Grades: Pre-K–2

Audience Size: 10–25 students

Length of Program: 15–20 minutes

Description: What is the science behind BUBBLES? During this beloved Discovery Center program, children will use the scientific method to experiment hands-on and observe what bubbles look like and how they behave. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards:

English Language Arts Common Core Learning Standards: 

• • • Comprehension and Collaboration (speaking and listening)

    • Presentation of knowledge of ideas (speaking and listening)

    • Vocabulary acquisition and use

Science and Engineering Practices

• • • Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)

    • Planning and carrying out investigations

    • Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)

    • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Learning Standards for Technology Education

• Engineering design

Categories: Science 

Cost: 

Museum Visit:

• • • $10 per student

    • (1) complimentary chaperone for every 10 students

    • $5 per additional chaperone

Please reach our to the Discovery Center to confirm availability

Grades: K–5

Audience Size: 10–25 students

Length of Program: 20 minutes

Description: Math will never be this sweet! Learn about the science of sugar and practice your STEM skills as we work with counting, pattern making, sorting, building, and measuring—all using candy!

Seasonal variations: Trick or Treat- October only (costumes welcome!), Gingerbread City- November and December only

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards:

English Language Arts Common Core Learning Standards

• • • Research to build and present knowledge

    • Comprehension and Collaboration (speaking and listening)

    • Presentation of knowledge of ideas (speaking and listening)

    • Vocabulary acquisition and use

Mathematical Practices Common Core Learning Standards

• • • Counting and cardinality

    • Measurement and data

Cost: 

Museum Visit:

• • • $10 per student

    • (1) complimentary chaperone for every 10 students

    • $5 per additional chaperone

Please reach our to the Discovery Center to confirm availability

Grades: 1

Audience Size: 10–25

Length of Program: 30 minutes

Description: Children will take an explorative journey throughout the museum and Story Garden, identifying recognizable spaces and learning hands-on who the community helpers are that inhabit them. As a group we will discuss what are our needs and wants in our shared community, and reveal how every helper has a role in keeping our community safe, healthy and cultured. There will be demonstrations in specific exhibits inside the Museum and free play time included to encourage role play. After, children will be prompted to write about a community helper that they learned about that they value the most and give supporting details as to why.

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards:

English Language Arts Common Core Learning Standards: 

• • • Production and distribution of writing

    • Research to build and present knowledge

    • Comprehension and Collaboration (speaking and listening)

    • Presentation of knowledge of ideas (speaking and listening)

Categories: Animals / Environmental education/ Farms / Nature; Art; History; Multicultural; Museums / Exhibits; Storytelling; Teamwork / Leadership Skills; Tourism; Wellness / Life Skills / Bully Prevention / Character Education

Cost: 

Museum Visit:

• • • $10 per student

    • (1) complimentary chaperone for every 10 students

    • $5 per additional chaperone

Please reach our to the Discovery Center to confirm availability

Grades: Pre-K–2

Audience Size: 10–25

Length of Program: 30 minutes

Description: Who knew science could be so...delicious! Children will transform into paleontologists during this interactive dinosaur workshop, identifying five species and testing fine motor skills by digging around in some sweet treats.

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards:

English Language Arts Common Core Learning Standards

• • • Research to build and present knowledge

    • Comprehension and Collaboration (speaking and listening)

    • Presentation of knowledge of ideas (speaking and listening)

    • Vocabulary acquisition and use

Mathematical Practices Common Core Learning Standards

• • • Counting and cardinality

    • Measurement and data

Science and Engineering Practices

• • • Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)

    • Planning and carrying out investigations

    • Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)

    • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Categories: Animals / Environmental Education / Farms / Nature; Math; Science

Cost: 

Museum Visit:

• • • $10 per student

    • (1) complimentary chaperone for every 10 students

    • $5 per additional chaperone

Please reach our to the Discovery Center to confirm availability

Grades: K–5

Audience Size: 10–25 students

Length of Program: 40 minutes

Description: Buzz your way into our fascinating journey and open your eyes to the vibrant world of Pollinators. Through center-based activities, learn about the symbiosis relationship of these creatures and how they help make our gardens grow. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards:

Science and Engineering Practices:

• • • Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)

    • Planning and carrying out investigations

    • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Categories: Animals / Environmental Education / Nature; Museums / Exhibits; Science

Cost: 

Museum Visit:

• $10 per student

• (1) complimentary chaperone for every 10 students

• $5 per additional chaperone

Please reach our to the Discovery Center to confirm availability

Grades: K–3

Audience Size: 10–25 students

Length of Program: 40 minutes

Description: Wedge yourself into a seat! Join us as we learn about toys and simple machines! Through guided team play students will discover the functions of simple machines and be able to identify simple machines in everyday toys.  This program features learning stations that include identification, comprehension play, and building activities. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards:

English Language Arts Common Core Learning Standards

• Research to build and present knowledge

• Comprehension and Collaboration (speaking and listening)

• Presentation of knowledge of ideas (speaking and listening)

