Availability

The Martinsville-Southside programs are currently conducted in the following locales:

• Danville City
• Floyd County
• Franklin County
• Halifax County
• Henry County
• Martinsville City
• Mecklenburg County
• Patrick County
• Pittsylvania County
• Roanoke City
• Roanoke County
• Salem 

Please, call 276-634-4185 or e-mail discover@vmnh.virginia.gov to schedule a program. If you don't see a program listed below that suits your needs, we would be happy to customize or develop one for you!

Program Listings

Dinodays
Pre-K – Grades 3

How do you explain the concept of a 4.6 billion-year-old earth?  We will do it for you!  By taking a one day “trip” through time, students will find out where plants and animals fit into Earth’s history. 

• Virginia Science SOLs: K.6, K.9, 1.5, 1.7, 2.5, 2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.10
• North Carolina SCS: K:1.01, K:1.02, K:3.05, 1:1.01, 1:1.02

Virginia Indians 
Kindergarten - Grades 2, 4, 5, and 8

Students will examine artifacts and reproductions to get a glimpse of the Virginia Indians lifestyle before colonization.  Students will be challenged to figure out how the Indians used these tools and weapons to meet their daily needs of food, water, and shelter.

• Virginia History and Social Science SOLs: K.1, K.2, 1.6, 2.2, 2.4, VS.1, VS.2, USI.3, WH1.2
• North Carolina SCS: K:1.05, K:3.02, K:5.05, 1:3.03, 2:3.03, 2:3.06, 2:4.03, 2:5.06, 2:6.02, 3:2.01, 3:2.03, 4:2.01, 5:1.06, 5:3.01

I-mail: Messages about Insects
Grades 2 – 7

Get up-close and personal with several specimens of moths, butterflies, and beetles!  Students will explore the world of insects as they learn about life cycles, food webs, adaptations, and interdependencies.

• Virginia Science SOLs: 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 3.10, 4.5, 4.8, 5.5, 6.8, 6.9, LS.4, LS.5, LS.7, LS.8, LS.9
• North Carolina SCS: 2:1.01, 2:1.02, 2:1.03, 2:1.04, 4:1.01, 4:1.04

Endangered Species Feud
Grades 3 – 7

Your students can test their knowledge of Virginia’s endangered species through this nationally acclaimed program presented in an exciting game show format.

• Virginia Science SOLs: 3.4, 3.6, 3.10, 4.5, 4.8, 6.9, LS.4, LS.9, LS.12
• North Carolina SCS: 4:1.01, 4:1.04, 4:1.05, 5:1.06, 6:3.08, 6:7.03

Diving Into Oceans  
Kindergarten – Grade 5

Take a journey to another world to find out about the mysteries of the deep.  See various marine specimens to explore the diversity of marine life through adaptations, food webs, the ocean’s zones, and the causes and effects of pollution. 

• Virginia Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, 1.5, 1.8, 2.5, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.10, 4.5, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7
• North Carolina SCS: K:1.01, K:3.03, K:3.05, 1:1.02, 1:1.04, 1:1.05, 4:1.01, 4:1.02, 4:1.03, 5:1.01, 5:1.02, 5:1.03, 5:1.05, 5:1.06

Marvelous Magnets
Kindergarten and Grade 2

Meet Madam Magenta as she reveals some of the mysteries of magnets.  She will guide student teams as they conduct simple experiments to learn about magnet fields, poles, attraction, and the uses of magnets. 

• Virginia Science SOLs: K.1, K.3, 2.1, 2.2
• North Carolina CSC: K:3.01, K:3.04, K: 4.01, K:4.02, K:4.03, 1:4.02, 4:3.01

Water Fun 
Kindergarten

Students will discover different properties of water in this fun program.

• Virginia Science SOL: K.5
• North Carolina SCS: 1:3.04, 1:3.05

Common Water
Grade 1

Students will learn about water use in their community during this highly interactive Project WET game.

• Virginia Science SOL: 1.8
• History and Social Science SOLs: 1.7, 1.10 d
• North Carolina SCS: K:3.03, K:5.03, K:5.05, K:6.01, K:6.05, 1:3.03, 1:3.04, 1:6.01, 1:6.04

Incredible Journey
Grade 2

Students will learn about the water cycle as they “become” water droplets in this highly interactive Project WET game. 

• Virginia Science SOLs: 2.3, 2.6
• North Carolina SCS: 5:2.02, 5:3.01

Wonderful Wetlands
Grade 3

Students role-play to find out how organisms adapt to life in a salt marsh. 

• Virginia Science SOLs: 3.5, 3.6
• North Carolina SCS: 4:1.01, 4:1.02, 4:1.03, 4:1.04, 5:1.01, 5:1.02, 5:1.03, 5:1.05, 5:1.06

Ready to Recycle
Kindergarten – Grade 2

Students listen to a story about Henry the Heron to discover the hazards of litter and play a matching game to learn about recycling.  To emphasize the “three R’s,” students decorate and take home their very own recycled kazoo.

