Education Programming at the Frehner Museum
The Garth and Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History is dedicated to providing educational experiences for southern Utah’s residents, teachers, and students in all subjects relating to biology, geology, and anthropology. We believe K-12 students should have access to hands-on learning about their environment and the natural resources in southern Utah. We strive to provide education that is fun and engaging while leading the student to a deeper level of understanding where true learning takes place.
Education tours may be scheduled at any time by contacting the museum.
K-12 school tours of the special exhibits at the Garth and Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History and the Southern Utah Museum of Art are available during SUU's academic year from 9:30am-11:30am and 1:00pm-3:00pm when the museums are open. Each tour group will have a one-hour museum experience at each site for a total of two hours. Undergraduate students will lead these tours and provide hands-on activities that correlate to the exhibitions. To schedule a K-12 tour, please visit the SUMA website.
Education programs are made possible in part by the Friends of SUMA and iUtah.
The focus for the 2019-2020 education program is paleontology.
Wonder Wednesday
Wonder Wednesday is an after-school program for elementary school aged children. It is a joint effort between the Cedar City Public Library, Frontier Homestead State Park, Garth and Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History, SUMA (Southern Utah Museum of Art), and the SUU STEM Center for Teaching and Learning. Activities are held each Wednesday.
Education Resources
Supplemental lesson plans are created each year to support the education tour for the Garth and Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History and coincides with the education programming at the Southern Utah Museum on Art. The Education Resources section will continue to grow as we create new programs each year. All lesson plans adhere to the Utah Core Science Standards. Additional science learning activities may be found on our Pinterest page.
For art-based education information, please visit the Southern Utah Museum of Art's Education page.
Elementary Education
Event Mapping (K-5) Students will create an "event map" documenting a short nature walk. This lesson encourages students to slow down, observe the world around them, and learn through inquiry.
National Geographic Kids Explore all living things, from the world's smallest creatures to the world's largest creatures!
NASA Kids' Club Out of this world activities and experiments to do at home.
Science Bob Here’s list of great science experiments with instructions that you can do right at home!
Secondary Education
Scientific Illustrations Students will create scientific illustrations of real specimens viewed under microscopes or magnifying lenses. They will then use a dichotomous key to identify their specimens.
CELLS alive! Students can explore and study cells, microbes, and the immune system.
Virtual Museum Tours Experience the best museums from London to Seoul in the comfort of your own home.
This page was last updated March 2020.