Museum Unlocked
Belong. Socialize. Explore.
For High School Students. Belong. Socialize. Explore. The museum is yours after hours. Museum Unlocked is Burpee’s monthly teen club featuring music, games, themed activities, snacks, and exclusive access to explore the museum in a fun, welcoming environment. Meet new friends, discover new interests, and experience Burpee in a whole new way.
- When: Second & Fourth Friday of the month
- Where: Burpee Museum, Rockford Illinois
- Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Burpee Clubs: Communities of Curiosity
Pricing:
Drop In Admission – $25 (Best for First-time visitors, occasional participants, friends joining for a session)
Class pricing includes museum admission for the participant
Burpee Museum Member – $5 (Best for regular attendees who want the best value)
Fossil Hunters
September 11 at 6:30pm
Become a paleontologist for the night and uncover the mysteries of Earth’s ancient past! Explore real fossils, follow clues, and take on hands-on challenges to piece together what prehistoric life was like. Search through sediment for hidden fossils, examine bones and clues, and work together to reconstruct an ancient animal and figure out how it lived. This relaxed, social night is all about exploring, solving mysteries, and getting hands-on with the science of paleontology.
Survival of the Weirdest
Septmeber 25 at 6:30pm
A relaxed, competitive evening exploring the incredible ways organisms survive in their environments. Teens will discover how adaptations give animals an advantage and what happens when their environment suddenly changes. Through hands-on activities, challenges, and real-world examples, they’ll explore everything from camouflage and defense mechanisms to feeding strategies and extreme survival adaptations. Along the way, they’ll test their knowledge, compete with others, and discover what makes some organisms better equipped to survive than others.
Reptile Night
October 9th at 6:30pm
Get ready to go wild with reptiles! Teens will explore the strange, surprising, and sometimes downright bizarre world of snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodilians. Meet live reptiles, discover the adaptations that make them incredible survivors, and get hands-on with real specimens and clues. From scales and skulls to tracks and behaviors, challenge yourself to identify different reptiles and uncover what makes each species unique. It’s a relaxed night of live animals, hands-on exploration, and plenty of opportunities to get up close with some seriously cool creatures.
Archaeology Night
November 13 at 6:30pm
What can a broken pot, an ancient tool, or a tiny piece of bone tell you about someone who lived hundreds—or even thousands—of years ago? Step into the role of an archaeologist and uncover the clues hidden in artifacts from the past. Teens will investigate objects, piece together evidence, and explore how archaeologists use artifacts to learn about the people, cultures, and everyday lives of those who came before us. Get ready to dig into the past, think like a detective, and see how much a single artifact can reveal.
Myth, Monsters, and Science
November 27 at 6:30pm
Where did stories of dragons, giants, and other legendary creatures come from? Explore the real fossils, animals, natural phenomena, and scientific discoveries that may have helped inspire myths and legends around the world. Discover how people in the past may have interpreted mysterious bones, unusual animals, strange natural events, and discoveries they couldn’t yet explain. Along the way, uncover the fascinating connections between science, history, and the stories humans have created to make sense of the unknown.
Holiday Science Night
December 11 at 6:30pm
Ready to celebrate the holidays with a little science? Join us for a relaxed, festive evening where teens can hang out, explore the museum, and take on a variety of holiday-themed science activities and challenges. Discover the science behind winter traditions, strange seasonal creatures, and some of the surprising phenomena that make this time of year so fascinating. With hands-on activities, friendly competition, and plenty of opportunities to explore, it’s a fun way to experience the museum after hours and celebrate the season with a scientific twist.
FAQ
What is the instructional level of these sessions?
Do I need a prior background in science or paleontology to attend?
Do parents get to attend?
