Teacher Resources

Cultivating a love for science can happen in various places. At the Montshire, we strive to strengthen the ecosystem of science learning through support and collaboration. That’s why we offer engaging videos, fun and accessible activity sheets, and innovative programs specifically designed to meet the needs of students and educators.

Take a look at our teacher resources and find the right tools for you and your classroom!

Filter by NGSS Discipline test

Filter by Curriculum Topic

Bugs and Creepy Crawlers

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

A Cardboard Masterpiece

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design,

Amphibian Trivia

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Animal Tracks and Signs

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

×

Animal Tracks and Signs Details

Students will learn about the behavior of local animals through the signs they leave behind. This program will introduce your students to the tracks of New England’s familiar mammals. An indoor inquiry includes an up-close encounter with mounted specimens from the Museum’s collection.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Animals Up Close (Virtual)

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Aquatic Explorations

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

×

Aquatic Explorations Details

Using microscopes and hand lenses, students will investigate micro- and macro-invertebrates that are found in our local ponds and marshes. Direct observations may include dragonfly, mayfly, and caddisfly larvae, as well as other invertebrates. This will help students better understand these animals’ complex life cycles and the important role they play in an aquatic system’s food web.Using microscopes and hand lenses, students will investigate micro- and macro-invertebrates that are found in our local ponds and marshes. Direct observations may include dragonfly, mayfly, and caddisfly larvae, as well as other invertebrates. This will help students better understand these animals’ complex life cycles and the important role they play in an aquatic system’s food web.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Balls & Ramps

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design, Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

×

Balls & Ramps Details

Using tubes and tunnels, students will explore force and motion to create a large rollways. During the workshop, they will have many opportunities to problem solve, build and work with others to create interesting and exciting routes for their marble.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Batteries, Motors & Bulbs

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Forces & Motion,

×

Batteries, Motors & Bulbs Details

Students use batteries, motors, and bulbs to explore electricity to develop their understanding of complete circuits. This workshop includes open exploration and problem solving with circuits.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Bee Behavior

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Bee Behavior

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Bubble Solution Recipe

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Properties of Matter,

Bubble Wand Scavenger Hunt

Watch Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Properties of Matter,

Build a Working Model of Your Hand Bones

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Plants & Animals,

Build a Working Model of Your Hand Bones

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Plants & Animals,

Building a Chain Reaction with Household Materials

Watch Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design, Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

Building and Testing Your Chain Reaction

Watch Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design, Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

Cardboard Wearables

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design,

Cardboard Wearables

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Properties of Matter,

Chain Reactions

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design,

×

Chain Reactions Details

See what can happens as you work against the clock to build an oversized, collaborative Chain Reaction Machine inspired by Rube Goldberg’s designs. Working in teams, students will engineer and construct a machine that will be linked in a giant group chain reaction. This program offers plenty of opportunity for students to engage in problem solving and creative thinking while working with concepts of friction, gravity, forces, and motion.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Chicken Bone Experiments

Watch Video Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Clouds and Condensation

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Earth and Space Science,

Curriculum Topic

Earth Science & Systems, Weather & Climate,

×

Clouds and Condensation Details

Students will experiment with moisture and temperature to create miniature atmospheric models in this workshop developed with support from NASA. We’ll create clouds and frost and discuss the interactions that produce familiar weather phenomena.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Comparing Bones

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Comparing Bones

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Creating a Marble Run

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

Creating a Marble Run

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

Deep Time: A History of Life on Earth

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Earth and Space Science,

Curriculum Topic

Earth Science & Systems, Plants & Animals,

×

Deep Time: A History of Life on Earth Details

A History of Life on Earth: Students will examine the museum’s fossil collection as they learn how paleontologists use fossils to track evolutionary change over the Earth’s 4.5 billion year geologic timeline

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Discovering Density

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Properties of Matter,

×

Discovering Density Details

In this workshop students determine how they can change the density of liquids, and discover how to use this knowledge for some surprising effects. Students will see how density is a property of matter and learn about solutions and concentrations.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Egg Drop

