The Sam Noble Museum at The University of Oklahoma inspires minds to understand the world through collection-based research, interpretation, and education.
Celebrate the tradition of growing agave and distilling tequila with Rodrigo Medellin, founder and co-president of the Bat Friendly Tequila Program. Learn about agave and sustainable practices that encourage bat pollination from an expert, then engage your tastebuds in a mouthwatering sampling of bat-friendly™ tequila. Light refreshments provided; includes one taste sampling per ticket. This […]
Join us the second Saturday of the month from 10:00 am -4:00 pm for Curiousidays! Enjoy activities, crafts, museum specimens, collection chats, and more! All activities are free with museum admission. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of migration! From the breathtaking journeys of monarch butterflies to the incredible navigation skills of […]
Introduce your 3-5 year-old to science concepts through doing, discovering, and making! This week we’re diving into the wonders of water! During Little Scientists: Water Cycle we explore the science behind raindrops, clouds and flowing rivers to learn all about the forms of water and how it shapes our weather. Click Here to Register Cost: […]
The panel will feature three contributors to This Land Is Herland, one from each section of the book. Heather Clemmer's work speaks to the fluidity of power, Sarah Eppler Janda's presentation fits into the gendered politics of civil rights, and Patti Loughlin's talk addresses contested notions of equality. Click Here to Register
Experience the sights, sounds, and creatures that emerge at water’s edge as day turns to night. We’ll meet at the museum to learn about creatures that come out each evening and then caravan in personal vehicles to a Norman park to see and hear them for ourselves! This program is suited for ages 5 and […]
The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History will host a docent training program beginning Saturday, September 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with additional sessions on October 4, 11, and 18. This multi-session training offers participants in-depth knowledge of museum exhibits, effective teaching techniques, and hands-on experience shadowing current docents. Upon completion, trainees […]
This Oklahoma Archaeology Month, immerse yourself in the fascinating science of archaeology! This hands-on program brings the world of Oklahoma archaeology to life through exciting games, creative crafts, and real museum objects. Kids will step into the shoes of an archaeologist—discovering how scientists study the past to reveal the mysteries of civilizations long ago. Click […]
Join us for a bite-sized adventure for school holidays. Our Explorers Day Camps transform a simple day off into an unforgettable educational adventure. Whether digging into paleontology, unraveling ancient mysteries, or stepping into the shoes of a scientist, campers will experience the museum in a whole new way—full of excitement, creativity, and discovery. Explorers Camp […]
Join us for a bite-sized adventure for school holidays. Our Explorers Day Camps transform a simple day off into an unforgettable educational adventure. Whether digging into paleontology, unraveling ancient mysteries, or stepping into the shoes of a scientist, campers will experience the museum in a whole new way—full of excitement, creativity, and discovery. Explorers Camp […]
Join us the second Saturday of the month from 10:00 am -4:00 pm for Curiousidays! Enjoy activities, crafts, museum specimens, collection chats, food trucks and more! All indoor activities are free with museum admission. Get ready for a spine-chilling experience at our annual ‘Spooktacular’ Curiousiday this October! Museum guests are invited to participate in hands-on […]
The Sam Noble Museum will be closed on October 16, 2025. We will reopen for normal business hours on October 17, 2025.
Night in the Exhibits (N.I.T.E.) is an adults-only evening of socializing and discovery at the museum. This Adult N.I.T.E. celebrates the museum buildings’ 25th anniversary in its current location, so we’re throwing it back to the late ‘90s and early 2000s! And we’re inviting you to wear your best Y2K attire for the occasion! (You’re […]
Introduce your 3-5 year-old to science concepts through doing, discovering, and making! In this engaging seasonal session, we aim to prove that skeletons aren’t spooky–– they’re spectacular! Through hands-on activities and playful experiments, young learners will discover how bones help bodies move, grow, and thrive. Registration closes October 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Click Here […]
With 12 ecoregions within the state’s borders, Oklahoma is one of the most biogeographically interesting areas in the central United States. Much of the biodiversity within the state remains largely unexplored, including bees. In this free public lecture, Dr. Hung will present preliminary results from his efforts to inventory wild bee species in the state […]
Due to a scheduled university closure, the Sam Noble Museum will be closing to the public at 2:30 p.m.
