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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Exhibit Explorations

A taxidermy African elephant stands on a pedestal in the large, open rotunda of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Henry the African elephant stands in the museum's rotunda. Photo by James Di Loreto and Lucia RM Martino, Smithsonian Institution

Introduction

Three teenagers look into an exhibit case of minerals, as seen from through the case on the other side. There are eight minerals in the image, of various sizes and shapes and ranging in color from white to black.
Students look at minerals in the "Cellphone: Exhibit Explorations" exhibit. Image credit: Phillip R. Lee and James Di Loreto, Smithsonian Institution

In 2026, we are piloting a new school program, Exhibit Explorations, that turns our exhibits into an exploratory classroom! This interactive experience, created for students and youth groups in grades 6 to 12, gives participants the opportunity to explore the exhibits using guided questions designed to spark curiosity, reveal insider information about our collections and science, and engage in conversations with educators and volunteers.

  • Designed for students and visiting youth groups in grades 6th through 12th  
  • Pilot Phase runs from March 30 to June 4, 2026
  • Pilot Phase Options:  
    • Sant Ocean Hall - Available for groups of 20-35 students
    • Geology, Gem, and Minerals & Cellphone: Unseen Connections - Available for groups of 20-70 students  
  • Slots available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 
  • Program start time options at 10:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
  • Hour long program
  • Free, but advanced registration is required 

During the registration process, Exhibit Exploration groups can select between visiting the following exhibits:

Exhibit Explorations is a mix of guided and self-guided experiences. Groups start with a museum educator-led orientation in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. This orientation provides an overview of the National Museum of Natural History, our science, our collections, and our exhibits, and prepares groups, both students and adults, for their experience in their selected exhibit(s).

After the orientation, participants will be escorted to their selected exhibit(s) where in small groups alongside their teachers/chaperones, they will select from 10 different envelopes that will take them to different areas of the hall that focus on a theme or featured collections object.

Inside each envelope groups will find 3 types of discussion-based questions:  

  • One Personal Connection Question: These are open-ended questions for the groups to discuss. Think less content focused and more exploratory, imaginative and/or reflective.
  • One Content Question: The answer to these questions can be found by making observations, reviewing graphics, and/or reading exhibit labels.
  • One Insider Info Question: A question to ponder that has an interesting museum story that can be revealed by finding an Exhibit Explorations Navigator. These Navigators will also have different education collection items and/or photos for groups to explore. Once a group finishes their envelope, they will make a new selection based on their interests!

Please note that because Exhibit Explorations is a pilot, changes to the experience will be made based on participant feedback throughout the spring. 

What is the grade level/age requirement to participate in Exhibit Explorations? 
Participating students must be in grades 6 through 12, and at least 11 years old by the date of the program.

What is the student number requirement to participate in Exhibit Explorations? 
We require a minimum of 20 grade level and age-appropriate students present to run an Exhibit Explorations program. The maximum student number for our Sant Ocean Hall pilot experience is 35. The maximum student number for our pilot experience in Geology, Gem, and Minerals & Cellphone: Unseen Connections is 70.  

What is the museum’s chaperone policy for Exhibit Explorations? 
For Exhibit Explorations, we require at least 1 adult chaperone for 10 students. Chaperones must stay with their students for the duration of their program and museum visit. During Exhibit Explorations, chaperones should only be with students that are registered to participate in the program and not supervising any additional students or siblings.  

How can I receive more information about my scheduled program?  
One month prior to your program, you will receive an email with our full confirmation materials, which include the program meeting location, the timeline for your program, EE Explorations Chaperone Guide, and a Museum Map.

Does the museum have storage or lockers for bags or jackets? 
The museum does not have a coat check, storage, or lockers available. Students and chaperones are encouraged to travel as lightly as possible, and to not bring large bags, backpacks, or suitcases to the museum. Any bags or jackets must be worn or carried for the duration of the program and visit.

What if my desired date is waitlisted? 
We encourage you to register your group for the waitlisted program slot. You will only be contacted if we are able to move your group off of the waitlist.  

Please visit our Group Visits & Field Trips page for answers to more general questions: 
https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/group-visits-field-trips  

Registration

Registration is open. Register for an Exhibit Explorations program. 

Questions?

Email us at NMNHschoolprograms@si.edu or call 202-633-4039 for more information.