Education
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Youth & Family Programs
Register for Camps, Science Saturdays, Conservation Club, Exploration Station, Naturalist in Training, Preschool Curiosity Club
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School & Teacher Programs
Sign up for School Field Trips, Classoom Kits, LiMPETS, Watershed Guardians, Student Research Symposium, Teacher Workshops
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Adult Classes
Become a California Naturalist or a UC Climate Steward
School Programs
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Classroom Kits
Use the Museum’s Education Collection in your classroom! Outreach kits are free and designed to fit your curriculum. Take learning to a new level and let your students hold items like quartz crystals, model skulls, whale baleen, and furs. Kits include specimens, models, books, posters, and curriculum.
The following Classroom Kits are available for 2-week check out:
Cultures of Monterey Bay - Natural Resources of the Ohlone (1 week check out only), Cultures of Monterey Bay - Historic Chinese Fishing Villages, Skins, Skulls, and Scat, Rocks and Minerals, Coastal Ecology, Monarch Butterflies & Fossils.
C-MORE Science Kits
C-MORE Science Kits offer lesson plans and materials for hands-on science activities in a self-contained format. They are designed for use with a range of grade levels. Each kit provides the information and supplies necessary for educators to teach their students about a particular topic in oceanography.
Topics include: Marine Debris, Marine Mystery, Knots, Ocean Acidification, Ocean Conveyor Belt, Plankton, & Random Sampling.
Questions? Email Education@PGMuseum.org.
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LiMPETS (Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students) is an environmental monitoring and education program for students, educators, and volunteer groups. The LiMPETS network provides authentic, hands-on coastal monitoring experiences that empower teachers, students and the community to conduct real science and serve as ocean stewards.
The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History provides this program free of charge to Monterey County schools.
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Choose from field trips for your grade, and add a tour of the Monarch Sanctuary for your class.
Schedule a class field trip here.
Questions? Email Education@PGMuseum.org.
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Grades 6-12 teachers can support their students to participate in our annual Student Research Symposium.
Learn more and register for the symposium here.
Questions? Email Education@PGMuseum.org.
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Watershed Guardians is a free program that provides an opportunity for students in grades 6-12 to participate in project based learning by taking water quality data in their local watershed.
Upcoming Teacher Workshops
LiMPETS Sandy Beach Monitoring
Saturday, September 14 | 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
This workshop is for middle school and high school teachers that would like for their students to participate in LiMPETS Sandy Beach Monitoring. Through the workship teachers will:
Build understanding on mole crabs as a species indicating ecosystem health
Collaborate with other teachers to develop plans to incorporate LiMPETS field trip curriculum into existing, standards-based classroom curriculum
Gain valuable information on the logistics of the field trip and develop experience in using scientific tools and protocols in the field
There is a $30 deposit to register that will be refunded once you complete the workshop.
Teacher Open House and Celebration
Friday, September 20, 5:00-7:00pm
Calling all teachers! Bring your family and your colleagues and enjoy the Museum after hours. We will celebrate you with treats, games, prizes, and more. You will also have a chance to meet our educators and educators from other local environmental organizations to see what we have to offer schools this year. Admission is FREE for you and your family but please register so we can get a headcount. We look forward to seeing you there!
THIRD ANNUAL : April 2025
Student Research Symposium
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We are excited to invite teams of up to 5 students to apply and attend the third annual PG Museum Student Research Symposium. Students must be in grades 6-12, no more than 5 students in a group. More information to come in 2025.
A Student Research Symposium provides an opportunity for students to showcase their original research. The PG Museum SRS provides opportunities for students in grades 6-12 to showcase different levels of scientific inquiry. We will invite a panel of reviewers to provide feedback on projects, however, this is ultimately an event for students to learn through the experience of conducting an inquiry, analyzing the data and reporting on their findings.
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Display their research poster in the Museum for the general public, visiting scientists and a panel of reviewers
Be prepared to answer questions about their project for the reviewers
Learn about career opportunities in STEAM
Meet local scientists who are conducting local research
Participate in activities related to Watershed Guardians/LiMPETS
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Create a poster showcasing the students’ original research and data collection
Register — Registration opens January 2024
Return photo release to PG Museum via email to the address below.
Submit posters 12:00PM, April 14, 2024 via email to the address below.
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To access the resources below you will need to use the following username and password.