With Halloween around the corner, the Sam Noble Museum is excited to host a free public screening of The Invisible Mammal, a feature-length documentary film about one of the season's spookiest creatures: BATS! Learn about bat conservation, the dangers of white-nose syndrome, and how women in science are helping to protect these incredible animals. Stick around […]
Spike’s Club inspires children to love learning through active exploration and play. Each Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. children will explore different natural and cultural history themes. During this installment of Spike’s Club, children will investigate the wide range of colors and patterns found in nature. Registration closes October 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. […]
Join us the second Saturday of the month from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for Curiousidays! Enjoy hands-on activities, crafts, museum specimens, collection chats and more. In celebration of the museum’s 25th anniversary, admission will be free for all visitors for one day only! We’re also giving away a free family membership—don’t miss your chance to […]
We're open this Veterans Day! Spend the day discovering Oklahoma’s natural treasures and honoring resilience in all its forms — the Sam Noble Museum is open and welcoming you!
(Ages 5+) Travel back in time and uncover the prehistoric world with Dig into Dinos: Dino Habitats! In this exciting hands-on program at the Sam Noble Museum, young paleontologists will explore how scientists use fossils to piece together ancient ecosystems and learn about the places where dinosaurs once roamed. From towering forests to vast deserts, […]
(Ages 3-5) Introduce your little learner to science concepts through doing, discovering, and making! Fur, feathers, scales, and slime! At Creature Features, we explore the textures, traits and adaptations that make animals unique! Through hands-on activities and playful experiments, little learners will discover how animals are grouped and sorted based on these traits, and how […]
(Recommended for Adult Audiences) During the eighteenth-century Wichita villages served as major Indigenous-controlled centers of the horse trade in a region that lacked the establishment of official European posts or an extensive rendezvous system. However, much of what we know about horses in Wichita communities comes from historic accounts. This talk will present the results […]
Registration required; closes Nov. 17 at 5 PM. In Crafting Nature, creativity and science collide! Cross-stitch is a form of embroidery that uses X-shaped stitches to create intricate designs on fabric. During this cross stitch workshop, participants will receive the instruction and supplies to create a unique piece based on an object in our collection. […]
Due to a scheduled event booking, the Sam Noble Museum will be closing to the public at 2:00 p.m.
Pre-Registration Required In Crafting Nature, creativity and science collide! Cross-stitch is a form of embroidery that uses X-shaped stitches to create intricate designs on fabric. During this cross stitch workshop, participants will receive the instruction and supplies to create a unique piece based on an object in our collection. Beginners and experts welcome! This program […]
Registration required; closes Nov. 17 at 5 PM. Join us for a bite-sized adventure for school holidays. Our Explorers Day Camps transform a simple day off into an unforgettable educational adventure. Whether digging into paleontology, unraveling ancient mysteries, or stepping into the shoes of a scientist, campers will experience the museum in a whole new […]
We're open during fall break! Looking for family fun over fall break? We’re here and ready! Make the Sam Noble Museum part of your autumn plans.
Join us for special daily events at the museum before the holiday! Learn with “Storytime & Specimens”, make a craft with us, or even “Meet a Scientist” during your visit. All activities are free with museum admission.
Registration required; closes Nov. 18 at 5 PM. Join us for a bite-sized adventure for school holidays. Our Explorers Day Camps transform a simple day off into an unforgettable educational adventure. Whether digging into paleontology, unraveling ancient mysteries, or stepping into the shoes of a scientist, campers will experience the museum in a whole new […]
The Sam Noble Museum will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but will reopen for normal business hours on November 28.
Registration required; closes Nov. 29 at 5 PM. Join us for Weird Science, a program where the bizarre, the unexpected, and the downright weird take center stage. For this installment of Weird Science, dive into the fascinating science of slime. Through hands-on activities, we’ll learn about the chemistry that makes slime so unique and discover […]
Step into a magical realm of frost and snow at our ‘Winter Wonderland’ Curiousiday! This enchanting celebration of winter invites attendees of all ages to uncover the fascinating scientific phenomena that define this chilly season, from the physics of snowflakes to the biology of winter wildlife.
