Michigan Through the Ages (3-5th grades, 2.5 hours)
Choose two lessons from the four options below. Programs consist of two 45 minute lessons, with time allotted for students to explore the galleries further on their own, and a primary/secondary source activity.
At this time, lesson options include:
- Fur Trade: Learn how the fur trade was Michigan's first major industry; interact with some of the objects that would have been used and traded; play an interactive fur trade simulation game.
- Lumbering: Understand the process of lumbering in Michigan and its historical significance; interact with objects from the industry; learn what life was like in a lumber camp; create unique log stamps.
- Astronauts of Apollo: *Special Kozmic Clash program* Learn about the first astronauts to walk on the moon, their journey through space, and the technology that took them there and back. Students will participate in their own space race, design their own moon, and use an interactive exhibit to complete the comic book "One Giant Leap."
- ·Science of Sound: *Special Kozmic Clash program* What's that sound? Come learn the difference between noise and music, and discover how sounds become a song. Students will explore soundwaves through sensory activities and learn about how humans hear. Students will learn about the transfer of energy into sound and create their own unique instrument to take home.
To schedule a tour, fill out the Michigan Through the Ages registration form.
One-Room School (K-12th grades, 1 hour & 15 min.)
Our reconstructed, historic one-room schoolhouse, located on CMU's campus, is a great opportunity for students to experience a schoolhouse in the early 1900s, including completing lessons from the time period, playing vintage games, and learning about animals they would have seen walking to school.
To schedule a tour, fill out the One-room School Program registration form.
Please note: Schoolhouse can accommodate up to 30 students at a time. Great for all ages!
Backyard Birding (2nd grade, Two hours)
Learn about the birds of Michigan and the adaptations that help them to survive in a variety of environments through hands-on activities including touching various bones and feathers, learning to identify birds during a birding activity, and more.
To schedule a program, please complete the Backyard Birding registration form .
Please note: Can be combined with Music of Nature or One-room Schoolhouse, doing slightly shorter versions of each. Please put a comment on the registration form.
Music of Nature (1st–2nd grades, Two hours)
In this program, students will learn how different animals communicate, including various land and water animals. With their peers, they will identify animals based on the sound, and see some of the animals up close (taxidermied museum specimens). They will learn different bird calls and build their own duck call.
To schedule a program, please complete the Music of Nature registration form.
Habitats (1st grade, Two hours)
Learn about the four components of habitat and see various Michigan animals up close (taxidermy specimens, some of which can be touched by students). Identify animals and the adaptations that help them survive. Students will test their knowledge in our habitat-matching challenge, compete for resources in a game of survival, and create an insect of their own.
To schedule a program, please complete the Habitats registration form.
Please note: Can be combined with Music of Nature, doing slightly shorter versions of each. Please put a comment on the registration form.
Music in Motion (Preschool, 1 hour & 20 min.)
In the new "Feel the Music" hands-on gallery, students will learn about the musical concepts of pitch, quality, and strength through fun, interactive games that explore tone. They will also create their own unique instrument to take home.
To schedule a program, please complete the Music in Motion registration form.