Educational Programming Guide for Spring 2008
Updated
January 31, 2008
Curriculum-related programs introduce students to specific museum topics or exhibit areas. All programs include a guided tour of related museum exhibits plus hands-on, object-based learning activities. Educational programs are free with paid museum admission.
Advanced reservations and museum or combo admission are required for these programs.
Programs times: weekdays at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 1:00 or 2:00 unless otherwise noted. |
 While there is no additional charge for your class to attend a school program, a free-will donation to help cover the cost of supplies and continue the Hastings Museum’s efforts to provide excellent education opportunities for our youth is greatly appreciated.
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School Programs
Programs run approximately 45 minutes, but can be adapted to meet your needs. Please limit two programs per visit.
Nebraska History
 Corps of Discovery — Grades 4-6 & 7-8
Be a part of the Lewis and Clark expedition! Adventurers must overcome numerous obstacles to discover a route to the West Coast. You can travel by keelboat, navigate a trail to the shore of the Pacific and even collect unusual artifacts and animals native to the area just like Lewis and Clark did over 200 years ago.
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History Content Standards for 4-6
- 4.2: Contributions from the cultural and ethnic groups that made up our national heritage
- 4.5: Nebraska’s history, including geographic factors, from European contact to statehood
- 4.6: Identify significant individuals, historical events and symbols in their community and in Nebraska and explain their importance
- 4.10: Identify and use essential map elements
- 4.12: Identify the geographic and human characteristics of the regions of the United States and Nebraska
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History STAR Standards for 4-6
- 4.6: Significant individuals, historical events and symbols in their community and in Nebraska and explain their importance
- 4.11: Use maps and globes to acquire information about people, places, and environments
- 5.1.1: Demonstrate skills for historical analysis
- 5.4: Geography
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History Content Standards for 7-8
- 8.1.5: Growth and change in the United States from 1801-1861
- 8.4.2: Skills for historical analysis
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History STAR Standards for 7-8
- 8.4.2: Demonstrate skills for historical analysis
Plains Indian Family — Grades PreK-3
An introduction to Plains Indians of Nebraska via a guided tour of the People on the Plains exhibit highlighting clothing, adornment, food, shelter and gender roles of the Omaha, Pawnee and Otoe. Students furnish a tipi with household goods and participate in a Native American dance with traditional instruments. Each student makes a bead bracelet to take home.
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History Content Standards for PreK-3
- 1.1: Understanding that history relates to events and peoples of other times and places
- 1.2: Compare and contrast the past and present contributions of cultures to school and family
- 1.4: Recognize that climate, location, and physical surroundings affect the lives of people
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History STAR Standards for PreK-3
- 1.1: Understanding that history relates to events and people of other times and places
- 1.4: Recognize that climate, location, and physical surroundings affect the lives of people
The Pawnee — Grades 4-6
Through a guided tour of the People on the Plains exhibit and participation in activities, students will gain an appreciation for Native contributions to American culture. By questioning long held stereotypes of Native Peoples and participating in daily chores, students will learn about gender-specific roles, leisure activities and food preparation of Plains Indian cultures. Each student will make a bear claw necklace to take home.
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History Content Standards for 4-6
- 4.2: Contributions from the cultural and ethnic groups that made up our national heritage
- 4.4: Interaction between Native Americans and their environment on the plains prior to European contact
- 4.5: Nebraska’s history, including geographic factors, from European contact to statehood
- 4.6: Identify significant individuals, historical events and symbols in their community and in Nebraska and explain their importance
- 4.7: Use higher level thinking skills to evaluate and analyze primary sources and other sources
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History STAR Standards for 4-6
- 4.6: Significant individuals, historical events and symbols in their community and in Nebraska and explain their importance
Nebraska Territory — Grades 4-5
Nebraska history comes alive as we role-play historic immigrants from Norway, Eastern America and Canada. Students must overcome the same hardships as these early settlers to arrive safely on the windswept plains of Nebraska. Don’t forget your immigration papers!
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History Content Standards for 3-6
- 4.1: Compare communities and describe how United States and Nebraska communities changed physically and geographically over time
- 4.2: Contributions from the cultural and ethnic groups that made up our national heritage
- 4.5: Nebraska’s history, including geographic factors, from European contact to statehood
- 4.6: Identify significant individuals, historical events and symbols in their community and in Nebraska and explain their importance
- 4.10: Identify and use essential map elements
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History STAR Standards for 3-6
- 4.6: Significant individuals, historical events and symbols in their community and in Nebraska and explain their importance
- 4.11: Use maps and globes to acquire information about people, places, and environments
- 5.4: Geography
Overland Trails — Grades 6-8
Travel through the museum on the many Overland Trails. Haul freight to New Mexico on the Santa Fe Trail, or trek the Mormon Trail with Brigham Young in his search for Zion. Become an entrepreneur with the 49ers during the California Gold Rush. Experience the ill-fated Donner Party in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Get to know missionary Narcissa Whitman, the first white woman to travel the Oregon Trail. Which trail will successfully bring you to your destination?
