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COVID-19 Information
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Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Department of State
New Jersey State Museum
The Hon. Tahesha Way, Secretary of State
Museum Updates:
The State of New Jersey does not currently require indoor masking for visitors and staff in state buildings.
NEW! 2022-23 Field Trip Guide
In-Person Field Trip Experiences
Reservations are now being accepted for fall 2022 and spring 2023 trips. Group programs are available Tuesday-Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Groups of 15 or more may reserve tours, workshops and Planetarium shows, for descriptions of each see below.
Trenton Public Schools and Title 1 schools receive a 20% discount.
Groups may add a reservation in Riverview Court for brown bag lunches. Contact reservations at (609) 292-1382 or email njsm.reservations@sos.nj.gov. Outside picnic tables are available without a reservation on a first-come basis.
Buses must drop off and pick up students at the main entrance (West State Street) and park in the Perry Street lot during the visit.
Students and Chaperones will enter the main entrance, drop off all food and drink in bins provided and receive a short orientation before heading off to reserved programs. Please make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled program to allow time for this.
Safety Guidelines
In accordance with the State of New Jersey’s updated guidelines, general masking is not required but recommended based on the CDC’s Community Level data. The Museum’s community is Mercer County.
Guidance for all Community Levels is as follows:
| Risk Level | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Low | Wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk. |
| Medium | Wear a mask if you are immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk for severe illness. |
| High | Wear a mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk. |
Masks will be available free of charge to both Chaperones and Students upon request.
Please Note: All in-person programs are subject to change per COVID-19 health and safety regulations. We reserve the option to reschedule or cancel programs if we are unable to safely serve you.
Homeschools
Homeschool groups of 15 students or more are invited to schedule in person and virtual programs, tours and Planetarium shows.
Summer Camp Groups
Summer groups (July 5-September 5) will choose from Planetarium public shows at 10:30, 11:30 and 1:30 and a simplified list of workshops options. Please ask about these options at the time of booking.
Virtual Field Trips
If you are looking to book a virtual experience for your students, you will find all of our programs and information here https://nj.gov/state/museum/learn-resources.shtml.
Our Planetarium has been upgraded with an ultra-high resolution 8K projection system, so your experience is sure to be out of this world!
From the ancient Maya to adventures on Mars, we have shows for all age groups and interests.
Show times are 10:00am, 11:00am and 1:00pm, Tuesday-Friday
PLEASE NOTE:
Planetarium shows begin promptly at the scheduled time; groups arriving late may miss their show. We are unable to issue refunds for late arrivals
Length: Shows range from 25 to 45 minutes
Cost: $5 per person, including teachers and chaperones.
Group Size: Our Planetarium seats 140 people; larger groups will be split into two or more shows. Minimum group size of 15 attendees. The first group to book a show time chooses the show!
Reservations and Information: email njsm.reservations@sos.nj.gov
Examine real fossils, engineer a home or express your artistry! Enhance your field trip with these hands-on experiences, designed around New Jersey's curriculum standards.
Workshops are 45 minutes long and are offered Tuesday through Friday. 15-30 students per session; larger groups will be divided into multiple sessions. Minimum group size is 15. Groups of over 200 students cannot be accommodated all on the same day but may be divided into two days if needed.
Reservations and Information: Email njsm.reservations@sos.nj.gov
Cost: $5.00 per student
Junior Paleontologist (Grades 2-8)
New Jersey is a fantastic place to find fossils! We'll explore the state's fossil record through games and examine real fossils - some hundreds of millions of years old.
Wide World of Weather (Grades K-4)
Explore Earth's dynamic weather and climate patterns, and experiment with an electrifying weather phenomenon!
Hearth & Home (Grades 4-8)
Looking to the Lenape for inspiration, student teams construct home models designed to combat the climate challenges of North American ecosystems.
Lenape Artistic Traditions (Grades K-5)
Delve into Delaware Lenape art and cultural expression to connect with New Jersey's first people, past and present.
The New Jersey State Museum welcomes Pre-K visitors with gallery guides specifically designed for them, Planetarium shows appropriate for their age and a special natural sciences play space, Discovery Den, designed just for kids pre-K through 2nd grade. In Discovery Den, explore nature in New Jersey through touchable specimens, games, books, puppets, costumes and more! Maximum 15 students at one time with adult supervision in this self-guided space.
Our guided programs focus on exploring science, art and history with Pre-K & Kindergarteners through creative play, crafts and storytelling.
Workshops are 45 minutes long, and are offered Tuesday through Friday. 15-20 students per workshop session; larger groups will be divided into multiple sessions. Minimum group size is 15.
Reservations and Information: Email njsm.reservations@sos.nj.gov
Cost: $4.00 per student
Dino Motion
Discover how dinosaurs and prehistoric reptiles moved through their environments as we combine science, imaginative play and detective work!
Paint Me a Story
Art and storytelling go hand in hand as we tour the Fine Art gallery and discover how the art on display tells stories and engages our minds and bodies.
Stars & Shapes Forever
Meet our favorite star and the planets that orbit in our solar system, and design your own special planet! Pair a planetarium show like “Little Star that Could” with this workshop (additional cost applies).
The New Jersey State Museum not only collects and preserves the story of New Jersey, we also actively participate in science every day!
Visit the Paleo Lab to take a peek at our latest fossil discoveries! Follow the progress of our scientists and volunteers, preparing fossil specimens from sites in New Jersey, Wyoming and Montana. We invite you to ask questions and observe their work. Open to the public every day, no reservation needed.
Scientist-led talks are 45 minutes with a Q&A session. Ask the Experts Live Science Talks are offered Tuesday-Friday. These talks are appropriate for students in grades 3-12. In person Ask the Experts talks can accommodate groups of up to 150 students. Minimum group size is 15.
Virtual options available - Zoom our expert into YOUR classroom! For better student participation, groups larger than 50 students may wish to split into multiple virtual sessions.
Reservations and Information: Email njsm.reservations@sos.nj.gov
People of the Past: Archaeology in New Jersey
How do artifacts help archaeologists understand the lives of prehistoric humans? Archaeologist Dr. Gregory Lattanzi leads this exploration of the unique artifacts found here, and what they tell us about the lifestyle of New Jersey’s first people.
Fossil Hunters in New Jersey
New Jersey abounds with fossils! Paleontologist Dr. Dana Ehret shares exciting fossil discoveries from throughout the state, what fossils tell us about ancient ecosystems, and the challenges paleontologists face in this adventurous field.
The New Jersey State Museum offers students 4 floors of exhibits exploring the Natural and Cultural history of the State, Archaeology and the Lenape people and a remarkable Fine Art collection. Each long-term exhibit gallery offers printed guides for both pre-K and older students to explore on their own.
Groups may also choose to reserve a guided tour of a specific gallery, led by our expert docent corp. Groups larger than 30 students may be split into multiple tours. Minimum group size is 15 students. Cost: FREE, advanced reservations required.
Reservations and Information: Email njsm.reservations@sos.nj.gov
Live theater returns for the 2022/2023 school year with two performance in the spring. We will announce the shows in our newsletter and on social media when they are confirmed.
To reserve a seat in the show, the fee is $5.00 per person (students and chaperones). The theater seats 384 so large groups are easily accommodated.
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