LSU Museum of Natural Science

Subject: Science/Nature

119 Foster Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

(225) 578-2855 | General Information
(225) 578-3080 | Reservations
(225) 578-3075 | Fax

What you need to know!

General Public Hours and Admission Rates: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm, Free; One Saturday per month, 10:00am – noon, $3.00 donation per Child for programs

School Tour Hours and Admission Rates: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm; Free

Student to Chaperone Ratio Requested: 10:1
Advance Time Needed to Make Reservations: One week
Number of Students per Visit: Up to 30
Suggested Length of Time for Visit: One hour
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Grade Level Appropriate: K – 12th
Lunch Facilities: Cafeteria, fast food, and picnic areas are all on campus in walking distance.
Gift Shop: School groups can shop at the LSU Union.
Bus parking available

Tell Us About It!

In the cool quiet halls of the LSU Museum of Natural Science, hundreds of seemingly active animals are busy nesting, climbing, hunting, and even flying. There are nine habitat dioramas constructed between the years 1955 and 1964. These life-size dioramas of swamps, mountain sides, rainforest, and Louisiana’s forests are on the first floor of Foster Hall. The exhibits emphasize the diversity of flora and fauna in the different habitats. The Hall of Birds, reptiles and amphibian’s specimens, dinosaur fossils, and the original Mike the Tiger are also on display. This science museum is a research museum first and is staffed by scientists who collect, study, and preserve natural science specimens. The museum is located a few steps from the Indian Mounds and across from the Theater and Dramatic Arts Building on the LSU Campus.

What Can We See and Do There?

Teachers can lead their own class tour. Self-guiding instructions are on the museum’s website or teachers may call and request a copy of the Activity Book which includes self-guiding directions. The museum contains exhibits animal life, environmental science, geology, ecology, conservation, and insects. The most recent exhibit is Experience Antarctica. Younger students enjoy hands-on specimens and older students appreciate the artistic beauty of the dioramas. The museum staff will send out materials to teachers to help prepare students for their visit. One Saturday a month, the museum offers family programs including lectures and kids’ science classes.

How Do We Get There?

From I-10 exit at Dalrymple Drive and turn right on Dalrymple to Highland Road. Stop at the Visitors Information Office on campus on the corner of Highland and Dalrymple to obtain a parking tag. Teachers may call (225) 578-5030 to arrange parking in advance. Continue on Dalrymple Drive. Foster Hall is on the left across from the Greek Amphitheater.

Bad Weather! Now What Do We Do?

This field trip is indoors.

What Can We Visit Nearby?

LSU’s Hill Memorial Library; LSU Textile and Costume Museum; Indian Mounds at LSU; Foster Hall Art Gallery at LSU

Louisiana State Educational Benchmarks and Standards

K-4th grades: SI-E-A1-3; LS-E-A1-4; LS-E-B1-3; LS-E-C1-3; ESS-E-A1, 3-4, 7; SE-E-A1-5; G-1B-E1, 3-4; G-1D-E1; H-1A-E1-3; H-1B-E1, 4
5th-8th grades: LS-M-C1-4; LS-M-D1-2; ESS-M-A8-11; ESS-M-B1-3; SE-M-A1-6; G-1C-M3; G-1D-M1-2
9th-12th grades: LS-H-C2-6; LS-H-D2, 4; ESS-H-C3-4; SE-H-A1-6; G-1B-H3; G-1D-H2-3

What Can We Do In Class Before Our Field Trip?

Email or call for pre-visit materials. Contact Scope-on-a-Rope for a free microscope program in your classroom. This lending program is a part of LSU’s Socolofsky Microscopy Center. Teachers borrow hands-on microscopes. The program also includes biology and imaging presentations for groups. Topics include magnification and scale concepts, electron microscopy, light microscopy with “see your own cell” and DNA. Visit www.scopeonarope.lsu.edu or call (225) 578-0405.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H Out Your Field Trip Benefits

Ask the education staff if a speaker from the Museum can visit your classroom. Take a nature walk at school and look for natural settings. Examine the background, foreground, flora, and fauna.