The museum brings interactive family learning adventures to libraries, community organizations, and special events around the state. Our 90-minute programs are tailored to family audiences and each one includes a fun introductory presentation, followed by activity tables offering touchable specimens and hands-on activities.
These large-scale family programs are currently only available during the summer months. They are not available for scheduling September through May.
Summer 2026
Catch the buzz and be delighted as you zoom into the wonderful world of Oregon bees—we have over 500 different kinds! Discover mason bees, cuckoo bees, mining bees, longhorn bees, and, of course, honey bees. Enjoy hands-on science fun and buzz-worthy activities about bugs and bees while exploring these mighty mini-beasts of nature.
Bee Amazed! aligns with the national iREAD summer reading program theme for 2026 – Plant a Seed, Read – which is rooted in the concept of farm to table.
PLEASE REQUEST YOUR PROGRAM BY DECEMBER 18
Requests submitted by the priority deadline of December 18 will have the best chance of receiving your preferred program date as we build the initial summer itinerary. You will then be notified of your scheduled program date, time, and cost by January 8, 2026.
Program requests submitted after December 18 will be added to the schedule on a first-come, first-served basis.
Learn more about the program below and submit your request for a summer program today!
We are traveling the state this summer in our Museum Outreach Van, courtesy of Kendall Toyota of Eugene.
Summer 2025 was a real Power Play for the Planet!
Last summer the museum teamed up with libraries across Oregon to present 111 Power Play for the Planet programs. Museum programs have become a summer tradition for many libraries, and these folks let us know why they keep us coming back to their communities:
Your programs are so interactive, and families have enjoyed participating so much. Thank you for all you do!
Per usual, you all do an amazing job of engaging kids and families, fostering curiosity, and providing opportunities for education. Thank you!
The presenters were wonderful. They were fantastic with the kids. The stations were so much fun and our attendees had a great time. They didn’t want to leave.
I like that we can provide such a high caliber educational, but fun, experience to our folks who might never get an opportunity to experience the museum.
Visiting your libraries and communities also provides a valuable life experience for the UO students working as Museum Educators. Check out this news story from last summer and you may see your own library highlighted too!
- $175 for a 90-minute program. (can modify for a 60-minute program, but 90-minutes is recommended)
- Mileage expenses apply for locations outside of the Eugene/Springfield area (approx. 72 cents per mile)
- Additional travel expenses may apply if an overnight stay is necessary.
To schedule a community outreach program, please complete and submit a program request form at least one month prior to your requested program date. For Summer 2026 programs, the priority deadline for requests is December 18, 2025 (see the "Request your Program" tab below for more details).
Things to Consider:
- This program experience is 90-minutes long and includes a lively presentation by a museum educator and a variety of stations offering interactive, hands-on activities and investigations. The program can be modified for a 60-minute program, but 90-minutes is recommended.
- You can save money on travel expenses by coordinating with other sites in your area. The museum makes an effort to keep costs as low as possible for individual locations when building the summer travel itinerary.
- Programs generally require space for 7-9 activity tables, but setup is flexible and can be tailored to the size of your library or audience.
- One or two museum educators will travel with the program.
- The program location must provide at least two adult/teen staff or volunteers to assist. This allows us to keep the program fees affordable and accessible for all!
REQUEST YOUR PROGRAM BY DECEMBER 18!
PRIORITY DEADLINE: Requests made by December 18 will have the best chance of receiving a preferred summer program date. Forms submitted by this date will be collected as a group and used to schedule the initial summer travel itinerary. These locations will be notified of their scheduled program date, time, and cost by January 8, 2026.
Program requests submitted after December 18 will be added to the travel schedule on a first come, first served basis.
Also check out our DIY Museum Activity Kits and Explore from Home options.
Questions? Contact us at mnchoutreach@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5019.
Museum exhibits are also traveling around the state. Would you like to bring one to your community? Learn more about eligible organizations and how to request your program here.
Stay up to date on the museum's library programs and more. Subscribe to our Oregon Libraries Newsletter.