptations during an exploration of the ecosystems of Prairie Ridge, the Museum's 38-acre field station located in west Raleigh. Investigate the connections between plants and animals during a hike, perform pond sampling activities.

Science Curriculum Correlations
	K	Grade 1	Grade 2	Grade 3	Grade 4	Grade 5
What is an Animal?
Mammals
Reptiles
Animal Life Cycles
Plant Adaptations
Animal Detectives
Investigating Ecosystems
Prairie Ridge

Registration Information — Curiosity Classes
	Grades K–5
	September 22, 2008–June 5, 2009
	Tuesday–Friday 9:45, 10:45, 11:45 am (Two classes offered per time period)
	$35 per program except where noted
	Recommended 8–25 Maximum 30
To register Submit a scheduling worksheet online or call the Scheduling Coordinator at 919.733.7450, ext. 555 (or toll-free in North Carolina 877.4NATSCI, ext. 555). Register at least four weeks in advance. Scheduling starts Tuesday, August 19, 2008. Note: Calendar fills up quickly, so schedule early! Invoice Sent within five days of contact with Scheduling Coordinator. Program materials Sent approximately four to six weeks prior to visit. Cancellation Minimum two-week notice required for refund. Cancellation (due to weather) Rescheduled at teacher request and as calendar permits. Special Populations: Many programs can be tailored to meet the needs of special populations. Please indicate special needs of your group when scheduling a program. Financial assistance is available to some groups. Contact Liz Baird, director of school programs, for more information and to request assistance.

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