- Roberson Museum and Science Center offers programming in Art, History and Science all year long for students from Preschool up through 12th grade. Programs may be mixedand matched to create a unique experience for your students.
- Click here for Scheduling Information
- Click here for pre and post visit materials for most of our programs
Academic Programs 2012-2013 School Year
TREASURES OF THE VAULT
Now through June 2014
Grades K-12
Discover many of Roberson’s museum objects brought up from our storage vault. Learn how they were acquired, how they are cared for and the relationships that develop between people and their local museums. This new exhibition will feature objects and artworks from ancient to modern times and provide diverse learning opportunities in artifact classification, conservation and descriptive writing.
THE CIVIL WAR
Now - Summer 2013
Grades 4 through 12
Explore the issues leading to the Civil War, the war itself and some of the changes in its aftermath. Voices and stories of local individuals representing the average soldier, women on the home front, politicians, minorities and ethnic groups will be used to illustrate these topics. Students will also explore how soldiers spent their downtime through replicas and documents.
NYS Standards: ELA 1, 3, 4; SS 1, 4, 5
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2012
November 26 – December 31 2012
Grades Pre-K through 12
This holiday season, discover the many ways people express their cultural heritage. Explore holiday traditions of several ethnic groups through exhibitions and programming including Roberson’s International Forest. Enjoy the magical Roberson Mansion, furnished and decorated for the season. A seasonal planetarium show will round out your visit.
Must be scheduled well in advance.
NY Standards: Arts 1, 2, 4; SS 2, 3; ELA 1, 4
PA Standards: A&H 9.2; H 8.3; 8.4
SEA MONSTERS: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE NEW!
October 2012
Grades 3-12
Bring marine reptiles and other creatures of the prehistoric world to life in this new interactive program. Be immersed in this world through our full-dome film, Sea Monsters. Students may also explore fossils and animal adaptations.
NEW! TRAINS: BUILDING A COMMUNITY, October 2012
Grades K-12
Through the experience of building their own city and exploring our newly expanded model train layout, students will learn about the social and physical aspects of a community. Included will be the components important for a safe, fun neighborhood in which to live.
IMAGINED FUTURES NEW!
February 2013
Grades 3-12
Art and Science have always created inspirations for futuristic thinking, so let your students’ imagination run wild with this program. Students will be immersed in works of modern art and participate in a short creative writing activity inspired by a piece. Explore the art of tessellations and learn about the fascination that the mystery of Mars holds in a special planetarium program.
Inter-Disciplinary Programs
IROQUOIS CULTURE
Grades 3 through 7
Discover the Iroquois, their culture, their relationship with the land and how European culture has impacted native peoples. Students create pinch pots and learn Native American constellation legends in the Planetarium.
(Also applies to Eastern Woodland tribes).
NY Standards: Arts 1- 4; ELA 1, 3, 4; SS 1-3; MS&T 4
PA Standards: H 8.1, 8.3; A&H 9.2; S&T 3.4; E&E 4.2, 4.4, 4.8
ANASTASIA and DNA EXTRACTION
Grade 6 through Adult
In this computer-interactive activity, students will learn about the Romanov family and meet Anna Anderson, who claimed to be the missing Anastasia Romanov. They will use forensic tools, including DNA analysis, to uncover the mystery of Anastasia. Students will also learn DNA extraction’s use in medical research, genetic engineering and its forensic applications. Finally, students extract DNA from a fruit sample.
NY Standards: MST 2, 4, 5, 7
PA Standards: S&T 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.7
Art Programs
ART a la CARTE
Grades K through Adult
Be inspired by Roberson’s collections and our permanent and temporary exhibitions. Using critical thinking skills, students may interpret works of art, create their own aesthetic response in the studio, sketch in the galleries or explore folk art. Choose from different art lesson combinations when you schedule the program.
NY Standards: ELA 1-4; Arts 1-4
PA Standards: A&H 9.1-4; RWSL 1.4-6
| Choice #’s | Program Name |
| 1. | Visual Thinking Strategies in the Gallery (Grades 2-Adult) |
| 2. | Sketching in the Galleries (Grades 2-Adult) |
| 3. | Printmaking Activity (Grades 2-Adult) |
| 4. | Tessellations (Grades 4-Adult) |
| 5. | A Closer Look at Folk Art (Grades 4-Adult) |
Local History Programs
LOCAL HISTORY a la CARTE
$200/class
Grades 4 through Adult
Explore our community’s evolution from prehistoric times to the present. Explore Broome County history with a timeline activity in the Visitor Center, visit our expanded model train layout, or local industrialization in our Factory assembly line activity. Choose from different history lessons when you schedule the program
NY Standards: Arts 1; CDOS 1, 2; ELA 1, 3, 4; MST 5; SS 1-5
PA Standards: H 8.1, 8.3; Eco 6.1, 6.4; RWSL 1.1, 1.2, 1.8; S&T 3.8; Geog 7.3
Listed below are choices of history activities and demonstrations for Roberson’s History a la Carte program. Please choose three activities from the following menu. (Additional choices can be added for an extra fee.) Please contact us if you have questions, (607) 772-0660 x 203.
| Choice #’s | Program Name |
| 1. | Factory (Grades 4–Adult) |
| 2. | Local History Scavenger Hunt (Grades 4–Adult) |
| 3. | Immigration (Grades 4-Adult) |
| 4. | Coming January 2012: Expanded model Train layout (Grades 4-Adult) |
Science Programs
Many of the Science Programs below have different pricing due to materials required.
