The Sam Noble Museum at The University of Oklahoma inspires minds to understand the world through collection-based research, interpretation, and education.
(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!
We’re bringing 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 dives into a themed topic, connecting stories to science and […]
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!
We’re bringing stories to life with Stories & Specimens 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 dives into a themed topic, connecting stories to science and […]
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 […]
Registration required; closes Feb. 10. Spike’s Club inspires children ages 6 to 11 to love learning through active exploration and play. Each Thursday from 3:30 to 6:00 pm children will explore different natural and cultural history themes. During this installment of Spike’s Club, children will explore some of nature’s coolest (and yuckiest) facts. Why are […]
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’s Department of Vertebrate Paleontology collection offers a Fossil Preparation Course to teach participants how to prepare paleontology specimens for the collection. Participants meet with a small cohort on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on Thursday, February 19 during the morning (10:00 am -12:00 pm) or evening (6:00 - […]
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. […]
Keep an eye out for the Curiosity Cart as you explore our galleries! This miniature mobile exhibit invites visitors to engage with a selection of the museum’s “treasures”. Speak with museum staff to learn more and get an up-close look at our natural and cultural history.
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 techniques to […]
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 for one […]
Get ready for a day of hands-on discovery, creativity, and fun at Full STEAM Ahead! Dive into the exciting worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through interactive booths, crafts, and museum objects.
Registration closes on March 12. A week of morning discoveries awaits curious explorers ages 6 to 7. Join us for museum adventures with activities, crafts, games, and gallery tours as we explore natural and cultural history! Explorers Camp is where learning meets fun, new friends are made, and young minds embark on a journey they’ll […]
Join us for special daily events at the museum! Learn with “Storytime & Specimens”, make a craft with us, or even “Meet a Scientist” during your visit. All activities are included free with museum admission.
Registration closes on March 12. A week of afternoon discoveries awaits curious explorers ages 8 to 11. Join us for museum adventures with activities, crafts, games, and gallery tours as we explore natural and cultural history! Explorers Camp is where learning meets fun, new friends are made, and young minds embark on a journey they’ll […]
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 Spring Powwow is sponsored and […]
Registration closes on March 25. 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. […]
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. This program […]
Registration closes on April 7. Spike’s Club inspires children ages 6 to 11 to love learning through active exploration and play. Each Thursday from 3:30 to 6:00 pm children will explore different natural and cultural history themes. During this installment of Spike’s Club, children will explore biological flight in its many different and fascinating forms. […]
Celebrate the season of growth, change, and new beginnings at Cycle of Life. This Curiousiday is all about the wonders of springtime and the cycles of renewal in the natural world. Discover how plants bloom, how animals follow the seasons, and how ecosystems come alive during this vibrant season.
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, we will […]
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, and invasive species. In this […]
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! This program is for participants ages […]
Step into a world of discovery and wonder at our Collections Celebration. This Curiousiday invites you to explore the some of the amazing “treasures” that are housed in our diverse museum collections. From ancient artifacts and dazzling fossils to vibrant artworks and fascinating cultural objects, there’s something to captivate every curious mind.
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 Hospital fire. In her memoir, […]
