Other Educational Programs
Family Arts and Creativity Workshops
1st Friday Food for Thought
FREE 2nd Saturday Programs
Self Guided Opportunities
Planetariums
Natural History Field Schools
Other Programs & Events
Other Services
The New Jersey State Museum offers a variety of educational programs throughout the year.  Like the monthly series, these programs provide a dynamic educational experience that brings to life the concepts behind the Museum's diverse exhibitions.  Programs such as the Family Arts & Creativity Workshops are a concentrated multi-week experience that bring parents, children, and artists together to participate in fun-filled art activities.  The 1st Friday Food for Thought: Lunchtime Gallery Walks provide a great break during the workday.  In addition, the Museum offers a variety of self-guided experience that enrich your understanding  of the exhibitions as well as one-time or seasonal activities such as Scouting Explorers, Summer Explorers, or the Civil War Flag Rotations, symposia, special lectures, and more!   
Family Arts and Creativity Workshops

 

NEW PROGRAM ~ Together with Young Audiences New Jersey, the Museum will offer workshops that bring parents, children, and artists together to participate in fun-filled arts activities, to learn and create together.  These workshops are appropriate for one child aged 7 to 10 and a significant adult in their lives and provide a shared experience to explore, develop, and exchange ideas through the unique languages of visual arts, movement, music, theater, and creative writing.  A team of artists will work with up to 12 families in both a morning and afternoon session in October/November and February/March.  Participants will also have the opportunity to attend two free performances in the Museum's Auditorium.  These workshops series is generously funded by the Horizon Foundation.  Ages: 7 - 10.
 
Pre-registration is required:  please call Young Audiences New Jersey (609.243.9000) for more information or to register for this program. 
1st Friday Food for Thought

Join one of the Museum's Curators for a tour through one of the current exhibitions.  All tours are FREE of charge and gather on the Museum's 1st floor; tours begin at 12:10 pm and finish by 1:00 pm ~ a perfect lunchtime break ~ reservations are required.
 
Sampling Life: Preserving Fluids and Natural History Collections
October 7, 2011
 
Remembering 9/11: Reflections and Memories from New Jersey
November 4, 2011
 
Natural History Highlights
December 2, 2011
 
American Perspectives: The Fine Art Collection
January 6, 2012
 
Pretty Big Things: Stories of New Jersey History
February 3, 2012
 
Civil War Flag Collection of New Jersey
March 2, 2012
 
New Jersey Archaeology
May 4, 2012
 
Botanica Magnifica
June 1, 2012
FREE 2nd Saturday Programs

The New Jersey State Museum is proud to offer free Auditorium performances shown on the 2nd Saturday of each month.  Free 2nd Saturday performances are repeated at 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm and include:

 

YANJ: Tap Team Two: Hoofing in America
September 10, 2011

 

YANJ: Noah Lewis: Edward "Ned" Hector, Black Patriot of the American Revolution
October 8, 2011

 

YANJ: Thunderbirds: Yah-oh Way
November 12, 2011

 

YANJ: The Seventh Principal: Bantaba: The Circle of Celebration
December 10, 2011

 

YANJ: Dance China New York: Lion Dance
January 14, 2012

 

YANJ: Tahir: Freedom Stories
February 11, 2012

 

YANJ: Washington Productions: A Seat for Rosa
March 10, 2012

 

YANJ: Piccirillo Sciencetellers: The Bugs of Blackwood
April 14, 2012
 
YANJ: Rochel Garner Coleman: I, Nat Love
May 12, 2012
 
YANJ: RockRoots: A History of American Pop Music
June 9, 2012
Self Guided Opportunities
 
Sampling Life: Preserving Fluids and Natural History Collections: Scavenger Hunt
September 1 through December 31, 2011.
Use the Museum's creative scavenger hunt to take a closer look at this unique exhibition that explores the intriguing methods used by collectors and scientists to preserve once-living organisms.  The exhibition showcases how fluids were used to preserve whole organisms - including flesh and organs - where most other methods would only preserve the hide and skeletal remains.  In addition to viewing rarely seen liquid preservation methods, the viewer is also given a chance to explore taxidermy, dehydration and other interesting preservation methods.  Take this rare opportunity delve into a part of the Museum's seldom-exhibited "wet" collection of fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and more, all of which were kept in jars in differing stages of dissection.  This exhibition will be on view for a very limited time only.  Grades: 4 - 12 and beyond; No reservation is required. Related Core Curriculum Content Standards: NJ 5.1 and 5.3; PA 3.1 and 3.3; and DE (Science) 6 and 7.

 

Natural History Highlights: Imagine What You'll Discover! 

September 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

NEW PROGRAM ~ Try your hand as a Natural History illustrator!  Visitors can now engage in an activity that allows them to step into the shoes of historical figures and imagine themselves as famous explorers and pioneers, publishing their discoveries during a time without color photography, audio, video, or film recordings.  Museum guests will have the chance to become natural history illustrators, bird portraitists, and science writers by recording their own observations of some of the hundreds of specimens on display in the New Jersey State Museum's exhibition Natural History Highlights.

 

 

Remember 9/11: Reflections and Memories from New Jersey: Exhibition Overview

September 7, 2011 through September 14, 2012.

On September 11, 2001, the world watched in horror as terrorists used commercial airplanes as weapons against the United States, killing 2,979 people, destroying the World Trade Center, and damaging the Pentagon in their brutal coordinated attack.  On that fateful day, 677 New Jerseyans - the second highest casualty toll after New York - perished at the World Trade Center (WTC), Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  Information sheets that help teachers and parents talk to students about the sensitive subject matter explored in the exhibition are available on the Museum's 1st floor lobby.  While guided tours are not available for this exhibition, a Museum Docent will be available to give your group a brief overview prior to touring the exhibition on your own.  Please call 609.292.1382 two weeks before your visit to arrange for Docent introduction.  Grades: 9-12; related Core Curriculum Content Standards:  NJ 5.3 and 6.1; PA1.6, 3.1, 3.3 and 8.3; and DE Science 6, Geography 4 and History 4.