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History Content Standards for 6-8
- 8.1.5: Growth and change in the United States from 1801-1861
- 8.4.2: Skills for historical analysis
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History STAR Standards for 6-8
- 8.4.2: Demonstrate skills for historical analysis
Kool-Aid Kitchen Laboratory — Grades K-3 & Grades 4-6
Crazy, KOOL, Kitchen Chemistry just for Kids! Discover Edwin Perkins, chemist and entrepreneur, who created this KOOL drink here in Hastings, Nebraska. See a part of Edwin’s childhood in the Perkins General Store. Make a mess of Mom’s kitchen as we blend, brew, mix and measure to concoct our own creations. There is also a guided tour of the Kool-Aid: Discover the Dream exhibit.
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History Content Standards for K-6
- 4.3: Social and economic development of Nebraska in the 20th century
- 4.6: Identify significant individuals, historical events and symbols in their community and in Nebraska and explain their importance
- Nebraska State Social Studies/History STAR Standards for K-6
- 4.6: Significant individuals, historical events and symbols in their community and in Nebraska and explain their importance
- Nebraska Science Content Standards for K-6
- 1.2: Science as Inquiry
- Nebraska Science STAR Standards for K-6
- 4.2.1: Science as inquiry
- Nebraska Mathematics Content Standards for K-6
- 1.2: Computation/Estimation
- Nebraska Mathematic STAR Standards for K-6
- 4.3.1: Estimate, measure, and solve word problems using metric units
Natural Science
Dino Dig — PreK-3
Participate in a paleontology dig for fossil remains of animals that lived millions of years ago. From dinosaurs to mammoths, this excavation has it all! Provides an introduction to prehistoric animals of Nebraska, environmental change through time, physical adaptation and scientific methodology. Includes a guided tour of the Fossil exhibit. Spring classes will also include a tour of the upcoming dinosaur exhibit Hatching the Past: Dinosaur Eggs & Babies.
- Nebraska Science Content Standards K-3
- 1.1: Unifying concepts and process
- 1.2: Science as inquiry
- 1.4: Life science
- 1.5: Earth and space science
- Nebraska Science STAR Standards for K-3
- 1.2.1: Science as inquiry
- 1.4.1: Life science
- 1.5.1: Earth and space science
North American Mammals — Grades PreK-3
Mammals make for some furry, friendly, hands-on learning! Students employ their observational skills to identify a number of scientific concepts including classification, physical and behavioral adaptation, communication and habitat during their guided tour of the Wildlife Dioramas Hall. Then test your knowledge with our forensics activities.
- Nebraska Science Content Standards PreK-3
- 1.1: Unifying Concepts and Processes
- 1.4: Life Science
- Nebraska Science STAR Standards for PreK-3
- 1.4.1: Life science
Mining for Minerals & Rockin’ with Rocks — Grades 5-6
Search for gold like a 49er! Will you be fooled (by pyrite) like so many? Learn about rocks and minerals during a guided tour of the Rocks and Minerals exhibit. Use your knowledge to identify and differentiate between minerals and the three types of rocks with class activities.
- Nebraska Science Content Standards 2-6
- 4.1: Unifying Concepts and Processes
- 4.3: Physical Science
- 4.5: Earth and Space Science
- 4.7: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
- Nebraska Science STAR Standards for 2-6
- 4.2.1: Science as inquiry
- 4.3.1: Physical science
- 4.5.1: Earth and space science
- 5.2.1: Science as inquiry
- 5.3.2: Physical science
 Search Activities Search activities for grades K-12 are handouts created as an additional learning tool for Teacher-Guided Tours. Search activities are available here, or ask for a master copy of your chosen topic when you make your reservations. Please bring pencils for your group.
Lied Super Screen Theatre
Teachers can see a large-format film anytime for just $4.00 each. (Family members and guests are charged regular admission fees.) Please present your state education association card for the discounted rate. Plus, if you bring your class back to see a large-format film, your ticket is FREE when you show your previous ticket stub. You'll also receive a Teacher's Guide for the film on the day your class visits while supplies last.