Registration required; closes Dec. 9 at 5 PM. Introduce your little learner to science concepts through doing, discovering, and making! Mix, bubble, and change! In Curious About Chemistry, we introduce little learners to the magic of science through simple, safe experiments and exciting reactions. From bubbling mixtures to dazzling color changes, kids will explore the […]
Registration required; closes Dec. 17 at 12 PM. With the effects of climate change placing more and more stress on our local food systems, Indigenous Peoples in the United States are looking to adapt and implement traditional knowledge as a means of maintaining cultural connections to food and fight back against climate threats. This lecture […]
School’s out — discovery is in! The Sam Noble Museum is open during winter break for hands-on learning and fun for all ages, so visit us today!
We're open on Christmas Eve! Make some holiday memories before the festivities begin — the Sam Noble Museum is open for a day of wonder and discovery.
The Sam Noble Museum will be closed on Christmas Day, but will reopen for normal business hours on December 26.
School’s out — discovery is in! The Sam Noble Museum is open during winter break for hands-on learning and fun for all ages, so visit us today!
The Sam Noble Museum will be open on New Year's Eve! Celebrate the end of 2025 by reflecting on the expansive history of our world. Have a safe and wonderful holiday!
Happy New Year! The Sam Noble Museum is open for the holiday! Whether you've resolved to learn more about the world around you or just want to enjoy a relaxing holiday with the family, we'll be here to welcome you on the first day of 2026!
Step into a one-of-a-kind experience that blends the awe of the natural world with the icons of modern media! Paleo to Pop is a dynamic event where natural history collides with pop culture in unexpected and exciting ways. Explore how specimens and objects inspired blockbuster films, video games, comic books, and more!
Speaker: Janet Stewart, Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Oklahoma is home to the nation’s largest inventory of upstream flood control dams, an aging yet essential infrastructure system protecting lives, property, and agricultural productivity. This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of Oklahoma’s Small Watershed Flood Control Program, explaining its origins, purpose, and how the program functions today.
Registration closes on January 27. Discover how animals today face some of the same challenges that led to the dodo’s disappearance. Through hands-on activities, stories, and after-hours exhibit exploration, investigate some causes of extinction and learn simple ways to help protect wildlife. This program is suited for ages 5 and up. Cost: $30 parent/child pair; […]
Registration required. Night in the Exhibits (N.I.T.E.) is your chance to explore, sip, and socialize. No kids, no stress, just curiosity, good company, and exclusive access to our exhibits after dark. This Adult N.I.T.E., we’re diving into the wild world of natural style. From dazzling pigments to unbelievable camouflage, we’ll explore how nature shows off […]
Registration closes on February 6. Introduce your little learner to science concepts through doing, discovering, and making! Little explorers will discover amazing animals like the dodo bird and learn what it means when animals disappear. Through stories, play, and exploration, they'll begin to understand how we can help protect animals today. Cost: Cost: $20 parent/child […]
Join us for a lively celebration as we take a closer look at springtime behavior in nature. From the elaborate dances of birds to the buzzing rituals of bees — and all the quirky, surprising strategies in between — this event invites curious minds of all ages to discover how love and attraction bloom in […]
Registration closes on February 12. Join us for a bite-sized adventure for school holidays. Our Explorers Day Camp transforms a simple day off into an unforgettable educational adventure. Whether digging into paleontology, unraveling ancient mysteries, or stepping into the shoes of a scientist, explorers will experience the museum in a whole new way—full of excitement, […]
Speakers: Dr. Raina Heaton, Associate Curator of Native American Languages, Sam Noble Museum, and Associate Professor, Native American Studies, University of Oklahoma. While discussions of "diversity" and "extinction" often center around the biological and geological sciences, very similar processes are taking place with respect to historic and contemporary languages. Dr. Raina Heaton presents an overview […]
The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History will begin the Spring 2026 Docent Training class on Saturday, February 21 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. During the three-month program, participants will obtain in-depth knowledge of the museum exhibits, learn helpful techniques for communicating with visitors, and shadow experienced docents to learn all the skills […]
Registration closes on February 18. Explore the connection between dinosaurs and modern birds. Through fun, interactive, hands-on activities, we will discover how some dinosaurs took to the skies! This program is suited for ages 5 and up. Cost: $30 parent/child pair; $15 for each additional child and $10 for each additional adult in a group. […]