SCIENCE a la CARTE
Grades 1 through 8
Choose a science theme and customize your visit. Our menu of activities includes: Journey of a Water Molecule, Nocturnal Animals, Food Science, Polymers, Ecology, Environmental Science and more. Choose two different science lessons and a planetarium show when you schedule the program.
NY Standards: MS&T 1, 4, 6
PA Standards: S&T 3.1, 3.2
Please contact us if you have questions, (607) 772-0660 x 203.
| Choice #’s | Program Name |
| 1. | Mini-Microscopes (Grades K-2) or Dissecting and Compound Microscopes (Grades 3-8) |
| 2. | Lights and Spectrums (Grades 3-8) |
| 3. | Nocturnal Animals (Grades K-4) |
| 4. | Food Science (Grades 4-8) |
| 5. | Polymers (Grades 1-8) |
| 6. | Journey of a Water Molecule (Grades 2-Adult) |
| 7. | M&M Chromatography (Grades 1-8) |
| 8. | K’NEX in the Stars (Grades 2-5) |
| 9. | Enviroscapes (Grades 5-Adult) |
RIVER STUDIES: Offered only May through October
Grades 4 through 12
Discover the Chenango and Susquehanna River habitats by engaging in an intensive field study. Students collect specimens and water samples from the river. Students encounter an intensive field experience while enhancing their scientific skills.
NY Standards: MS&T 1, 3, 4, 6
PA Standards: S&T 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8
GEL ELECTROPHORESIS: DNA INVESTIGATIONS
Grades 9 through 12
A crime has occurred and your students have been called to solve the mystery. They will be given DNA samples of two suspects and DNA that was found at the crime scene. Your students will perform gel electrophoresis to compare the DNA samples and find the culprit.
NY Standards: MS&T 2, 4, 5, 7
PA Standards: S&T 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.7
Outreach Programs
INVESTIGATING PRIMARY SOURCES: MYSTERY OF THE MONTH
$200 for nine months of shipments
Grades 2 through 8
Your school receives a mysterious artifact once a month (September-May) for your classroom. Artifacts range from tools to toys and relate to American History. Each shipment includes a teacher’s guide and a context clue. This is a great way to get students excited about social history through hands-on observation.
NY Standards: ELA 1, 3, 4; SS 1
PA Standards: RWSL 1.6, 1.8; H 8.1
OUTREACH
Per student cost plus mileage
Grades K through 8
Can’t make it to Roberson? Bring Roberson to you! These new, interactive outreach programs provide unique learning experiences and allow students to explore hands-on science, history and art. Students may discover animal adaptations by studying taxidermy specimens, participate in magical science experiences, build steampunk scultptures, or explore antique objects and create a new use for them. For other topics and more information please contact Roberson.
Local Planetarium Programs
Planetarium programs can be booked separately for $140/class, ($5.60/student for groups larger than 25 with a maximum of 50).
Come experience the newly refurbished planetarium through updated programming. This digital system will allow students an up-close-and-personal journey through our solar system and provide a more concrete view of individual constellations.
Astronomy Presentations
Junior Astronauts
(K through 1)
An entertaining introduction for very young students to explore the night sky and discover how a planetarium works. Time permitting, an additional animated program may be included.
Celestial Tour
(Grades 2 and up)
View seasonal stars and constellations as well as a program based on a current space topic (such as the Hubble Space Telescope, Moons of Saturn, etc). Content varies dependent on age level.
Solar System Tour
(Grades 2 and up)
Travel the Solar System from the Sun to beyond Pluto. Content varies dependent on age level.
Two Small Pieces of Glass: the Magic of Telescopes
(Grades 2 and up)
Mission to Mars
(Grades 3 and up)
An excellent option for students who already have a general knowledge of our solar system. The red planet is now hosting a variety of missions and our planetarium is the perfect venue to share the latest findings.
Native Skies
(Grades 3 through 7)
Navigate the night sky with Native American lore, comparing indigenous constellation stories with those of Classical mythology.
Cultural Connections
(Grades 3 through 8)
The sky and the stars were of great importance to nearly every ancient civilization. Learn how the Norse, Egyptians, Incans, and other cultures interpreted the constellations.
Comprehensive Night Sky
(Grades 4 and up)
Viewing stars and constellations throughout each season of the year, students will learn how to read a sky map and learn some classic constellation stories. Star distance and color will also be investigated.
Earth Science Review
(Grades 8 and up)
An explanation of celestial coordinates, Sun and moon positions in the sky, Moon phases, and more. Content can be catered to students’ needs (call ext. 236 for requests).
All shows include a look at the night sky and may include newly discovered information. Updates from NASA are added monthly. Teachers can request a copy of the current sky map.
Non-Astronomy Presentations
SEA MONSTERS: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE NEW!
(Grades 3 and up)
Bring marine reptiles and other creatures of the prehistoric world to life in this new interactive program. Be immersed in this world through our full-dome film, Sea Monsters. Students may also explore fossils and animal adaptations.
