Partners in Science

The Bruce Museum

The Bruce Museum is an educational institution which, through its varied exhibitions and collections in the arts and sciences, provides programs for diverse audiences. Programs feature inquiry-based learning, hands-on activities with Museum objects, and connections to school curricula, interdisciplinary connections, and attention to varied learning styles. Programs promote critical thinking, visual literacy, and oral expression. The Museum has a Seaside Center that includes: a touch tank, coloring area, weekly activities, and weekly guided walks. These activities are open to visitors during Seaside Center hours with no advanced reservations. The Museum Exhibition Highlights include minerals from around the world, touchable meteorite, minerals that glow in the "dark", recreation of a local archaeological dig, fossils (including Connecticut River Valley dinosaur tracks), a northeast woodland wigwam where you can listen to Native American stories, live animal marine tank, and a fifteen-foot long woodland wildlife diorama with changing sounds as day goes to night. There are many science programs that meet the Connecticut Framework goals offered for different grade levels.

The Museum also has the Brucemobile Outreach Programs for School and After-School. The Brucemobile is an educational outreach program that travels to classrooms, like a field trip in reverse. Brucemobile Programs are developmentally appropriate, interactive, hands-on/minds-on, and inquiry-based. All Brucemobile Programs feature Museum objects. Some Brucemobile Programs also include small craft projects, songs, stories, and games Programs are offered to schools within a 25-mile radius of the Museum.

Teacher Preparation
Activities and Lesson Plans relating to the Museum exhibits can be downloaded School groups of 8 or more require advance reservations and are subject to a special group fee. Museum-Based School programs are available Tuesday through Friday at 10:00 am, 11:15 am, and 1:00 pm Supervision: REQUIRED for all programs Museum visit: 1 adult for every 5 children, to accompany the children at all times. All of the programs are flexible and can be adapted to audiences with special needs or to curriculum objectives. Please discuss with the Museum Education staff in advance.

For more information about Museum-Based Programs please contact Jennifer Beradino, Manager of School and Tour Services, JBeradino@brucemuseum.org or (203) 869-6786, ext. 324. When calling, please be prepared to give the following information:

• Your name / School name
• School address
• School phone number / Your home phone number
• Program Titles / Grade level of students
• Class size
• Special needs, if any
• Preferred dates and times

Groups of 8 or more require advance reservations. Call Bruce Museum Reservations Manager, Anne Burns, at 203-869-6786 ext.338. You may leave a voicemail message at this number at any time. Please leave a choice of two alternate dates and times to return your call.
http://www.brucemuseum.org/education/teachers_activities.php
Museum Hours
Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm
Last admission 4:30pm
Closed Monday and major holidays

The Bruce Museum is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

To view aligned field trips at The Bruce Museum, visit our
Science Framework Resources Database