Spend a week of your summer at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Through games, activities, and observation in the galleries, students will learn while having fun. Each session meets Monday-Friday from 9:30am-12pm for a week in the summer.

Scientific Investigations

For students who completed grades 3–5

July 12–16, 9:30 am to noon

Get your hands dirty and your mind working. Join us for in-depth, hands-on explorations of the natural world including owl pellet dissections, experiments with live invertebrates, and assembling a skeleton.

Earth Explorers

For students who completed grades K–2

July 19–23, 9:30 am to noon

Our planet is an exciting place. Explore geology and paleontology using the museum’s collection and exhibits. Study rocks, fossils, volcanoes and more through experiments, specimens, stories, and crafts.

Under the Sea

For students who completed grades 3–5

July 19–23, 9:30 am to noon

Study ocean animals, from sea sponges to sperm whales, sharks to spider crabs. What behaviors and body parts do these animals use to survive? We’ll use live animals, real specimens, and the galleries to follow our questions.

Nature's Mysteries

For students who completed preschool (Ages 4-5 with one adult)

July 26–30, 9:30 am to noon

How do frogs eat? How do snakes slither? Together, children and adults will answer questions like these and explore nature. We’ll practice observation skills with live animals, explore the galleries, study touchable specimens, play games, and make crafts.

Under the Sea

For students who completed grades K–2

July 26–30, 9:30 am to noon

Look under the sea at a range of animals including sharks, horseshoe crabs, whales, and sea urchins. How do they live in a watery environment? Touch live animals, study real specimens, and the explore the galleries to follow our questions.

Nature's Design

For students who completed grades 1–3

August 2–6, 9:30 am to noon

Come observe the amazing artwork of nature in living animals and preserved specimens. Create your own superbug, build a fossil bed and explore the science of photography in this art and science oriented program.

The Art of Animal Drawing

For students who completed grades 4–8

August 2–6, 9:30 am to noon

How can movies like Monsters Inc. make imaginary creatures seem so real? Illustrators and animators spend time observing and drawing the world around them. We'll develop drawing skills by observing animals and then use those skills to design our own imaginary creatures.

Each session $150 for non-members or $135 for museum members.