Our goal for programming at the CSMNH is to enhance people's understanding of both natural and cultural history. We strive to develop engaging learning opportunities that showcase research, scholarship, and creativity for audiences of all ages, at the university and across the broader public.

The Museum's programs and events include field-learning activities, workshops, lectures, community outreach, and special events.

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:

There are currently no workshops scheduled.

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:

All About Mosses with Bernard Goffinet, Saturday, 20 September 2025.

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:

The CSMNH is a co-sponsor of the Edwin Way Teale Lecture Series "Nature and the Environment". All lectures are free, open to the public, and unless otherwise noted held at 4 p.m. in the Konover Auditorium at the Dodd Center for Human Rights at UConn’s main campus in Storrs.

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 and special events:

The CSMNH will be doing a special plant pressing and nature journal activity with the Mansfield Public Library at their Thursday August 7 Teen Night from 6-7pm. More details can be found on their website.

We will be attending the Tolland County 4-H Fair, talking about waterfowl and showing specimens.

UConn students are invited to come see us at the UConn Fall Involvement Fair on Wednesday September 3 on Fairfield Way.

We'll be celebrating all things Mansfield with a booth at Downtown Storrs' Celebrate Mansfield Festival. We'll also be working with the Ballard Museum and Institute of Puppetry on puppets for their annual festival pageant - stay tuned for more info about free puppet making workshops with the BIMP!

In October, we'll be exploring Connecticut Archaeology with the Office of State Archaeology, the State Historic Preservation Office, and friends at Connecticut Archaeology Day on Saturday October 4.

To finish off the season, we'll be at Downtown Storrs' Winter Welcome Celebration.

More details about all programs will be coming as they are available!