• Vocabulary acquisition and use

Mathematical Practices Common Core Learning Standards

• Counting and cardinality

• Measurement and data

Science and Engineering Practices:

• • • Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)

    • Planning and carrying out investigations

    • Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)

    • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Categories: Animals / Environmental Education / Nature; Museums / Exhibits; Science

Cost: 

Museum Visit:

• $10 per student

• (1) complimentary chaperone for every 10 students

• $5 per additional chaperone

Please reach our to the Discovery Center to confirm availability

Grades: K–5

Audience Size: 10–25 students

Length of Program: 40 minutes

Description: GET READY, GET SET, GO! Attention all sports enthusiasts and fans, join us for our NEW Sports Matters experience. The ball is in your park; solve perplexing sports themed riddles through reasoning and deduction using STEAM programming and center-based learning. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards:

English Language Arts Common Core Learning Standards

• Research to build and present knowledge

• Comprehension and Collaboration (speaking and listening)

• Presentation of knowledge of ideas (speaking and listening)

• Vocabulary acquisition and use

Mathematical Practices Common Core Learning Standards

• Counting and cardinality

• Measurement and data

Science and Engineering Practices:

• • • Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)

    • Planning and carrying out investigations

    • Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)

    • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Categories: Animals / Environmental Education / Nature; Math; Museums / Exhibits; Science 

Cost: 

Museum Visit:

• $10 per student

• (1) complimentary chaperone for every 10 students

• $5 per additional chaperone

Please reach our to the Discovery Center to confirm availability

Program Description

In our Dinosaur Dig outreach program, children step into the role of Junior Paleontologists on an exciting prehistoric adventure! Young explorers will meet five fascinating dinosaur species and have a blast sorting and classifying them by size, color, diet, and other features. Students will also get hands-on experience with the science of fossils as they brush, scoop, and search for hidden discoveries in an engaging mock dig site.

Next, young explorers will then roll up their sleeves to create fossil imprints. They’ll use playdough, shells, and dinosaur shapes to construct unique fossil creations. For a fun and tasty twist, students will go on a cookie dig, using tools to uncover chocolate chip “fossils” while practicing real excavation techniques.

The Dinosaur Dig program blends science, sensory exploration, creativity and a little bit of yummy fun!

Learning Objectives

Learn What a Paleontologist Does

Children will explore the exciting job of paleontologists—scientists who study fossils to learn about ancient life. They’ll discover how experts find, clean, sort, and identify dinosaur remains.

Identify Five Dinosaur Species

Through interactive activities, children will examine models, pictures, and clues to identify five different dinosaur species. They’ll learn what makes each dinosaur unique, from bone shapes to teeth, size, and features.

Fossil “Digs” With Chocolate Chip Cookies

Science has never been so delicious! Children will practice excavation skills by digging for chocolate chip “fossils”. They’ll carefully remove each fossil using tools—just like real paleontologists—and learn how delicate fossil recovery can be.

Sort and Classify Dinosaurs

Depending on age level, children will group dinosaurs by:

●     Color

●     Herbivore vs. Carnivore

●     Size

●     Where they lived (land, air, sea)

●     Special features

Explore Paleontologist Tools

Children will learn about the tools paleontologists use, such as brushes, trowels, picks, and magnifying glasses. Then they’ll use these tools in a realistic sand dig to uncover hidden “fossils,” practicing care, patience, and teamwork.

Impressions & Imprint-Making

Children will discover how many fossils are formed from impressions—the marks or shapes ancient creatures leave behind in mud, sand, or sediment.

Using playdough, rollers, shells, leaves, toy dinosaurs, and animal figures, children will:

●     Press objects into playdough to create their own fossil imprints

●     Compare the shapes and textures left behind

●     Explore how soft materials can capture details like scales, footprints, and shells

●     Learn the difference between fossil imprints and actual remains

This creative, sensory experience helps children understand how fossils form in nature and lets them create “fossils” of their own.

By the end of the program, children will not only know more about dinosaurs—they’ll feel like true paleontologists who have dug, discovered, sorted, imprinted, and explored the prehistoric world.

Where science is hands-on, imaginative, and delicious!

Ideal for: schools, libraries, community centers and afterschool programs

Age Range: adaptable for early childhood through elementary

Program Length: 60 minutes

Group Size:  up to 30 students

Facility Requirements:  Indoor set up with tables and a place for large group introduction

Cost of program: $350

Voices of the Earth: Native Stories & Creative Traditions is a traveling outreach program from The Discovery Center that invites children to experience the richness of Native American storytelling through listening, imagination, and hands-on creation.

Participants will gather to hear traditional Native American stories that reflect themes of nature, community, animals, weather, and respect for the Earth. Guided by a skilled storyteller, children are encouraged to listen deeply, ask questions, and explore how stories were traditionally shared as a way to teach values, history, and connection.

Following the story, children will take part in a creative activity inspired by the storytelling tradition. Depending on the program focus, participants may create rain sticks to explore sound and weather symbolism, or storytelling puppets to retell stories and express ideas through imaginative play.