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion, Plants & Animals,

Egg Drop

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion, Plants & Animals,

Egg Spinning Test

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Forces & Motion, Plants & Animals,

Egg Spinning Test

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Forces & Motion, Plants & Animals,

Egg Yolks and Egg Whites

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Egg Yolks and Egg Whites

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Engineering and Structures

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

×

Engineering and Structures Details

Students will participate in individual and group building projects that demonstrate the strength of triangles, balance, and other elements of structural design, as they build bridges and towers.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Everything About My Tree

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Everything About My Tree

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Explore an Aquatic Habitat

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Exploring Air

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

×

Exploring Air Details

Students will build and experiment with small parachutes and other paper crafts in order to discover the properties of air.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Exploring Pond Life

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Exploring Pond Life

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Exploring the Outdoors

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

×

Exploring the Outdoors Details

Young students will immerse themselves in the study of nature in this outdoor workshop on the Montshire’s 100 acres. We’ll start off by doing a silent walk to sharpen our senses, then use microscopes and other tools to collect and examine insects, plants, and soils found in the meadow and forest.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

First Steps in Building a Chain Reaction

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design, Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

First Steps in Building a Chain Reaction

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design, Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

Flower Dissection

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

From 2D to 3D Design

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design,

Hollow Egg Suprise

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Life Science,

Hollow Egg Suprise

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Life Science,

Hot Air Balloons

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Properties of Matter,

×

Hot Air Balloons

What’s lighter than air? Hot air! Students will work in small groups building their own hot air balloons. The scientific concepts of density, heat, and other properties of air are revealed as students fly their balloons in the Museum’s main hall.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

How Do Your Bones Compare

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Insects

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

×

Insects Details

In this workshop, students will use microscopes, the Montshire’s insect collection, and live animals to look closely at the creatures that really rule the world! We’ll focus on the incredible diversity and fascinating structures of insects.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Inside an Egg

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Inside an Egg

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Investigating Fossils: Tracks of the Past

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Earth and Space Science,

Curriculum Topic

Earth Science & Systems, Plants & Animals,

×

Investigating Fossils: Tracks of the Past Details

Tracks of the Past: Students get to handle real fossils from the Museum’s collection while learning about plants and animals from long ago. Using plaster of Paris, students will make a “fossil” to take home.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Magnets

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Forces & Motion,

×

Magnets Details

Students will predict, test and experiment with magnetism and discover what is magnetic in this introduction to forces and motion. Multiple magnets will allow for exploration of attracting and repelling forces.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Make Big Bubbles at Home

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Properties of Matter,

Make Your Own Foam Fountain

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Properties of Matter,

Make Your Own Foam Fountain

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Properties of Matter,

Mirrors

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Light & Sound,

×

Mirrors Details

This workshop will introduce principles of light and reflection as students create images with flat mirrors. Students will also engage in hands-on investigations of the geometry and patterns of symmetry.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Microscopes

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

×

Microscopes Details

Cells are the basic building blocks of life. In this workshop students will use compound microscopes to observe the differences and similarities between animal and plant cells. They will practice staining techniques to more easily observe specific structures in cells including the cell nucleus and cell wall.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Mixing Colors

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Light & Sound,

×

Mixing Colors Details

Focusing on primary and secondary colors, students will be engaged in hands-on activities as they explore art and science through the colors that surround them.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Montshire Chain Reaction Finale

Watch Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design, Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

Montshire Chain Reaction Finale

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design, Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

My What Big Teeth You Have

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Pine Cone Scavenger Hunt

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Pine Cone Scavenger Hunt

Download Activity Sheet Related Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

River Formations

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Earth and Space Science,

Curriculum Topic

Earth Science & Systems,

×

River Formations Details

Roll up your sleeves for this hands-on workshop. Students will use stream tables to investigate how the force of water moves sediment, shapes rivers, and forms deltas. They will then zoom out and view satellite imagery of New England streams and rivers for a different perspective.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Save an Ice Cube

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Earth Science & Systems, Engineering & Design, Properties of Matter, Weather & Climate,

