Science and Nature Program
Daniel Kim/© AMNH
The Museum’s Gilder Center is an early voting site. Find your poll site at vote.nyc.
The Science and Nature Program contributes to children's understanding of and respect for the natural world, engages children in the foundations of scientific inquiry, and provides a window into the wonders of the Museum.
Experienced science educators collaborate with Museum scientists and specialists to design age-appropriate learning experiences in classrooms and Museum halls. These experiences are grounded in the Museum’s research and scientific collections, including zoology, Earth and planetary sciences, anthropology, and paleontology.
Designed for young children, the Science and Nature Program meets weekly throughout the school year.
Parents or grandparents attend class with children through 2nd Grade. This is a core principle and requirement of the program, based on research showing that young children develop deeper understanding and stronger connections to their learning when significant adults are actively involved.
Families with pre-K children are encouraged to explore the Early Adventures Program.
The entry-level class of the Science and Nature Program is Kindergarten Young Scientists. Children must be entering Kindergarten in the Fall of 2026 to be eligible to apply.
Because Science and Nature Program classes are intentionally small, enrollment is limited. All applications submitted during the admissions window of February 18–25, 2026 will be reviewed. Following the review process, a select group of families will be invited to participate in a short in-person meeting at the Museum.
During these meetings, families will:
Final admissions decisions will be made at the end of May, and families will be notified of their acceptance status at that time.
Children who enter the program as Kindergarten Young Scientists are eligible to re-enroll annually and are not required to reapply. As a result, availability in higher grade levels is limited. Families applying for 1st–5th Grade will be contacted to continue in the application process only if spaces become available.
If, after enrolling, you find that your child will be unable to participate in the Science and Nature Program, please notify us in writing via email at science&[email protected] by June 30, 2026 for a full refund.
Tuition payments are non-refundable after June 30, 2026.
For more information about other class offerings affiliated with the Science and Nature Program, please see the Early Adventures Program and Adventures in Science pages.
If you have questions about the Science and Nature Program, please email us at Science&[email protected]
The health and safety of our participants and staff is the top priority. You’ll notice some important changes to the Museum, our classrooms, and health and safety measures. For more information, please visit the Health and Safety page.