The Sam Noble Museum at The University of Oklahoma inspires minds to understand the world through collection-based research, interpretation, and education.
(Ages 18+) 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 […]
(Ages 3-5) 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: […]
(All Ages) 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 […]
(Ages 6-11) 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 […]
The Sam Noble Museum will be OPEN to the public on February 16 in recognition of the Presidents Day holiday. Though the museum is generally closed on Monday, we are excited to welcome visitors over the long weekend, and hope you'll join us on your day off.
(Best Suited for Adult Audiences) 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. […]
(Ages 18+) 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 […]
(Ages 5+) Registration closes on February 18. *This program has reached its capacity limit* Explore the connection between dinosaurs and modern birds. Through fun, interactive, hands-on activities, we will discover how some dinosaurs took to the skies! Cost: $30 parent/child pair; $15 for each additional child and $10 for each additional adult in a group. […]
Hosted by the Oklahoma Blood Institute, join us on February 21 for a blood drive at the Sam Noble Museum! The "Donor Champions" drive will operate out the OBI's traveling Bloodmobile in the museum parking lot from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. All donors will receive a free Donor Champions t-shirt while supplies last! Click […]
(Ages 12-17) Registration closes on March 3. Step into our galleries and bring science to life one sketch at a time! In this hands-on scientific illustration workshop, we’ll take our art supplies into the exhibit halls to participate in an art-themed scavenger hunt. No experience? No problem! Our instructors will guide you through simple drawing […]
(Ages 3-5) Registration closes on March 6. Introduce your little learner to science concepts through doing, discovering, and making! Explore the world of flying creatures, from birds to bats to…dinosaurs? Through stories and hands-on fun, little learners will discover how wings help animals soar, glide, and flutter through the skies. Cost: $20 parent/child pair; $10 […]
Join us at the Sam Noble Museum on March 14 as we spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of discovery at Curiousiday: Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead! Families are invited to spend the day exploring the exciting worlds of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics through hands‑on activities designed for kids of all ages. Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead […]
Though the museum is normally closed on Monday, it will be OPEN on March 16 to welcome the public during Spring Break! Stop by and enjoy a range of special activities, crafts and events all week long as we celebrate the season.
(All Ages) Join us for new adventures daily during the Sam Noble Museum's Spring Break Escape! Included free with standard admission ($12 adult and $7 children) you can drop in any day of the week, or pick up a museum membership for unlimited family admissions and visit us all week long from March 16-20. Spring […]
(Best Suited for Ages 3-10) Every Saturday at 11 a.m. we're hosting Stories & Specimens for children and families! In this engaging program, children are invited to gather for a lively story time, where fascinating tales spark curiosity and set the stage for exploration. Each session dives into a themed topic, connecting stories to science […]
(Best Suited for Adult Audiences) Speakers: University of Oklahoma American Indian Student Association The University of Oklahoma Spring Powwow is one of the longest running student-led powwows in the nation! The powwow is a space and celebration bringing together many Indigenous nations sharing ancestral cultures and traditions through dancing and singing. The University of Oklahoma […]
(Best Suited for Ages 3-10) Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. we bring stories to life with Crafts and Tales at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History! In this engaging program, children are invited to gather for a lively story time, where fascinating tales spark curiosity and set the stage for exploration. Each session […]
(Ages 5+) Teach your little naturalists the joy and wonder of bird watching! We’ll learn about some of Oklahoma’s native birds then head outside to see what birds call the museum grounds home. Binoculars will be provided for use during the program. This program will involve walking outdoors, so please dress accordingly. In the case […]
Paleo Expedition is a week-long, residential field experience led by scientists and educators from the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History for Oklahoma high school students currently enrolled in grades 9, 10 or 11. This free program focuses on paleontology excavation and field-based supporting sciences while providing authentic, hands-on experiences in both the museum and the field. Click Here to Learn More and Sign Up
(Ages 12+) Registration closes on April 3. Join us on a guided bird-watching walk at a local Norman Park. Get an up-close look at native bird specimens before embarking on a nature walk to learn about birds and how to identify them by sight and sound. Binoculars will be provided for use during the program. […]
Celebrate the beauty and diversity of Indigenous languages at the Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair, the largest event for linguistic diversity in the state. Each spring, hundreds of students from Oklahoma and beyond gather at the Sam Noble Museum to share songs, speeches, stories, art, films, and other creative works in more than 40 […]
(Ages 6-11) Spike’s Club is a weekly after‑school adventure designed to spark curiosity and ignite a lifelong love of learning. Every Thursday from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m., children ages 6–11 are invited to the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History for an afternoon of hands‑on discovery. Parents can drop their kids off knowing they’ll […]
(All Ages) Celebrate spring with a full day of discovery at Curiousiday: Cycle of Life! On April 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Sam Noble Museum transforms into a lively, family‑friendly festival filled with activities that bring the natural world to life. This special event is included with your general admission, making it […]