Username: WaterAdventurer03@globe.gov
Password: PGM2023!GLOBE Poster Template with Sentence Starters
GLOBE US Regional Symposia – Student Resources
GLOBE Peer Review Feedback Form
Posters will be printed by the Museum sized to 24x36 in
Adult Programs
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About
The California Naturalist course will introduce you to the wonders of our local ecology and engage you in the stewardship of California’s natural communities. The course will combine a science curriculum with guest lecturers, field trips, and project-based learning to immerse you in the natural world of Monterey County.
Registration
The next California Naturalist course will be offered in Spring 2025.
Registration Opens on January 1, 2025 for Museum members and January 8, 2025 for the general public.
California Naturalist Course Syllabus
Course format
The class will meet from 6:00-8:00 each Wednesday evening online and every other Saturday in-person at a different field site in Monterey County. The online classes involve guest speakers as well as group and individual work. Field trips involve hands-on learning in the field with a guest expert. Students will also participate in a group capstone project and will take part in at least one community science project.
Tuition
Tuition is $450. PGMNH Member receive a 10% discount. PGMNH volunteers and staff from partner organizations receive a 20% discount. We have a limited number of 50% discount scholarships for professionals working in environmental education or interpretation in the first 2 years of their career. For information on discounts and scholarships, email education@pgmuseum.org.
Cancellations
Registrants may cancel up to two weeks before the first day of instruction for a full refund, minus a $20 administrative fee. Registrants that cancel in the period two weeks of the beginning of instruction, up to 1 week after instruction has begun may re-enroll in the following year's course at a 50% discounted rate, with priority for early registration.
Cancellation at any other time will not result in a refund.
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Climate Stewards will return in 2025!
Youth & Family Programs
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Conservation Club promotes discovery and enjoyment of the natural world by encouraging curiosity, exploration, and fostering lifelong stewardship and advocacy to youth grades 3-8 and their families. Club meetings will focus on developing awareness of and appreciation for nature by exploring a topic from our local natural history with a science expert and then participating in a hands-on building project related to that topic.
Club members may be dropped off or, with a Family Membership, participate with their families. Families who have a Museum Family Membership may have up to 2 family members attend workshops and naturalist hikes with their registered Conservation Club member.
Conservation Club meets on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Upcoming Conservation Club meetings:
September 14th, 2024: Bird Bath Workshop
October 12th, 2024: Bat Boxes Workshop
November 9th, 2024: Naturalist Hike (location TBD)
Dec 14th, 2024: Native Plant Wreathmaking
Registration fee for Conservation Club member in grades 3-8 is $120 for the semester (3 workshops + naturalist hike).
Families with a family membership receive a $20 discount on each Conservation Club membership and are eligible to participate in club meetings with their club member (up to 2 family members per club member).
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Exploration Station is a free weekly interactive learning space for guests of all ages to engage in hands-on exploration and discovery. Here at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, education comes alive, and children of all ages are encouraged to chase their curiosities and explore their interests. Children and their families, teachers, and other caregivers are all welcome to enjoy this special space. The majority of our activities are designed for children PreK-8th grade, but we encourage people of all ages to explore our exhibits and experience the fun of learning.
Offered every weekend: (during normal days of operation)
Friday - Sunday
10:30 am - 11:30 am
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
For upcoming Exploration Stations visit our Events Calendar
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The Naturalists in Training is a year-long internship program for high school students. Interns participate in training on natural history, conservation, science education, and use their knowledge and skills to work with museum visitors.
Click here for more information on Naturalists in Training and to complete the application.
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Preschool Curiosity Club is where our youngest naturalists and their caregivers explore nature and conservation together. We meet at the Museum from 10-11 on the first Saturday of the month and at Locke Paddon Pond in Marina from 10-11 on the third Saturday of the month.
Children aged 3-5 can attend with an adult caregiver for FREE. This program is completely bilingual, and children will build science vocabulary in both Spanish and English while building school-readiness skills. Parents will learn new ways of exploring nature with their children and meet other families.
This FREE club is made possible by a generous grant from Pebble Beach Foundation.
Upcoming Club Meetings:
Saturday, September 7th – At the Museum: Plants and Animals
Saturday, September 21st – At Locke Paddon Park in Marina: Plants and Animals
Saturday, October 5th – At the Museum: Spooky Science
Saturday, October 19th – At Locke Paddon Park in Marina: Spooky Science
Saturday, November 2nd – At the Museum: Butterflies and Bees
Saturday, November 16th – At Locke Paddon Park in Marina: Butterflies and Bees
Saturday, December 7th – At the Museum: Wonders of Winter
Saturday, December 14th – At Locke Paddon Park in Marina: Wonders of Winter
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Admission is FREE!
