School Groups

The Big Back Yard provides a one of kind resource to introduce and study multiple earth system topics, especially "source to sink" and "river system dynamics."

We have set aside 8 days in September for school groups to play a round of mini-golf while experiencing the effects of various surfaces on storm water, investigating river meanders, putting around wing dams, analyzing erosion effects of quickly flowing water and more.

During your visit to the Science Museum, you will also have access to all of the exhibit galleries.

Available September 16-19, 23-26, 2008
Cost: $ 7 per student (includes museum admission and all golfing fees)

Download the Big Back Yard Teacher Guide (PDF | 424 KB)

For a small additional fee, you can also choose to see the featured Omnitheater film, Mysteries of the Great Lakes. Through several interlocking stories, Mysteries of the Great Lakes will take you on a journey through the greatest lake system in the world, and showcase the amazing geography, ecology, science, and history of the region.

For further information and to reserve your spot, email us at by the beginning of September. Reservations are limited, so please reserve early.

For a free teacher preview of the Big Back Yard (golf fees not included), museum galleries or the Omnitheater film, just bring your school ID to our box office. Mysteries of the Great Lakes opens September 12, 2008.