• Virginia Science SOLs: K.10, 1.8
• History and Social Science SOLs: 2.9
• North Carolina SCS: K:3.01, K:3.04, K:3.05, 3:2.05

Awesome Autumn
Kindergarten - Grade 3

Fall means change!  See and touch interesting specimens to find out how plants and animals transform to prepare themselves for the cold winter months.

• Virginia Science SOLs: K.1, K.4, K.6, K.8, 1.1, 1.5, 1.7, 2.1, 2.5, 2.7, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8
• North Carolina SCS: K:1.01, K:1.02, K:1.03, K:3.05, 1:1.01, 1:1.02, 1:1.04, 2:2.06, 4:1.01

Pondering Plants
Kindergarten - Grade 4

Children listen to a lively Dr. Seuss story that explains the importance of plants.  Learn about plant parts, functions, and products.  Next, students will become actors as they learn about various pollinators, methods of seed dispersal, and the plant life cycle. 

• Virginia Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.8, K.9, 1.4, 1.7, 2.1, 2.4, 2.8, 3.8, 4.4, 4.5
• North Carolina SCS: 1:1.01, 3:1.03, 3:1.04, 3:1.05

Backboned Seven: Vertebrates of Virginia
Grades 3 – 7

The seven classes of vertebrates are brought to life in this program using pictures and various interesting specimens.  Hands-on activities explain species characteristics for each class.

• Virginia Science SOLs: 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.5, 4.8, 5.5, 6.8, 6.9, LS.4, LS.5, LS.6, LS.7, LS.9
• North Carolina SCS: 4:1.01, 4:1.02, 4:1.03

Fantastic Food Chains
Grades 1 – 7

Explore food chain basics and the interconnections between organisms and the environment.  Learn about the amazing adaptations of the often misunderstood owl.  Recognize how human influences can affect the survival of species through an interactive hands-on game about a local forest food chain. 

• Virginia Science SOLs: 1.1, 1.5, 2.5, 2.8, 3.5, 3.10, 4.5, 6.9, LS.7, LS.12
• North Carolina SCS: 1:1.02, 1:1.04, 4:1.01, 4:1.03, 4:4.01, 5:1.01, 5:1.02, 5:1.05, 5:1.06

It Matters
Grade 2

Students learn about the properties of solids, liquids, and gases through hands-on experiments.  Students will participate in a game to learn about the movement of molecules as the states of matter transform by evaporation, condensation, melting, and freezing.

• Virginia Science SOL: 2.3
• North Carolina SCS: 1:3.01, 1:3.02, 1:3.03, 1:3.04, 2:3.01, 2:3.02, 2:3.04

Exploring Nature at Fairy Stone State Park
Pre-K - Grade 7

Enjoy a unique experience in the outdoors at Fairy Stone State Park with a VMNH educator.  Designed on Science SOLs for each grade level, students will enjoy hands-on activities and a spontaneous exploration of whatever nature presents on this three-hour excursion.  The trip is recommended for September, October, April, May, and June.

Hooray for Habitats
Grade 2

In this program, students discover the differences and similarities of the river and temperate forest habitats.  By observing river and forest animal specimens, students learn about the adaptations needed to survive in both of these local habitats.

• Virginia Science SOL: 2.5
• North Carolina SCS: 1:1.02, 1:1.04, 4:1.01, 4:1.02, 4:1.03, 5:1.01, 5:1.03, 5:1.05, 5:1.06

Kingdoms and Keys
Grade 5

The world may seem haphazard, but it is organized in many ways.  By exploring the characteristics of the five kingdoms, students will discover how scientists’ organize living things.  Hands-on activities help students understand how to classify and how to use a basic dichotomous key.

• Virginia Science SOLs: 5.1 a, 5.5
• North Carolina Science SCS: BIO 4.01; AP BIO 6.03

Rainforest Ramble
Kindergarten – Grade 4

Meet Ipyana Iguana, Tula Tarantula, Ruiz the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, and other rainforest animals during this exciting puppet show. Learn about the many rainforest products we use in everyday life. Find out how the animals and plants of the rainforest adapt to this humid and rainy habitat.

• Virginia Science SOLs: K.6; 1.4; 1.5; 2.5; 2.8; 3.4; 3.5; 3.6; 4.5
• North Carolina SCS: K:1.01, K:1.02, K:1.03, K:1.05, K:3.05, 1:1.01, 1:1.02, 1:1.05, 4:.01, 4:1.02, 4:1.03, 4:1.04, 5:1.01, 5:1.02, 5:1.03, 5:1.04, 5:1.05, 5:1.06

Rainforest Quest
Grade 7 and 10

This activity from the Jason XV Rainforests at the Crossroads Project will expose students to interactions of populations in the community.  In teams, students will play a game to understand how plants defend themselves against insects and why some of these defenses are valuable to people.

• Virginia Science SOLs: LS.9, LS.10, BIO 8, BIO 9
• North Carolina SCS: BIO 1.01 - 1.03; 5.01

Outreach and at the Museum Programs

The following programs are offered both in the classroom and at the Museum.

