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 engages participants through hands-on experiences. Our programs will allow your group to explore our planet’s history with hands-on activities, inquiry-based learning and digital slides. Each participant will also receive their own identified and labeled Devonian fossil.
Outreach Pricing
— Daytime —
$100 per program
$90 per additional program on the same day
— Evening —
Start time of 5 PM or later
$125 per program
$115 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
Our most popular program! In this interactive lesson, participants will learn the basics of fossils and fossilization. Participants will become paleontologists and have first-hand experience with fossils commonly found around WNY. Your group will use deductive reasoning to understand extinct animals and infer prehistoric environments from the fossils.
Paleo Art
Use the fossils of Penn Dixie as clues to construct the past while creating an ancient environment! This science/art lesson will have 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 creative license as we draw these prehistoric creatures.
Fossils, Fossils Everywhere!
What are fossils? What can fossils tell us about the creatures that lived long ago? What did they eat? How did they live? Become a paleontologist and examine the fossils of plants and animals that lived long ago.
Dinos
Although no dinosaur fossils are found at Penn Dixie we can still have fun learning about them! Discover what it takes to be a real paleontologist, from the field to the laboratory. Participants will get their hands on some real dino 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.