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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
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Plan a Field Trip

At a Glance

  • Self-guided activities for all visitors during Open Hours.
  • Programs for Grades 4-12
  • School program reservations required three weeks in advance

Resources:

The Forensic Anthropology Lab is part of the temporary exhibition Written in Bone.

In the Lab, students will learn that forensic science is far more mysterious and engaging than forensic fiction. They will use real human bones to identify and describe the gender and status of people from the past and draw conclusions about their lives. The focus of the Lab programs is to help students to use the tools and problem solving skills of forensic anthropology to collect and analyze data the way that forensic anthropologists do.

**Update**
School programs begin Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Register online.

Homeschool Registration is now open.  Please see the Homeschool Days section below for information and to access the link to online registration.

Logistics for School Programs

  • Capacity: Minimum of 15 students per class is required. Maximum number is 30 per class; two back-to-back classes are available.
  • Days: During the school year through late May on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, beginning promptly at 10:15. For back-to-back classes, the second class will begin at 11:30.
  • Length: Classes are 60 minutes.
  • Chaperones Required: 1 per ten students.
  • Accommodations: We are able to accommodate most students with special needs. Please call for details: 202-633-1078

Program Descriptions and Lesson Plans

All listed programs and lesson plans accomodate grades 4-12: basic lesson plans are for grades 4-6, intermediate are for grades 7-9, and advanced are for grades 10-12. Click the program names for a description of the activities.

Name Lesson Plans

Mystery at Yorktown Creek

 Basic
Intermediate
Advanced
   

A "Grizzly" Discovery

 Basic
Intermediate
Advanced
   

Criminal or Collector?

 Basic
Intermediate
Advanced

 

Homeschool Days and Logistics

**Update**
Homeschool days will begin in November, and online registration is now available.

On the first Monday of every month, students in homeschools can participate in one of the three staff-led lessons available in the Lab. Lessons will rotate on a monthly basis, posted one month in advance. See lesson descriptions above.

60 minute programs are at 10:15 and 11:30; online registration required. Students can be in family groups or organized home school groups and can be in a variety of grade ranges between 4th and 12th grade. Please include your child's grade in the comments section on the form.

Please call 202-633-1078 with additional questions about programs or logistics.

Dates and Lessons for Homeschool Days:

  • November 7th - Mystery at Yorktown Creek
  • December 5th - A Grizzly Discovery
  • January 9th - Criminal or Collector?
  • February 6th - Who is Buried in the Brick-lined Grave?
  • March 5th - Mystery at Yorktown Creek
  • April 9th - A Grizzly Discovery
  • May 7th - Criminal or Collector?

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