Raymond M. Alf Museum

Purpose: Supporting Lifelong Learning To accomplish its strategic plan of becoming a valuable paleontological resource for all its constituents, the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology will introduce the Paleontology in Your Lifetime program, a significant improvement to outreach education delivery. The program will reach the largest possible audience through self-guided tour cards, teacher education workshops, state standards-based curriculum for school-aged children, in-class presentations at local schools, and a revamped Web site to include online interactive education activities and downloadable information and worksheets. There is also a science education component for at-risk middle school girls. All of these activities will feature age-appropriate materials and reinforce the Alf Museum experience before and after tours. The program supports lifelong learning by providing engaging and memorable experiences in paleontology that grow as the individual grows. The 70,000-specimen collection and 8,000 square feet of exhibits at the museum, when combined with newly developed materials and Web site technology, will offer students, adults, and families an enriched exposure to paleontology and knowledge of earth history.