TEACHER RESOURCES
RELATED LINKS:
ENCOURAGE LEARNING
What can we learn from museums? Find out how to encourage learning.
EXHIBIT HALL RULES
To ensure that every museum patron can enjoy the museum, we request that you follow our Exhibit Hall Rules.
HANDOUTS
Facts about Nevada.
THE ANCIENT MAYA
Use our provided information to learn about the Maya.
THE SOUTHERN PAIUTE
Use our provided lessons to learn about the native americans.
WILDLIFE
Learn about this region's lizards, snakes and the desert tortoise.
Learn more about our FREE live animal demonstrations and snake feedings.
SELF GUIDED TOURS
Tours at the Museum are self guided. Activities should be planned prior to a visit to make the experience an educational one. There is no admission fee.
Museums are a wonderful meeting ground for the shared interests of schools and families. Field trips and family outings to museums enrich what your children are learning in school and help them link it to the larger world. Schools and teachers, through field trips and other activities, play an important role in introducing students to Museums and using them as learning resources. By working together, schools and families can help children make the most of visits to Museums. Here's how:
SCHOOL AND PARENT-TEACHER ORAGNIZATIONS CAN:
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Establish a parent committee to help plan field trips to museums.
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Research museums to find out permanent and temporary exhibition schedules, and how exhibition topics relate to the curriculum.
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Form partnerships with local museums to further engage children in learning both during and after school. Museum staff may be willing to visit classes, present workshops for teachers, answer student questions, help students create an in-school exhibition, and share their expertise in innovative ways.
TEACHERS CAN:
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Prepare family members to act as chaperones by telling them the purpose of the visit and how it relates to what their children are learning.
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Encourage families to participate in the planning of field trips. Interested parents can be asked to scout their local community for learning opportunities by identifying local collections, collectors, and researchers.
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Participate in local museum-sponsored workshops and programs for teachers that enhance the school curriculum. Use museum-prepared lessons and curricula in the classroom. Many museums have education departments or teacher services offices that sponsor workshops, offer free or low-cost materials such as posters, curriculum coordination information, brochures for chaperones, and audiovisual materials. Ask to be placed on their mailing lists.
BOOKING PROCEDURES
School tours are subject to the following guidelines:
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Reservations are required for all group visits of 15 or more. Space is limited, so please make your reservation as early as possible, preferably 2 weeks in advance, with confirmation by letter or by calling (702) 895-3381.
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Tour groups are limited to a maximum of 35 students. If your group is larger, special arrangements may be made.
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Tours are scheduled during the weekday between 9:00 am-3:00 pm. A time slot of 45 minutes is recommended for the best visit to the museum.
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Pre-highschool visitor groups are required to be chaperoned by one adult per every fifteen children. Adult supervisors are expected to remain with their group at all times during a museum visit. Museum staff cannot accept responsibility for supervising groups.
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Please make sure your group does not run inside the building. No food, drinks, backpacks or large bags are allowed in the exhibit areas.
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The museum can accommodate only a limited number of visitors at any given time. As a courtesy to other visitors, if you are unable to be here on your scheduled day, please notify the museum immediately to cancel or reschedule your visit. Your cooperation will enable us to accommodate another group in your place.
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There is a bus drop-off area directly in front of our north entrance. Buses can remain parked in the drop-off zone while your group is touring the facility.
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Metered public parking is avilable in the adjacent parking lot. See UNLV parking map.
For more information, or to schedule a tour, contact the museum at (702) 895-3381.
GET THE MOST FROM YOUR VISIT
Teachers should visit the museum before bringing their classes or talk to a museum staff member to get an understanding of the current exhibits. Helping students to understand exhibits is essential. Teachers should prepare students in advance for their visit. Focus your students on a few things that you select, relating to the work being done in the classroom and then provide suitable follow-up activities.
Formulate simple questions that encourage the use of observational skills that are independent of any prior knowledge about the content of the exhibit. Help your student use the exhibits effectively and then construct simple activities that you and your chaperones can use while viewing the museum. DON'T FORGET TO TOUR THE BEAUTIFUL XERISCAPE GARDEN.