 

Presidential Scavenger Hunt

February 1 through February 29.

In honor of President Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays, participate in an engaging Presidential Scavenger Hunt around the Museum.  Pick up the Scavenger Hunt Worksheets at the Museum's 1st floor lobby and the Galleries at 225 West State Street before you explore the exhibitions on your own to locate a variety of images of Presidents Washington and Lincoln.  This family friendly activity is perfect for small or large groups.  The scavenger hunt guides people around the Museum's exhibitions in search of images of Presidents Washington and Lincoln (with a bonus image of President Roosevelt).  The activity is engaging, entertaining, and educational!  Grades: 4 - 12 and beyond; No reservation is required.  Related Core Curriculum Content Standards: NJ 6.1 and 6.3; PA 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, and 8.3; and DE (History) 4. 

 

 

Planetarium Programs

 

Laser Nutcracker Spectacular 3D
December 27, 28, & 29 at 11:00 am & 1:00 pm.  $7 for adults & $5 for children.
This entertaining show captures the joyous spirit of the season with spectacular effects and brilliant laser light. In addition to the classical music from Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet, the program includes Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and other favorites. Suitable for general audiences.  Reservations will not be taken for this program; all tickets will be sold at the gate on a first come, first serve basis.

 

Sky Observing Sessions
May 11 at 7:30 pm.  Free of charge.
Join the Planetarium staff and the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton (AAAP) in observing the sky. Meet at the planetarium at 7:30 pm, and on clear nights after a short Planetarium show, drive out to the AAAP's Simpson Observatory in Using AAAP telescopes. On overcast nights, see a full planetarium show.   Grades: General Audience

 

Special Weekday Spring Break Presentations
April 2, 3, & 4 at 11:00 am & 1:00 pm.  $7 for adults & $5 for children.
Program to be determined.  Check our website regularly for updates.
Natural History Field Schools

 

Paleontology Field School
July 15 - 28, 2012.  6:30 am to 6:30 pm.
Each week-long session will consist of finding, documenting and excavating fossils such as dinosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, fish, and mammals in continental rocks of Cretaceous and Paleogene age.  Collecting will be on behalf of the New Jersey State Museum by federal permits of the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Dept. of the Interior.
  
Dinosaurs of the Rocky Mountains
July 15 - 28, 2012.  6:30 am to 6:30 pm.
The New Jersey State Museum will be joined by the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in offering a field course for interested college students and adults, with college credit available.  Each week-long session will consist of finding, documenting and excavating fossils such as dinosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, fish, and mammals in continental rocks of Cretaceous and Paleogene age. Biostratigraphy of the rocks will be included and there will probably be some discoveries of fossil ammonites in associated rocks of marine origin.  Collecting will be on behalf of the New Jersey State Museum by federal permits of the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior.
 
For more information or to register, please contact David Parris ([email protected]) or Jason Schein ([email protected]), or call (609) 292-8594.
Other Programs & Events

Civil War Flags - Unveiling
December 28, 2011 & June 22, 2012 at 10:00 am.  Free of Charge
Come and meet the New Jersey State Museum's Curator of Cultural History and get a behind-the-scenes view of the Museum's Civil War Flags.  See flags bravely carried into combat by New Jersey's Civil War soldiers and discover the unknown stories of our state's role in the Union war effort.  Learn about the function of Civil War flags on the field of battle, as well as the decorative qualities of these beautiful and unique works of art.  You'll be surprised by all you'll see!  In order to showcase the many highlights of this special collection, the Civil War flag gallery unveils new flags every six months.  Related Core Curriculum Content Standards: NJ 1.2, 6.1 and 6.3; PA 5.1, 8.3, 9.1 and 9.2; and DE Social Studies 4 as well as Visual Arts 4. 
 
Scouting Explorers' Day: Geology and Archaeology
October 22 at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm.  $5 per person.
Are you a member of a youth group or scouting organization in search of exciting and fascinating merit badges?  Would you like to learn about the earth, and the history of its human inhabitants?  Come to the New Jersey State Museum's Youth Explorers' Day to learn about these fascinating subjects from the Museum's professional, geologists, paleontologists and archaeologists.  Our staff will be on hand to guide you through the Museum's collection of specimens, tools and maps.  Don't forget to bring your own collections: we'll help you identify those, too!  Find out what geologists and archaeologists do and watch live demonstrations, all designed to help you learn why it is important to study these subjects.  Our staff's expertise will help you fulfill many of the requirements to earn your ratings, badges, or project awards (Geology will be at 10:00 am and Archaeology will be at 1:00 pm).  Join us for a day of fun and learning at the NJSM!  Advance reservations are required but it is not necessary to be a Scout to enroll in the program.  For registration or for more information, please call (609) 292-8594, weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Other Services

Museum Materials for Classroom Use
On-going & free of charge. 
Teachers may borrow a variety of rocks, fossils, minerals, shells, and insects from the Museum's Natural History collections for instructional purposes.  Specimens are gathered based upon individual requests.  Insurance is required.  Call (609) 292.6310 for more information.  
  
Object Identification
On-going & free of charge.
Dependent on staffing resources and by appointment only, the Archaeology/Ethnology, Cultural History, Fine Art, and Natural History Bureaus will identify objects or specimens brought in by students, teachers or the public. 
By appointment only; please call:
 
Archaeology/Ethnology: (609) 292-8594
Cultural History: (609) 292-5420
Fine Art: (609) 292-5420
Natural History: (609) 292-8954