Immerse your class in a deeper appreciation for the State of New York, where students can learn about the state’s rich historical value and unique significance. With a variety of collections, exhibits, educational programs, and media publications, the museum expresses the natural and cultural diversity of New York’s past and present. Classrooms of any age can emerge into the knowledge and appreciation for the state they call home.
With a variety of showcases and interactive exhibits, the museum provides an extensive number of opportunities for classrooms to learn. Whether you are interested in art, history or science, these exhibits can help enrich knowledge for students and educators.
“Outcasts: Mary Banning’s World of Mushrooms” introduces young learners to a 19th-century woman who defied societal norms by studying fungi, blending natural science with artistic expression. “The Power of Homestead” explores the role of small, self-reliant homes in American history, encouraging students to reflect on themes like resilience and independence. Meanwhile, “Margery Ryerson: Art is Contagious” highlights the work of an American artist known for portraying everyday people with empathy, showing how art can tell powerful, relatable stories. These exhibits help connect students naturally to the state of New York in a thought-provoking and interactive way.
Bring learning to life in the museum’s array of student-friendly programs, perfect for an additional activity to your group field trip. In Adirondack Animals, young learners explore the unique traits and habitats of mammals and birds found in the Adirondacks through interactive exhibits in the Adirondack and Bird Halls. Birds and Mammals invites students in grades 3–6 to compare traits of different species through up-close examination of skulls, specimens, and the birds of Bird Hall while learning about migration, habitat, and adaptation. For a cultural experience, Cradleboards and Longhouses takes students back 500 years to discover what life was like for a Haudenosaunee child, using hands-on materials and thoughtful questions to explore family life and environmental connection. These experiences help spark the curiosity of young minds and make learning feel like an adventure.
For out-of-the-classroom fun, the museum has after-school programs, along with virtual curriculum to satisfy educators who can’t provide the field trip in person. The Museum Club and Discovery Squad at the New York State Museum give kids and teens a fun, supportive place to learn and grow. The Museum Club is for kids ages 8–13 and helps them build confidence, explore the museum, and get help with homework. They participate in hands-on activities, learn to work in teams, and are encouraged to be curious and ask questions. The Discovery Squad is for teens ages 14–18 and allows them to take on more responsibility. They help younger kids learn job skills and prepare for college through tutoring, workshops, and mentoring. Both programs create a welcoming space where kids and teens feel encouraged, supported, and excited to learn.
Explore, enjoy, and educate your classroom with a trip to the New York State Museum. With multiple exhibits, activities, and programs, there is something for everyone to do.
