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 no field learning activities scheduled at this time.

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:

There are currently no workshops scheduled.

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:

Natural History Collections for 21st-Century Research with Drs. Pam and Doug Soltis, Thursday April 17, 2025 at 3:30pm.

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. A link to this seasons poster and information for lectures in Spring 2025 are listed below.

View Teale Lecture Series Poster

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 is excited to be creating a vignette for the UConn Office of Sustainability's 4th annual Haunted HEEP this October 23rd!

We will also be attending the town of Mansfield's Winter Welcome on Saturday December 7th.

Details about both events can be found below.