Step 3: Enjoy Your Visit
There is so much to see and do during a field trip to the Natural History Museum of Utah! Get the most out of your visit by using the activities below and reviewing field trip logistics.
NHMU Student Activities
Use the below student activities to explore NHMU's permanent galleries.
- The K-2nd guide helps students explore many of our galleries with a connection to school standards.
- For the 3rd-5th Exhibit Explorers guides we recommend choosing a couple of exhibits for students to explore in depth.
- In the 6th-8th grade guides, chose Life or Land Gallery with an emphasis on system and system models or cause and effect.
| K-1st Grade | 2nd-3rd Grade | 3rd-5th Grade | 6th-8th Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Guides | ||||
| Companion guides for Teachers and Chaperones | Exhibit Explorers Companion Guide |
Special Exhibition
The new Special Exhibition is Orcas: Our Shared Future, open now through April 20th!
In addition to our permanent galleries, field trips can visit the Museum's temporary special exhibit at NO additional cost.
3rd-5th Grade Student Guide for Orcas, 6-8th Grade Student Guide for Orcas.
Create your Own Field Trip Activity
Natural History Museum of Utah educators have observed that students, Lead Explorers, and teachers have the best field trip experiences when they:
- Focus on one particular exhibit or topic in-depth rather than trying to see and do it all.
- Include:
- Pre-visit component
- During visit component
- Post-visit component
Teachers can visit the Museum for FREE to help plan their field trip. Interested? Email the Field Trip Team for a discount code for free admission.
STEM Programs
During your visit our STEM Lab drop-in space or STEM in the Spotlight program may be available! Learn more about the current activities and schedule on the STEM Programs webpage.
Field Trip Logistics
We hope you enjoy your visit to NHMU and discover something new about the world around you. To help ensure a smooth and successful field trip for all please review the following:
Remember to get MORE out of your field trip.
M: Museum Mode. Please have calm bodies and quiet voices while at the Museum.
O: Observe. Use your senses to discover new things. Make sure to think before you touch to protect object. Also, all food, drink, and gum are not permitted in the Galleries.
R: Respect. Students, Lead Explorers, and Teachers are expected to respect each other and the policies of NHMU. Students in Elementary, Middle, and Junior High are required to stay with chaperones at all times.
E: Explore Exhibits. There are so many things to learn and discover! What can you learn that is new?
Lunch/Snack
Lunch or snack spaces are available by reservation only due to partnerships with other NHMU programming, and pest management policies. Groups without a lunch space reservation may not eat on Museum property. Looking to add a lunch space reservation to your field trip reservation? Email the Field Trip Team. Interested in a nearby park for a picnic? Click here to learn about a few of our favorites!
Can our group buy food from the Canyon Café? Field trips are discouraged from purchasing food from the Canyon Café during their field trip. If individuals need to purchase food from the Canyon Café during their scheduled lunch time, we encourage purchasing quicker options like pre-made sandwiches as lunch times are only a set 20 minutes. If a group does not have a lunch space scheduled during their visit, they cannot purchase food or beverage from the Canyon Café.
How long are lunch times reserved for? Lunch times are a set 20 minutes as stated in confirmation emails with a 10 minute period of cleaning between each lunch time. Please be on time for your scheduled lunch time as additional time will not be accommodated unless confirmed by the Field Trip Coordinator in advance of the field trip.
Where do we store our lunches during our visit? Please bring student lunches in large bins or coolers instead of individuals backpacks. Storage space in the lunchroom is limited to one shelfing rack per school. Upon arrival, groups will be asked to help carry their bins of lunches into the Community Room which is used as the lunchroom.
Lunch spaces are not available during summertime due to summer camp programming.
Questions? Email The Field Trip Team.