This program is designed to be interactive, age-appropriate, and respectful, emphasizing cultural appreciation rather than imitation. It supports literacy, listening skills, fine motor development, and social-emotional learning while fostering curiosity about Native American cultures and storytelling traditions.

Ideal for: schools, libraries, community centers, after-school programs, and family events
Age Range: adaptable for early childhood through elementary students

Group Size: up to 30 students
Program length: flexible (30–60 minutes)

Facility: Large group area with tables and chairs for crafting

Cost: $350

Note: Native American stories are an important part of living cultures that have been shared from generation to generation through listening, memory, and community. These stories teach respect for the Earth, for animals, and for one another.

We share these stories to learn and to listen—not to copy or pretend to be someone else, but to appreciate the wisdom they offer. The activities we create are inspired by storytelling traditions and are meant to help us explore ideas, sounds, and symbols in a respectful way.

 Outreach Program :  A Kid’s Colonial America

Program Description :

The program “A Kid’s Colonial America” will invite children into the world of Colonial America and experience what a child’s life would be like during the time of the American Revolution. Children will explore colonial artifacts, attend Dame School, “work on the farm”, and play with toys and games of the time. Children will discover through hands-on play and activities what it was like to be a child at that time compared to a kid’s life today.

Learning Objectives:

Introduction: Through Storytelling and Story Listening, students will be introduced to what colonial life was like in a family unit through food, dress, chores, school, home, and playtime.

Artifact Identification :  (Table)  Students, in a small group setting, will be able to examine artifacts and try to determine their purpose. Students will try to match their artifacts with their modern-day counterpart in a matching game through Object and Social Play.

Dame School :  (Table)( Mixed Age Play) Children will assume the role of a student in colonial times by attending a Dame School with the use of a hornbook, and quill and ink. Students will make their own quill to take home while learning the importance of good penmanship. Students will also learn the importance of letters for communication and how they were delivered.

Family Life :  (Table) Students will use hands-on activities to simulate a child’s responsibilities to their family through chores such as weaving and carding wool. Children, through Imaginative Play, will have the opportunity to try on clothing of the colonial era and make a Buzz Saw game to take home from the spun wool. Children will also explore the different responsibilities between boys and girls and the chores associated with each through foods and shelter.

Playtime : (Table and play space) Children will be able to play as colonial children did with replica toys of the Revolutionary period. Through Social and Bodily Movement Play, children as individuals or in groups will play Quoits, Hoop and Stick, Cat’s Cradle, Cup and Ball, Game of Graces and Pick-Up Sticks which will allow children to experience what play was like during the American Revolution.

Ideal for: schools, libraries, community center, and after school programs

Age Range : adaptable for early childhood through elementary

Program Length : 60 minutes

Group Size : up to 30 students

Facility Requirements : Indoor set-up – 4 tables, space for game play

Program Cost : $350

 Bubbleology: The Sudsy Science of Bubbles

(Short Interactive Demonstration Version)

Program description

Get ready for a bubbly science adventure! In this fast-paced, hands-on program, kids don’t just watch bubbles, they experiment with them.

Children will:

• Help mix the bubble solution

• Test different tools to see what makes the BIGGEST bubble!

• Try to hold bubbles, stretch them, and even hold bubbles!

• Make predictions: Will this shape work? Why are bubbles always round?

• Discover fun science words like cohesion and elasticity through play

We use everyday items (even kitchen tools!) to show that science is everywhere. Kids are invited to try, test, and explore as we figure out what bubbles can really do!

Ideal for: schools, libraries, community center, and after school programs

Age Range : adaptable for early childhood through elementary

Program Length : 30 minutes

Group Size : up to 30 students

Facility Requirements : Indoor/outdoor set-up – 1 table and a space large enough for children to sit and gather

Program Cost : $250

Bubbleology: The Sudsy Science of Bubbles…AND MORE!

(Extended Interactive Stations Version)

This is Bubbleology turned up a notch! Kids start with a lively demo, then become bubble scientists AND bubble artists through hands-on stations. 

Part 1: Bubble Science Show (15 minutes)

• Students jump right in as we explore:

• How bubbles are made

• Why they stretch

• Why they always turn into spheres

• What happens when we change shapes and tools

Part 2: Hands-On Bubble Stations (30 minutes)

Kids rotate through three active stations:

Bubble Art Station-
Blow colorful paint bubbles onto paper to create wild, one-of-a-kind artwork. Science meets creativity!

Free Bubble Exploration-
Experiment with different wands, tools, and techniques. Can you make a giant bubble? A bubble chain? A bubble you can hold?

DIY Bubble Wand Station-
Design and build your own bubble wand using pipe cleaners and beads. Then test it out!

Ideal for: schools, libraries, community center, and after school programs

Age Range : adaptable for early childhood through elementary

Program Length : 60 minutes

Group Size : up to 30 students

Facility Requirements : Indoor/outdoor set-up – 5 tables and a space large enough for children to sit and gather

Program Cost : $350