Support the Sam Noble Museum on OU Giving Day! Join us on April 14 in celebrating the natural history and cultural heritage of Oklahoma by making a gift to the Sam Noble Museum this OU Giving Day. Your support helps us preserve the past, educate the present, and inspire the future. Choose one of our […]
(Ages 3-5) Registration closes on April 10. Introduce your little learner to science concepts through doing, discovering, and making! Experience the wonders of nature through guided play and discovery. Come dressed for outdoor exploration around the museum grounds. We’ll discover the plants, animals, and habitats in our own backyard! In the event of unsuitable weather, […]
(Best Suited for Adult Audiences) Speaker: Dr. David Wright, Assistant Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology, Sam Noble Museum and Assistant Professor of Paleobiology, School of Geosciences, University of Oklahoma Is Earth currently experiencing a mass extinction? Biodiversity loss today is occurring at an alarming rate—and many species are threatened by multiple stresses, including habitat destruction, over-exploitation, […]
Are you a teenager who nerds out about natural or cultural history? Are you looking for a cool place to spend your summer? Are you hoping to gain practical experience in a museum setting? If so, then the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History has the perfect opportunity for you! During our free seven-week Teen Volunteer Program, museum enthusiasts ages 13 to 17 will explore Oklahoma’s natural and cultural history through […]
(Ages 12+) Registration closes on April 29. In Crafting Nature, creativity and science combine! In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to collect and prepare natural ingredients to make their own egg tempura paint. They will then create an original work of art with their new paints. No experience required! Participants 17 and younger […]
(All Ages) The public is invited to a free presentation, Q&A and book signing with renowned paleontologist Dr. Matt Wedel at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 8. Titled Crowns of the Cretaceous: The Horned Dinosaurs, Wedel’s discussion will focus on ceratopsian dinosaurs and the world‑class fossil specimens preserved at the museum — including a new […]
(All Ages) Featuring a guest appearance by renowned paleontologist Dr. Matt Wedel! Step into a world of discovery and wonder at our latest Curiousiday: Collections Celebration! Explore the some of the most amazing hidden treasures that are normally housed in our secure museum collections, away from public view. From live fossil preparation to rare and […]
(Ages 3-5) Registration closes on May 8. Introduce your little learner to science concepts through doing, discovering, and making! What do reindeer, Hercules beetles, and triceratops have in common? Amazing headgear! Through playful activities and stories, little explorers will learn how horns and antlers help animals in the wild. Cost: $20 parent/child pair; $10 for […]
(Best Suited for Adult Audiences) Speaker: Dr. Susan Nash, American Association of Petroleum Geologists Dr. Susan Nash will present on how the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History inspired her to write two books. In Residuals: Cotylorhynchus Rises, Nash connects the energies between the mass casualties of Permian extinction and of the Griffin Memorial […]
(Ages 9-12) Calling all young explorers! Join us from June 1-5 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
(Ages 6-8) Calling all young explorers! Join us from June 8-12 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
(Ages 9-12) Calling all young explorers! Join us from June 8-12 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
(Ages 9-12) Calling all young explorers! Join us from June 1-5 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
(Ages 6-8) Calling all young explorers! Join us from June 15-19 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
Cherokee Nation artists Jennifer Saenz and Vicky Watson create beaded portraits as a visual language of “beadtelling”, carrying voices across generations through beadwork. Their solo exhibition, Threads of Untold History, explores Oklahoma’s Indian Territory and honors Freedmen and Freedmen descendants of the Five Civilized Tribes. The Woven Voices lecture shows how even the smallest bead can hold […]
(Ages 6-8) Calling all young explorers! Join us from June 8-12 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
(Ages 9-12) Calling all young explorers! Join us from June 8-12 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
Join us on June 30 from 7:30–9:30 p.m. for an evening of outdoor discovery as we explore the amazing bats that call Oklahoma home. We’ll begin at the Sam Noble Museum with a fun, family‑friendly introduction to local bat species—what they eat, where they live, and why they’re important to our ecosystems. Afterward, we’ll caravan […]
(Ages 6-8) Calling all young explorers! Join us from June 15-19 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
(Ages 9-12) Calling all young explorers! Join us from July 6-10 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
(Ages 6-8) Calling all young explorers! Join us from July 13-17 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
(Ages 9-12) Calling all young explorers! Join us from July 13-17 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
(Ages 6-8) Calling all young explorers! Join us from July 20-24 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
(Ages 9-12) Calling all young explorers! Join us from July 20-24 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
Oklahoma has an incredible diversity of moths from microscopic specks of glitter to North America's largest species reaching up to 7 inches in wingspan. These insects fill many interesting niches in our ecosystem including food sources for larger animals, pollination of countless plants, and decomposition of organic matter. DuFran will present on the importance of these winged creatures, and the […]
(Ages 6-8) Calling all young explorers! Join us from July 13-17 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
(Ages 9-12) Calling all young explorers! Join us from July 20-24 for an unforgettable summer camp experience at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Each week‑long, three‑hour session of Summer Explorers is led by experienced museum educators and features unique themes packed with hands‑on activities, experiments, and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. This […]
