School Groups

The Hands On! Discovery Center offers several options for field trips for schools and other youth groups:

  • The Stellar STEAM Tour includes programming in all exhibit halls.
  • The Fossil Finder Tour focuses on paleontology exhibits and programs.
  • The Dual Discovery Tour combines the STEAM and Fossil Tours.

To register for a field trip, or to find more information, visit the Hands On website.

Scheu Family Exhibit Hall Construction Blue Blocks
Scheu Family Exhibit Hall Construction
Fossil Site Viewing Deck
Exploring the collections at Paleo Camp
Tom (Grad Student) At a 3D Printing Table (Darwin Day 2019)

Behind the Scenes Paleontology Tour

Older learners looking for a more in-depth experience might consider this behind-the-scenes tour of the Gray Fossil Site & Museum facilities. In this program, one of our paleontologists will lead your group out onto the Gray Fossil Site itself and inside our fossil laboratories. It’s a great opportunity to learn about paleontology, geology, and ancient history in the Appalachian region.

Please be aware that due to pandemic safety precautions, some portions of the behind-the-scenes tour might be unavailable. 

  • Ages: high school and older.
  • Maximum group size: 20 people.
  • Available Wednesdays through Saturdays between 9:30am and 4pm.
  • $8 per person
  • Limited availability.
  • Contact David Moscato to register: moscato@etsu.edu
Exploring turtles in the GFS collections
Visitors examine a jacketed specimen recovered from the Gray Fossil Site
Paleo Tours at the Gray Fossil Site
Tour Group Checks out the Bear (Darwin Day 2019)
Visiting group tour views an exhibit at the ETMNH
ETSU President's Circle Academy Tours the Gray Fossil Site
ETSU President's Circle Academy visits the ETMNH Gray Fossil Site Lab
ETSU President's Circle Academy visits the ETMNH Gray Fossil Site Lab