Can’t make it to Penn Dixie? We’ll bring the fossils to you! Penn Dixie offers interactive programs that explore the wonders of geology and paleontology, and engage participants through experiential learning. Each participant will also receive their own identified and labeled fossil.
Outreach Pricing
— Daytime —
$150 per program
$125 per additional program on the same day
— Evening —
Start time of 5 pm or later
$175 per program
$150 per additional program on the same evening
An additional mileage fee will be added for round trip travel.
Capacity & Program Length:
30 participants / 45-60 minutes
For groups over 30 participants but under 45 participants, an additional fee of $5 per person will be added. For groups with 45 or more participants an additional program will need to be booked.
Outreach Programs
Fossils: Clues to the Past
In this inquiry-based lesson, participants will learn the basics of fossils and fossilization. Participants will act as paleontologists and gain firsthand experience with fossils commonly found around WNY. Your group will use deductive reasoning to understand ancient animals and infer prehistoric environments from the fossils.
Paleo Art
In this lesson that combines science and art, participants will use the fossils of Penn Dixie as clues to construct the past while creating an artist’s view of an ancient environment. Participants infer what the animals at Penn Dixie may have looked like when they were alive based on what they know about today’s ocean animals. We’ll work together and use our imaginations as we draw these prehistoric creatures.
Fossils, Fossils Everywhere!
This program teaches about the amazing diversity of fossils, and the different ways in which they form. We will examine fossils from all over the world and learn how scientists categorize them to help us understand these discoveries better.
Dinos
Even though Penn Dixie does not have dinosaur fossils, it’s fun to expand our fossil knowledge to these “terrible lizards”! Discover what it takes to be a real paleontologist, from the field to the laboratory. Participants will see some real dinosaur specimens from our collection and get to take home a piece of history.
Dig In!
Attention teachers, activities directors, program coordinators, scout leaders, and more! Are you looking for some fossil fun during the colder months? Let us bring Penn Dixie to you with our newest outreach program, Dig In! During this outreach program, a Penn Dixie educator facilitates the hands-on exploration of WNY’s ancient environment while discussing the animals that lived in our area 380 million years ago during the Devonian Period. Participants will also learn the fundamentals of fossils and fossilization.
After Dig In is over, you keep reusable dig boxes full of rocks and fossils, along with teaching materials, so that you can recreate the fossil fun for years to come!
Dig In can be catered to explorers of all ages and abilities, but is recommended for ages 5+.
Full information and pricing for Dig In can be found here: https://penndixie.org/dig-in/
Astronomy Programs
See the stars with our trained astronomer(s) – our hit Stargazing in Hamburg program comes to you! Includes one telescope set up with necessary viewing attachments, 1 astronomer, and 1 educator for 2 hours for $250 (+ mileage). For an additional $50 create an astronomy themed make-and-take.
*Program can take place anytime of the year barring rain or cloud coverage. Outdoor area must be free of or have minimal light pollution and tree coverage to optimize field of view.
Use the form below to book an outreach program! Or you can email our science program coordinator Robin at robin@penndixie.org or call 716-627-4560, with questions or to book.
