Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum offers an engaging blend of scientific history and immersive activities, captivating students with a glimpse into the Ice Age. As one of the world’s most famous fossil sites, the museum provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore ancient history, witness actual fossil excavations, and engage in hands-on learning. Visitors can explore the museum through scavenger hunts, participate in art classes highlighting the intersection of culture and science, and experience educational exhibitions that bring history to life.
There is an abundance of enriching culture for the whole classroom to enjoy! The Tar Pits highlight the Ice Age Era of Los Angeles, and students can indulge in the paleontological history through the exhibits around the museum. Step into the sights of towering mammoths, massive ground sloths, and fierce saber-toothed cats—some of the most remarkable fossils unearthed at the Tar Pits. Students can also observe scientists at work in the Fossil Lab as they carefully prepare specimens, then explore the surrounding galleries to see these incredible fossils up close.
The museum hosts real scientists, museum educators, and volunteers who are all available to talk with the whole classroom on topics related to the exhibits. After browsing through the 3.5 million fossils on display, the museum offers a variety of group activities ideal for classroom trips. A trip to La Brea Tar Pits is incomplete without seeing the exciting 3D adventure film Titans of the Ice Age. This film is perfect for the whole class to explore how these incredible creatures lived 10,000–50,000 years ago, became trapped in tar, were preserved for millennia, and are now being uncovered at the Tar Pits. Another show offered at the museum is Ice Age Encounters, a 15-minute show featuring a life-size adult saber-toothed cat puppet, a live performance, and film projections that bring the distant past to life. Held in a cozy theater, this show is perfect for classrooms of any age!
On a sunny day, students can explore the Tar Pits and nearby parks on a scenic and historic tour. Groups can visit Lake Pit, Hancock Park, and the Pleistocene Garden to experience firsthand the region’s prehistoric past and natural beauty. These outdoor spaces offer an excellent opportunity for students to reflect on how landscapes have changed over thousands of years For groups that can’t travel to the location, the museum educators host virtual school programs. Students will join the museum educators for an engaging virtual presentation via Zoom Webinar, accessible to multiple classrooms at once. While in “listen-only” mode, students and teachers can submit questions via chat. These programs are also streamed live to their YouTube channel. Teacher guides are available online for educators looking to bring museum-led nature exploration into their own classrooms.
The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum offer something for every classroom. Whether it’s a self-guided fossil tour, an Ice Age-themed performance, or an engaging educational activity, the museum provides an enriching and exciting glimpse into Los Angeles’ prehistoric past.