Science Saturdays are help on the last Saturday of every month, during the academic year, from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Join in on themed activities, crafts, workshops, and lectures.
Upcoming Science Saturdays:
August 31st, 2024: Backyard Birds
September 28th, 2024: Biodiversity
October 26th, 2024: Spooky Science
November 30th, 2024: Monarchs and Pollinators
Day Camps & Summer Camps
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Item descriptiSummer camps are finished for the year and we want to thank all of our sponsors, camp families, volunteers, and NIT interns who made this year’s camps such a success! A special shout out to Montage Health Foundation for providing financial and training support for our camps.
Registration for 2025 summer camp will open in mid-February for family membership levels and above, and March 1 for the general public. Our first Day Camp for the 24-25 school year will be Veteran’s Day on Monday, November 11. Check back for more details.
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Item description
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We hope you’re able to come to camp, but if not, please reach out to us at the Education@PGMuseum.org or by calling/texting 831-282-2267. To receive a refund, cancellations must be made at least 2 weeks prior to the start of camp. All refunds/rescheduling is subject to a $25 administrative fee.
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You can do so at this link. Or by calling 831-648-5716
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Please contact us, and keep in mind it is very helpful if you provide a screenshot of any error message.
Email: education@pgmusem.org
Call/Text: 831-282-2267
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We do offer scholarships, though resources are limited. We will accommodate as many families as possible. Priority will be given to those who apply by March 31, 2024. Applicants will be notified by April 15 or within two weeks if applying after 4/1/2024.
Naturalists in Training
An internship for high school students
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The Naturalists in Training internship is a year-long program for high school students. Interns participate in training on natural history, conservation, science education, and use their knowledge and skills to work with museum visitors.
Questions? Email the Volunteer Coordinator.
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Participate in 2 required all-day training workshops.
Join ongoing training and enrichments throughout the summer and school year.
Obtain field experience with local community science programs.
Assist in one week of summer camp by helping to plan and lead science activities, art projects, games and more for one week of camp. Each NIT will be assigned to a different week.
Serve as a Naturalist in Training for 5 Museum shifts throughout the school year, like with Nature Exchange, Science Saturdays, and events.
Receive training from Museum educators plus mentoring, volunteer credits, and a stipend.
Gain new skills and experiences to add to a resume or college applications.
Questions? Email the Volunteer Coordinator.
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Any current high school student (9th-12th grade) may apply.
A Naturalist in Training needs to enjoy working with children and the public, have an appreciation for science and nature, and be willing to learn new things.
NITs are required to follow safety safety guidelines (including COVID), show up on-time, and prepared for trainings and volunteer shifts.
NITs must be available for:
— Two all-day trainings in late May/early June.
— At least 1 week of summer camp (June - July).
— Scheduled weekend volunteer shifts and enrichments throughout the school year (September - April).
Questions? Email the Volunteer Coordinator.
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Complete the application to apply or complete the form to be notified when applications are open for next year.
Questions? Email the Volunteer Coordinator.
Applications for the 2024 - 2025 school year are now closed.
We will open applications for the 2025-2026 internship in January 2025. If you would like to be alerted as soon as applications are open, leave your contact information using the form.
Museum Field Trips
The Museum provides a wide variety of free school educational programs during the school year aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards taught by our education staff.
These fun, hands-on learning in the Museum and/or virtual experiences are designed for elementary school students. Our programs last 30 minutes in the classroom followed by a chaperone-guided museum tour and scavenger hunt. We can accommodate two classes from the same school in a 1-hour time block, and require a 1:8 chaperone to student ratio.
Add a Monarch Sanctuary Field Trip (Nov - Feb)
Take a journey through the life of migrating monarchs with our incredible docents at the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary! During migration season (November-February), the Sanctuary can hold thousands of monarchs, and in the off season, is a great spot to learn about our local pollinators and food webs.
Located approximately 1 mile from the Museum, the Monarch Sanctuary is a great addition to any Museum field trip. Check the box on the reservation form to let us know you are interested in visiting the Sanctuary with your class in addition to the museum. The docent-led tour at the Sanctuary can accommodate up to 30 students for a half hour program.
The Museum is proud to offer free educational opportunities throughout Monterey County and beyond. To support these efforts, schools that are able should consider a donation of $1 per visiting student.
Field Trip Scheduling
Please select your field trip theme and make a booking using the form below. Your field trip is not confirmed until you receive confirmation from the Museum's Education Department. If you have any questions about a field trip or class program, please contact education@pgmuseum.org.