The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History opens a window of discovery into our world’s natural heritage–its flora, fauna, geology and people. Each year, the Yale Peabody Museum provides educational programs on biology, paleontology, geology, ancient civilizations, social studies and art to more than 25,000 visitors from throughout the Northeast, including elementary through college students and other private and community-based groups. All programs draw on the Museum’s exhibits to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of science and social studies education and most can be adapted to accommodate specific group needs as requested. Hands-on specimens are offered where possible. Educational resources and curricula for select programs are also available.
School Programs by Grade Level
School Programs at West Campus
Programs are offered at no charge to schools in the New Haven, Bridgeport, Orange, West Haven, Amity and Hartford public school districts, from September through March.
The Museum is available for self-guided visiting. Groups are expected to avoid areas where programs are in progress. Access to all halls is not guaranteed, and some exhibits, including dinosaur exhibits, may be closed when classes are scheduled. On almost every weekday morning during the spring the Peabody is very crowded with school groups. To maximize the ease of your visit during this time, please consider arriving after 1:00 pm on Monday through Friday. Groups are urged to visit during fall and winter to avoid the spring crowds. Call early to plan your trip!
All groups must have a reservation. You will receive a confirmation with directions, parking instructions, and chaperone responsibilities. This confirmation must be presented at the time of your visit. Please make sure that copies of the confirmation are given to every attending teacher/leader, and that chaperone responsibilities are explained to the chaperones before arrival. Please note - chaperones who arrive in their own vehicles and use the Museum's visitor parking lot will be charged the standard $3 parking fee.
Access to all halls is not guaranteed, and some exhibits, including dinosaur exhibits, may be closed when classes are scheduled. On almost every weekday morning during the spring the Peabody is very crowded with school groups. Groups are urged to visit during fall and winter to avoid the spring crowds. Call early to plan your trip!
To make a reservation, call the Office of Education at (203) 432-3775 on weekdays between 8:30 am and 1:30 pm, or send an e-mail to peabody.education@yale.edu.
Visitors are welcome to picnic on the lawn. In inclement weather, groups may eat in the Museum. This must be arranged in advance; your confirmation will indicate the lunch location for your group.
Payment may be made on the day of your visit. The following are acceptable forms of payment:
Coupons, Museum memberships, Yale IDs, or library passes will not be honored as part of the group rate; anyone using these will be considered an individual visitor by the admissions staff and not counted as part of the group.
For Reservations:
Elizabeth Steele, Scheduler
(203) 432-3775 (8:30 am–1:30 pm)
peabody.education@yale.edu
David Heiser, Head of Education and Outreach
(203) 432-3777
david.heiser@yale.edu
Armand Morgan, Senior Instructor
(203) 432-3297
armand.morgan@yale.edu
Jim Sirch, Instructor, Discovery Room Coordinator
(203) 432-6919
james.sirch@yale.edu
Mailing Address:
Office of Education
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
P.O. Box 208118
New Haven, CT 06520-8118 USA
Fax (203) 432-9816, Attn: EDUCATION
West Campus Programs for Schools & Groups
Tom Parlapiano, Peabody Community Education Center
(203) 737-3065
peabody.westcampusprograms@yale.edu
Directions and Parking
InfoTape (203) 432-5050
The Yale Peabody Museum is wheelchair accessible.
