Program Policies - Outreach

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Travel
• Location Requirements
• Adult Supervision
• Time Allowed for Presentation
• Program-Specific Policies

Thank you for your interest in HMNS Outreach Programs! If you have a question not addressed by the information below, please email us at reservations@hmns.org and our staff will be happy to assist you. 

Travel

• The Outreach Program fee includes the first 20 miles round trip. For destinations greater than 20 miles away, an additional mileage fee will be applied.
• For locations more than 50 miles from the Museum, a later start time may be required. Locations more than 120 miles from the Museum may require an overnight stay, billed to the customer. If an overnight stay is required, the organization is responsible for a food allowance for the presenter, for the day of presentation. All of these fees will be included on your invoice.

Location Requirements

• One indoor location must be set aside for all presentations within the scheduled program time. Other events should not be scheduled simultaneously in the presentation space. However, several programs do offer festival-style presentations. Once the presenter is set up, the program cannot be moved. Details of the presentation environment will be agreed upon during scheduling.

Adult Supervision

• An adult chaperone must be provided by the organization booking the event. An adult from the organization scheduling the outreach program must be present at all times, for the entirety of each presentation. If an adult is not present, or student behavior is unacceptable, we reserve the right to stop and cancel the remainder of the program, without a refund. In order to maintain the safety and security of all live animals and other demonstrations, we additionally reserve the right to refuse service to schools or organizations with a history of unaddressed behavioral issues.

Time Allowed for Presentation

• Most presentations can be adjusted to last anywhere from 25 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the age of the audience and schedule at the school or organization. We recommend that presentations for Grades Pre-K through 2nd be limited to 30 minutes.
• For most programs, the Outreach Program fee includes a certain amount of total time at the school or organization. For example, a 3-hour, Half Day booking can include either four 45-minute presentations, or six 30-minute presentations. This time is calculated from the start of the first presentation to the end of the last presentation, and also includes any necessary breaks. Extended hours may be purchased for many programs, dependent on presenter availability.

Program-Specific Policies

1. Wildlife On Wheels

• Audience: Grades Pre-K through 8
• Approximately 30 students per presentation.
• Program Requirements:
  • A single space large enough to seat up to 30 students on the floor in rows.
  • One table, 6-foot or 8-foot.
  • To comply with the latest CDC recommendations on contact with live animals, hand sanitizer will be provided. Hand washing immediately following the presentation is strongly encouraged. For more information on the CDC recommendations regarding contact with live animals, download this PDF.
  • For children ages Pre-K and younger, following the live animal presentation children will have an opportunity to touch one animal chosen by the presenter. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
• Program Schedule:
  • Wildlife On Wheels can be scheduled to start at any time after 9 am.
  • Each presentation may be scheduled to last from 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Bookings may include only one program topic.
  • When booking a Full Day presentation, please allow a 30 minute break mid-day for the animals.

2. Bugs On Wheels

• Audience: Grades Pre-K through 8
• Approximately 30 students per presentation.
• Program Requirements
  • One table, 6-foot or 8-foot.
  • A single space large enough to seat up to 30 students on the floor in rows.
• Program Schedule
  • Bugs On Wheels can be scheduled to start at any time after 9 am.
  • Each presentation may be scheduled to last from 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Bookings may include only one program topic.
  • When booking a Full Day presentation, please allow a 30 minute break mid-day for the animals.

3. Chevon Earth Science On Wheels

• Audience: Grades Pre-K through 12; not all programs are appropriate for all grade levels.
• Maximum of 30 students per presentation.
• Program Requirements
  • The Science Sort and Know Your Rocks topics require a black or white board, and for all students to be seated at tables or desks.
  • The Focus on Fossils topic requires a laptop, projector and surface for projection. Museum staff can provide the laptop and projector if notified in advance.
• Program Schedule
  • Each presentation may be scheduled to last from 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Bookings may include only one program topic.

4. Discovery Dome

• Audience: Grades Pre-K through adult
• Number of audience members per presentation is dependent on the size of the Dome booked. As an example, approximately 50 fifth grade children can fit into our largest dome at once.
• Program Requirements
  • An indoor, clean floor space with a 12-foot ceiling. Each dome booked must have a dedicated 20×20 area available. A smaller dome (requiring a 9-foot or 10-foot ceiling) is available on request.
  • One accessible, grounded electrical outlet with a load capacity of 15 amps for each inflatable dome booked. To ensure the correct outlets are used and to prevent equipment failure, the booking organization’s contact on site on the day of the event is responsible for pointing out the appropriate outlets to the Presenter(s).
• Program Schedule
  • Each full dome film lasts approximately 20-25 minutes. We suggest allowing 30 minutes per film showing, to allow time for groups to enter and exit dome.

5. ConocoPhillips Science On Stage

• Audience: Grades 2 through 12; not all programs are appropriate for all grade levels.
• Maximum 250 students per presentation. An additional charge may apply for audiences over 250.
• Program Requirement
  • A large performance area such as a stage, gymnasium, or cafeteria; the topic Motion Commotion requires a stage for visibility.
  • A microphone.
  • Two tables, 6-foot or 8-foot.
• Program Schedule
  • Each presentation is 45 minutes long.
  • The presentation fee for the first presentation on a topic is $375; subsequent presentations on the same topic on the same day are $150. It is possible to present multiple topics on the same day; in this case, the first presentation fee of $375 applies again.

6. Science Start

• Audience: Grades K through 2
• Maximum 75 students per presentation. An additional charge may apply for audiences over 75.
• Program Requirements
  • A medium to large performance area such as a stage, gymnasium, or cafeteria.
  • A microphone.
  • Two tables, 6-foot or 8-foot.
• Program Schedule
  • Each presentation is 25 minutes long.
  • The presentation fee for the first pair of presentations on a topic is $375; subsequent pairs of presentations on the same topic on the same day are $150. It is possible to present multiple topics on the same day; in this case, the first presentation pair fee of $375 applies again.

7. Docents To Go

• Audience: Grades Pre-K through adult; not all programs are appropriate for all grade levels.
• We recommend approximately 40 audience members per presentation.
• Program Requirements
  • Two 8-foot tables.
  • The Energy topic requires an electrical outlet.
• Program Schedule
  • Each presentation is about 45 minutes long.
  • Each presentation will include one program topic, but presentations may also be customized for your group.

8. Activity Stations

• Audience: Grades Pre-K through 12; not all stations are appropriate for all grade levels.
• It is recommended that you plan for all participants to do all activities.
• Program Requirements
  • Activity Stations must be added on to a booking of one or more of our Outreach Programs. . A minimum of two stations must be selected.
  • School or group must provide at least 2 volunteers per table and minimum of two 6-foot tables per station (more tables will be needed for larger groups). Materials are delivered at least 45 minutes before start time to give your volunteers time to prepare.
• Program Schedule
  • Make-It Station fees are $100 per 100 people per station. Investigation Station fees are $100 per hour (2 hr minimum.

9. Make-It Stations

• Instruction card and activity example are provided. Once the supplies are gone, the station is packed up by HMNS staff. When estimating attendance, please plan for siblings or adults who will attend with students.

10. Investigation Stations

• Information cards are provided for all items in box. All boxes come with a materials list.
• Before leaving, HMNS staff will make sure all items have been returned to the box in satisfactory condition. School or group will be responsible for cost of replacement or repair of items.