Digging In
Grades K – 4, ES

Students discover the properties and types of soil, its relationship to plant growth, and the animals that thrive in the dirt.

• Virginia Science SOL: K.10, 1.8, 2.8, 3.7, 4.1, 4.8, ES.7
• North Carolina Science SCS: 3:2.01 - 2.06; 6: 3.05, 3.06, 4.02, 7.02; ENV: 4.01

Getting to Know Your Watershed
Grades 3 – ES

Students explore the importance of watershed health and the effects of erosion with hands-on outdoor activities and games.

• Virginia Science SOL: 3.7, 3.9, 3.10, 4.5, 4.8, 5.7, 6.5, 6.7, LS.7, LS.10, LS.11, LS.12, ES.9
• North Carolina Science SCS: 4:1.04, 5:1.05, 1.06, 2.02, 2.07; 6: 3.06, 3.08; 8: 3.02, 3.07, 3.08, ENV: 4.01, 4.04, 4.05

Orienteering
Grades 3 – WG

Students explore various types and features of maps, and then learn to use a compass and GPS (Global Positioning System).

• Virginia Science SOL: ES.1, ES.3.
  History: 3.5, 3.6, WG.1.
  Computer-Technology: 3-5.2, 6-8.8.
  Physical Education: 7.1, 8.2
• North Carolina Science SCS: ENV: 1.03, 2.05.
  Social Studies: 3: 4.01-03, 4:1.01, 5: 1.01.
  GEO: 3.01, 3.02, SSSC: 3.01

How Far Can You Go?
Grades 4 – 8

Students use their jump rope expertise to sharpen their skills in gathering data to construct and interpret graphs.

• Virginia Science SOL: 6.1
  VA Math SOL: 4.1, 5.1, 6.10, 6.18, 7.18, 8.12, 8.14, 8.18
• North Carolina Science SCS: 6:1.04, 6:1.05, 6:1.06, 7: 1.04, 7:1.05, 7:1.06, 7:1.08, 8:1.02, 8:1.04, 8:1.05, 8:1.06, 8:1.08.
  Math SCS: 4:4.01, 4:5.01, 5:4.01, 6:2.01, 7:4.01, 8:4.01

Art: More than Colors and Shapes
Grades 4 – 8

Students create artwork based on two influential 20th century artists and discover key art components such as symmetry, translations, and
tessellations.

• Virginia Math SOL: 5.15, 7.10, 8.8.
  Visual Arts SOL: 7.16, 8.15
• North Carolina Visual Arts SCS: 7:5.04, 8:5.03
  Math SCS: 4:3.03, 6:3.03

Woods World
Grades 4 – 10

Students use a dichotomous key to identify trees and play a relay game to test their knowledge.

• Virginia Science SOL: 4.4, 4.8, LS.5, LS.6, BIO.7
• North Carolina Science SCS: 5: 1.02 – 1.07, 6: 4.03, 4.04; BIO: 4.01, 4.02

Stream Study
Grades 4 – BIO

Students become stream scientists in this activity as they learn how to test water quality and understand how water chemistry affects organisms that live in our rivers and streams.

• Virginia Science SOL: 4.1, 4.5, 4.9, 5.1, 6.1, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, LS.1, ES.9, BIO.1, BIO.3, BIO.9.
  Computer-Technology: 6-8.6
• North Carolina Science SCS: 6: 1.03, 1.05, 1.06, 1.09, 7.02, 7.03; 7:1.03, 1.05, 1.06; 8:3.05, 3.07, 3.08, BIO: 5.03, ENV: 1.02, 1.04, 1.06, 4.01, 4.04, 4.05

I Love Oobleck
Grades 5, 6 and 8

Students practice measuring skills by creating a mystery substance to investigate the states of matter.

• Virginia Science SOL: 5.4, 6.4, PS.1, PS.2.
  Math SOL: 5.1, 6.10
• North Carolina Science SCS: 6:1.06, 8:1.06, 8:1.08

Future Forecasters
Grades 5 – 9

Students discover the science that allows people to predict the weather through hands-on experiments and data collection.

• Virginia Science SOL: 5.1, 6.1, 6.3, 6.6, PS.7, ES.1, ES.13. Computer-Technology: 3-5.6, 6-8.6, 6-8.8
• North Carolina Science SCS: 7: 1.05, 1.06, 3.01-3.06; 8: 1.05, 1.06; ENV: 1.02, 1.03, 5.01- 5.03

That’s So Dense
Grades 6 – 8

Students analyze the properties of matter and the concept of density.

• Virginia Science SOL: 6.4, PS.2.
  Math SOL: 6.10
• North Carolina Science SCS: 8:3.01, 8:4.05, PS 5.03

It’s Quite Simple
Grades 6 – 8

Students explore the use of simple machines such as a lever and wheel and axle to observe how friction affects speed.

• Virginia Science SOL: 6.3, PS. 1, PS.10.
  Math SOL: 6.10
• North Carolina Science SCS: 7:6.01, 7:6.02, 7:6.03, 7:6.05