Learn & Teach at Home
March 18, 2020
Last updated August 11, 2020
On this page are lists of online resources created by PRI staff—which are organized by topic, with tags to indicate intended audience—to help you, your students, and your family learn more about our remarkable Earth and its past and present life. This page will continue to evolve as new resources come online—check back regularly!
You can also find many of our video-based resources on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to be notified of new video releases!
Jump to a topic: Fossils & Paleontology | Climate & Energy | Nature & Outdoors
Fossils & Paleontology
Virtual Collection of Fossils K-12 Teachers
Easy to explore collection of 3D fossils on display at the Museum of the Earth and from behind the scenes in the Research Collection.
Museum of the Earth Videos Everyone
A collection of videos that tell the history of Earth and its life.
Fossil Collections and Coral Conservation K-12 Teachers
Collections Video
Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life Teachers
Open access paleontology textbook.
Concretions Everyone
Funny-looking rocks that are often mistaken for fossils
Paleontology and Earth Science Programs at PRI Everyone
Information about PRI’s onsite and online programs.
Virtual Field Experiences Teachers
Explore famous fossil sites online
Teacher-Friendly Guides to Earth Science Teachers
Guides cover all regions of the United States.
Activities
Fun Fossil Activities Everyone
Activities related to ancient life that you can do at home.
Dino EggStravaganza Coloring and Activity Pack Everyone
Fun activities related to the science of eggs of prehistoric and modern animals.
Cecil’s Colossal Journey Through Time Everyone
Pages to color and activities to complete.
Be a Geologist at Home (235 KB) Everyone
Geology and paleontology activities.
Fossil Jumble (1.3 MB) Everyone
Fossil activities for Central New York.
Featured Videos
Featured Blogs
Climate & Energy
Citizen Science and Tracking Climate in Your Backyard Everyone
Climate and weather activities that you can do in your backyard.
Climate Change and Energy Programs at PRI Teachers
Information about PRI’s onsite and online programs.
The Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change Teachers
A content resource for teachers (and others).
Resources and Workshops Teachers
Associated with the Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change
New York Climate Change Science Clearinghouse Teachers
Resources to help communities, residents, and governments become more resilient to climate change.
Climate Change in Central New York Everyone
Information about Central New York’s climate, including historical observations, future projections, and impacts on plants and wildlife.
Environmental Data Teachers
Environmental parameters measured onsite at our venues.
Weather-Ready Nation Everyone
National Weather Service resources to help you be prepared for extreme weather.
Sugar Maples and Climate Change Everyone
How will climate change affect maple syrup?
Activities
Build a Wind-Powered Machine (181 KB) Everyone
Instructions for building a tiny, wind-powered elevator. See also an instructional video
Climate in a Tree Stump (212 KB) Everyone
Tree rings tell you more than a tree’s age.
Featured Videos
Featured Blogs
Nature & Outdoors
Bees! Diversity, Evolution, Conservation Everyone
Online exhibit
Cayuga Lake: Past & Present Everyone
Online exhibit; learn how Cayuga Lake and its wildlife have changed over the past 300 years
Tracking Puzzle Everyone
In-home activity to learn animal tracks.
Cayuga Nature Center Games Guide Everyone
A variety of camp games that can also be played at home.
Activities
Cayuga Nature Center bird search (455 KB) Everyone
Look for local birds.
Color These Birds (201 KB) Everyone
Activity for Pre-K children and Kindergartners.
World of Trees (1.9 MB) Everyone
Fun and educational activities to help Pre-K through 5th grade children learn about trees.
Featured Videos
Featured Blogs
Thank you for supporting PRI and helping us offer free natural history and Earth science education to all.
Many museums and cultural institutions, including the Paleontological Research Institution, depend on people visiting our public venues every week. Staff at PRI have been incredible at adapting to the recent changes and have come up with creative solutions to deliver the same quality education programs remotely for all to access.
So, while our physical doors may be locked, we’re committed to sharing great online content for everyone to access at home. If you learned something new or just simply enjoyed what we’re sharing, we’re grateful for a donation in any amount in support of our continued work and dedication to our mission.
Every gift matters and it allows us to continue to provide these free STEM education resources to those at home.