With the goal of enhancing people’s understanding of natural and cultural history, the CSMNH develops and coordinates engaging learning opportunities that showcase research, scholarship, and creativity to various internal and external audiences. Our programs and events include: field-learning activities, workshops, lectures, and community outreach events.
Field-Learning Activities
Field-learning activities: Participants make field observations, test ideas, and use tools they may otherwise not have access to. Past field-learning activities include shoe-box archaeology digs, animal tracking tours, and bird walks.
Upcoming field-learning activities:
Forest in Bloom: Identifying, Collection & Pressing Tree Flowers with Dr. Sarah Taylor
UConn Arboretum Tour with Drs. Greg Anderson and Mark Brand
Workshops
Workshops: Museum workshops led by local experts offer hands-on learning activities to small groups of participants. Past workshops have focused on scientific illustration techniques and basic field archaeology methods and best practices.
Upcoming workshops:
Aquatic Insects of Connecticut – Fly Tying Workshop (details coming soon!)
Lectures
Lectures: Experts from diverse backgrounds, many recognized as leaders in their fields, share their knowledge with the public. Speakers explore contemporary issues and reveal ancient mysteries on varied topics. Recent past lectures have focused on taking local action to address climate change, the pre-agricultural origins of the UConn campus, and the story of Darwin’s fascination with orchids. In addition, the CSMNH co-sponsors the Edwin Way Teale Lecture Series, which brings leading scholars from around the world to UConn to present public lectures on nature and the environment six times each year.
Upcoming lectures:
There are currently no lectures scheduled.
Community Outreach Events
Community outreach events: These events involve the broader Connecticut community and help create awareness of and foster involvement in the CSMNH, emphasizing unique educational opportunities for the public at-large. Past community outreach events where the CSMNH has participated include the Connecticut Archaeology Fair, Willimantic's 3rd Thursday, Celebrate Mansfield Festival, UConn Extension’s Bug Week, and The Last Green Valley's Walktober.
Upcoming community outreach events:
There are currently no community outreach events scheduled. But look for the Museum at Willimantic's 3rd Thursday Street Festival this summer!
If you require an accommodation to attend any of our events, please contact the CSMNH at 860-486-4460 or CSMNHInfo@uconn.edu at least 5 days before the event.
Upcoming Events
FIELD LEARNING ACTIVITY
Forest in Bloom: Identifying, Collecting & Pressing Tree Flowers with Dr. Sarah Taylor
Saturday, 11 May 2024
10am-12pm
UConn Storrs
Join Dr. Sarah Taylor, Collection Manager for the George Safford Torrey Herbarium, on an early Spring hike to identify and collect specimens from blooming trees and learn how to press flowers in the field!
Dr. Taylor will discuss best practices for collecting and preserving tree flowers and will demonstrate how to press what you collect to make good scientific specimens. Flowering plants pressed during the hike will be added to the George Safford Torrey Herbarium’s collection.
*** Space is limited and registration is required! ***
$10 for Museum Members
$15 for non-Members
Participants aged 16 and under must be accompanied by a chaperone.
If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the CSMNH at 860-486-4460 or CSMNHinfo@uconn.edu by Monday, May 6.
This hike may be challenging for some and will include hilly areas and forays off trail to look for flowering trees. Sturdy footwear and long pants are recommended.
View and download press release
FIELD LEARNING ACTIVITY
UConn Arboretum Tour with Drs. Greg Anderson and Mark Brand
Saturday, 8 June 2024
10-11:30am
UConn Storrs
Join along on this beloved walking tour as Drs. Gregory Anderson and Mark Brand, co-chairs of the UConn Arboretum Committee, identify and share stories about some of the most unique and interesting trees at UConn Storrs!
Based on the concept of the “campus as arboretum,” the Arboretum Committee helps to protect, promote, catalogue, and manage the trees and shrubs across campus. Greg and Mark will identify and share stories about some of the campus’ most interesting trees.
*** Space is limited and registration is required! ***
$10 for Museum Members
$15 for non-Members
Participants aged 16 and under must be accompanied by a chaperone.
If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the CSMNH at 860-486-4460 or CSMNHinfo@uconn.edu by Monday, June 3.
This walk may be challenging for some. Although mostly on sidewalk, it will include some hilly areas and walking on grass to get a closer look at the trees. Sturdy footwear is recommended.