Save an Ice Cube

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Earth Science & Systems, Engineering & Design, Properties of Matter, Weather & Climate,

Scribblebots

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design,

×

Scribblebots Details

Students will create a machine that makes modern art while learning how to wire circuits, offset a motor, problem solve, experiment with balance, deal with material constraints, and troubleshoot components. It’s a multi-disciplinary experience that students will not soon forget.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Seed Scavenger Hunt

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Seed Scavenger Hunt

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Seed Sprouting Part 1

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Seed Sprouting Part 2

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Seedy Science

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

×

Seedy Science Details

Use the museum’s seed collection to explore plant adaptations and diversity! Students will sort and classify seeds, practice identification, and examine seeds and sprouts with hand lenses and microscopes.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Slippery Soap Scavenger Hunt

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Properties of Matter,

Smile and Show Your Skeleton

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Spider Spy

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

StarLab

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Earth and Space Science,

Curriculum Topic

Space Systems,

×

StarLab Details

The StarLab portable planetarium program brings the night sky to life using a carefully designed program for elementary and middle school students. For younger elementary students, special focus is made on understanding how the Earth’s movement affects day and night. Middle elementary students begin to explore how the Earth’s orbit affects seasonal variations in visible constellations. For upper elementary and middle school students we might explore more advanced topics such as moon phases or the location of planets, depending on teacher expectations. Inside the dome, the program focuses on the current night sky with emphasis on learning how to locate key stars, constellations, visible planets and the moon.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Starting a Week of Cardboard Creations

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design,

Starting a Week of Cardboard Creations

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design,

Tessellations (Virtual)

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design,

Testing the Strength of an Egg

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Plants & Animals,

Testing the Strength of an Egg

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Plants & Animals,

The Rock Cycle

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Earth and Space Science,

Curriculum Topic

Earth Science & Systems,

×

The Rock Cycle Details

Students will handle and observe rock samples with microscopes as they investigate how and where New England’s rocks have formed, moved, and changed. They will learn about the volcanic origins of igneous rocks like granite, the layered formation of shale, and the dynamic processes that have acted to produce the most ubiquitous rocks in our region, the metamorphic rocks.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Ticks Up Close

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

×

Ticks Up Close Details

Use microscopes to examine the museum’s tick collection as students identify key characteristics, adaptations, and different species of local ticks. We’ll use data to connect increasing tick populations in Vermont and New Hampshire to increasing tick borne diseases and see what role changing ecosystems and climate play.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Tracking Ticks

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Tracking Ticks

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Turtles

Watch Video Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Understanding Bubbles

Watch Video Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Properties of Matter,

Using Themes

Watch Video Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design, Physical Science,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Forces & Motion,

Weather & Climate

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Earth and Space Science,

Curriculum Topic

Weather & Climate,

×

Weather & Climate Details

Weather and climate are shaped by complex interactions involving sunlight, oceans, the atmosphere, ice, land forms, and living things. These interactions can drive changes that occur over multiple time scales—from days, months, years, and beyond. In this workshop, students use local events and global data to begin to explore such changes. Students graph, analyze, and identify patterns in their data as they build comprehension around weather and climate.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

What Can We Learn From Bones

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

What Can We Learn From Bones

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Who Sank the Boat?

Workshop Details

NGSS Discipline

Engineering & Design,

Curriculum Topic

Engineering & Design, Properties of Matter,

×

Who Sank the Boat? Details

Students will experiment with different materials to find out what sinks and what floats. Children will then use aluminum foil to construct and test their own boats. As a class they will record and represent data from observations of their experiments. A reading of Pamela Allen’s book, “Who Sank the Boat?” is included, which integrates science and children’s literature.

Plan a Visit With Your Students

Who’s Under That Rock?

Download Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson Download Teacher's Guide

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Who’s That Tree

Watch Video Related Activity Sheet Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,

Who’s That Tree

Download Activity Sheet Related Video Related Montshire Lesson

NGSS Discipline

Life Science,

Curriculum Topic

Plants & Animals,