Programs & Events

Arrow pointOur 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

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:

UConn Arboretum Tour with Eileen McHugh and friends

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:

Birds Up Close: Scientific Illustration Workshop with Virge Kask

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:

Periodic Table: The Elements Explained with Dr. Christian Brückner

A link to this season's Teale poster and information for lectures in Spring 2026 are listed below.

View Teale Lecture Series Poster

Community Outreach & Special 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 and special events:

Spring Break Family Fun: Caterpillars of Connecticut at the Mansfield Public Library

Save the date for our annual Museum Day this July - Big Birds!

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 & Related Events

Spring Event Details

SPECIAL EVENT

Caterpillars of Connecticut : School Vacation Activity for KidsPhotograph of a Pandora Sphinx moth caterpillar taken by Lisa King and accessed on Flickr. Creative Commons license Attribution 2.0.

Wednesday, 15 April 2026

2-4pm

Buchanan Auditorium, Mansfield Public Library, 54 Warrenville Rd, Mansfield Center

 

Caterpillars of Connecticut with the CSMNH

Ever wonder where those beautiful butterflies and moths in your garden come from? Learn how caterpillars create a chrysalis or cocoon, depending on whether they will become a butterfly or a moth. After observing real preserved specimens of caterpillars, moths, and butterflies, craft your own fluffy caterpillar to take home.

 

If you require any accommodations to participate in this event, please contact the CSMNH at 860-486-4460 or CSMNHinfo@uconn.edu.

 

The event is free and open to the public! 

 

FIELD LEARNING ACTIVITY

Spring Arboretum Tour

Saturday 6 June 2026

10am-12pm

UConn Storrs

The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History is excited to host our popular walking tour of the UConn Arboretum again this spring! Led by a knowledgeable team of experts from the UConn Arboretum Committee, this tour of some of the most interesting and diverse trees on campus promises to be both informative and engaging. Based on the concept of "the campus as arboretum," the UConn Arboretum Committee helps to protect, promote, catalogue, and manage the trees and shrubs across campus. 

The walk is primarily on sidewalks, with some hills and grassy areas. Participants aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Held rain or shine! In case of severe weather, walk will be cancelled and rescheduled to a later date.

Details regarding meet up location and parking will be sent the week before the event.

 

The event is free and open to the public! Registration is required and donations are appreciated, as they help us keep our public programs free! 

 

If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the Museum at 860-486-4460 or CSMNHinfo@uconn.edu

 

 

 

 

REGISTRATION FOR ARBORETUM TOUR

WORKSHOP

Scientific Illustration: Birds with Virge Kask

Saturday, 27 June 2026

William Benton Museum of Art, UConn Storrs

Join this hands-on, beginner-friendly session where you'll learn to observe bird anatomy, capture gesture and posture, and render feathers and beaks using pencil and tracing paper. Ms. Kask will teach the best techniques for conveying the essence of these captivating creatures and provide tips for drawing from mounts and live subjects.

 

The event is open to the public but registration is required!

$15 Museum Member/ $20 Non-Member, includes all supplies.

 

If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the Museum at 860-486-4460 or CSMNHinfo@uconn.edu

 

 

 

 

REGISTRATION FOR SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATION

SPECIAL EVENT

Big Bird Day!

Saturday, 18 July 2026

Gant Science Light Court, UConn Storrs

 

The Museum's annual Museum Day will be focusing on all things birds while highlighting our fantastic taxidermy collections. Check back here for more program information as it becomes available.