Have the Virginia Living Museum Visit You
Outreach programs are specially designed, SOL-correlated presentations in your school classroom or auditorium. A Virginia Living Museum educator will introduce your class to a variety of science topics through the use of live ambassador animals, museum artifacts, and active student participation in an exciting ‘hands-on’ format. Programs are specifically designed to function as both an introduction to SOL topics and as reinforcement of previously taught science concepts.
For more information or to make a reservation, call the Reservations Coordinator at 757-534-7410 Monday-Friday, 9am – 4:30pm or complete the reservation request form.
Funded in part by TowneBank.
School Outreach Programs Grades PreK – 5
Length of Program: PreK – 20 minutes; K – 30 minutes; Grade 1 and up – 45 minutes
Number of Students: 30
Program Fee: $250 first program; $220 additional programs
Assembly Program Fee: $350 first program; $295 additional programs (90 students max)
Travel fee may apply.
Curious Critters (PreK-5th)
Building Blocks 1, 5; Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.7, 1.1, 1.5, 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1
Meet a variety of animal critters and discover their role in the ecosystem.
Food Chain Connections (K-5th)
Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.7, 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1
Let’s start at the bottom of the food chain. Together we’ll work to make a food web and discuss why different animals eat different things.
Let’s Be A Scientist (K-5th)
Science SOLs: K.1, K.5, K.7, 1.1, 1.5, 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 3.5, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1
Develop science skills like observing, predicting, classifying, interpreting, and measuring while learning how wildlife biologists use these skills to protect sea turtle populations.
Wild Adaptations (K-5th)
Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.7, 1.1, 1.5, 1.7, 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1
Uncover how wild animals survive through hands-on activities that demonstrate their structural and behavioral adaptations.
Energy is Everywhere (5th)
Science SOLs: 5.1, 5.9
Explore renewable and non-renewable energy sources and discover why conserving energy is important.
Amazing Animal Adaptations (Grade 3-12)
Science SOLs: 3.1, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 6.1, LS.6, LS.7, LS.11, BIO.6
Meet a variety of live animals and explore biofacts to learn how animals locate food, escape predators, and survive in the wild.
Public Outreach
We’ll come TO YOU with live ambassador animals. The programs below are particularly appropriate for libraries, organizations, church groups, retirement centers, and nursing homes. Several programs are also available to schools, PTAs, and day care centers in the evening or on the weekend (depending on staff availability).
For more information or to make a reservation, call the Reservations office at 757-534-7410 Monday-Friday, 9am – 4:30pm or complete the online request form.
VLM’s Mini Museum
Now you can bring the Virginia Living Museum to your next event. Well, maybe not the whole Museum, but a VLM educator, a table full of engaging hands-on Museum specimens, and even a live ambassador animal is certainly the next best thing! Tell us about your event and we’ll be happy to design an amazing “mini museum” just for you and your group.
Fee: $250 for first hour; $200 per additional hour. Add on a 20-minute live ambassador animal encounter during the mini museum – up to three animals, $50 per animal.
Animal Friends
Explore some amazing ambassador animals through a close-up encounter. Learn about what makes them unique, discover their individual stories, and find ways we can best protect their wild counterparts.
Length of Program: 45 minutes
Fee: $250 per program
Mother Nature’s Road Show
Enhance your activities for children, families, scouts, and senior citizens with a visit from the Virginia Living Museum. We will come to your library, day care facility, retirement community, church, or camp to add live animals and involve your clients in an educational and fun program.
Length of Program: 40 minutes; 20 minutes for PreK
Fee: $250 per program; Travel fee may be required for programs outside the Tidewater area.
Programming Options For June 10, 2023 – June 7, 2024:
Community Conservation
Discover the amazing wildlife that helps our community everyday! Learn from our animal ambassadors on their important roles in our ecosystems and how we can work together to make the world a better place for animals.
Noisy Nature
Did you hear that? Listen carefully and discover the sounds of different habitats while meeting the unique animals that live there.
Programming Options for June 8, 2024 – June 7, 2025:
Nature Detectives (For Toddlers and Preschoolers)
Little scientists will be introduced to nature through a hands-on sensory adventure. Participants will grow a love and appreciation for the outdoors as they explore the sounds, textures, and colors of nature and meet a live ambassador animal.
Caring for Critters (School-aged and up)
Discover the diverse needs of different animals and learn how humans impact animal habitats. Participants will learn how we care for our museum’s animals and how to be a better neighbor to our wild friends.