Currently Showing
Click here for current films.
Film Library
Ask about other large-format films available from our film library such as Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West. Special showtimes can be arranged for these films at 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Regular public shows start on the hour from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 J.M. McDonald Planetarium
School shows are scheduled on the hour from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Other times may be arranged with the planetarium director.) Planetarium seating capacity is 48 people.
The Sky Tonight — Grades K-12 (30-45 minutes)
Our version of the traditional planetarium show – a live, interactive tour of the current sky. Your show presenter points out the bright stars, constellations, planets, and any unusual sights that await the stargazer. Questions from the audience are encouraged after the tour. This show is adapted for different grades and levels of interest.
First Stars — Grade Pre-K (about 15 minutes)
A shortened version of The Sky Tonight for very young skywatchers, this show begins with a sunset and ends with sunrise.
Multimedia Shows
Multimedia shows use slides, video, special effects, and a soundtrack tape in addition to the stars. And, unlike The Sky Tonight, these shows change from year to year. Looking for a show discussing a topic of recent interest? Or just seeking a change-of-pace? Try one of these shows:
The Little Star That Could — Grades K-2 (35 minutes)
This show tells the story of a star searching for his planets. Along the way, the Little Star discovers how stars are born, how stars die, and why stars have different colors. Near the end of his search, the Little Star finds out about planets. An old favorite!
 Sky Quest — Grades 2-5 (30 minutes)
Through searching for her special place among the stars, a young girl grows up to become an astronomer. A wonderful show to encourage elementary school students to look up.
Lunar Odyssey — Grades 4-12 (40 minutes)
Step aboard a TransLunar vehicle for a tour of the Moon. As you glide over the Moon’s surface, tour guides regale you with lunar mythology, history and science.
Spirits from the Sky, Thunder on the Land — Grades 5-12 (40 minutes)
Former residents of central Nebraska, the Skidi Pawnee developed a sophisticated and fascinating sky mythology upon which they based their lives. In this show, a Skidi grandfather relates some of the old sky lore to his grandchildren. If you want a show on Native American sky stories, this is the one to request.
Nine Planets and Counting — Grades 3-8 (40 minutes)
A straightforward look at the planets (however many there may be) in our Solar System. Also includes the controversy regarding the definition of a planet.
 The Cowboy Astronomer — Grades 5-12 (45 minutes)
New offering! Cowboy poet Baxter Black offers a view of the universe from a unique western perspective. This show is best seen in the fall or winter, when many of the sights highlighted are visible.
Galaxies — Grades 5-12 (45 minutes)
Popular science author Timothy Ferris takes us on a tour of our corner of the universe, starting inside our Milky Way galaxy. From there, we travel outside the Milky Way to the heart of the Virgo Supercluster of Galaxies, 60 million light-years from Earth. An excellent show for demonstrating the truly immense scale of the universe.
 Blown Away — Grades 5-12 (45 minutes)
This show is about weather—inside and outside Earth’s atmosphere! We’ll examine the forces that power the weather we experience here on Earth, including the seasons, blizzards, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes. We look at a relatively new field of science, space weather. Those teaching classes in Earth science should check out this show.
 Cosmic Catastrophes — Grades 6-12 (40 minutes)
The star that gives life to the planet Sarton is dying, and ships are sent into the galaxy to find a new place to live. One possibility is Earth. But how safe is the planet from disasters of cosmic—and human—origin? Find out in this show, where science fiction meets science fact.
 ’Tis the Season — Grades 5-12 (40 minutes)
Offered Nov. 22 - Jan. 6 Only! In this wonderful holiday show, we examine the origins of Christmas traditions and why this time of year was celebrated long before the birth of Jesus Christ. Also included is one explanation of what the Magi may have seen as the Star of Bethlehem.
Public show — Grades 3-12 (30 minutes)
The public show usually combines a 20-minute version of the live Sky Tonight show with Skywatch, a brief (typically 10-minute) prerecorded feature. The topic of Skywatch changes every few weeks to highlight a news item of recent interest (upcoming sky event, new spacecraft to be launched, etc).
Other Activities
Solar Observing - Grades 4-12 (approx. 20 minutes)
Participants safely view our nearest star, the Sun, in three different ways: with the unaided eye, through a telescope equipped with a white-light solar filter (revealing sunspots, if any, on the disk), then finally through a hydrogen-alpha filter, allowing us to see the spectacular prominences along the Sun’s limb. (The outside temperature must be at least 30° F for the h-alpha filter to operate properly). This activity is recommended for groups of 20 people or less.
Planning Your Field Trip
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