Education Resources

Preschool Nature Exploration (PreK–K)

Young learners explore nature through sensory-based activities and outdoor exploration. Programs include guided interaction with indoor and outdoor exhibits and age-appropriate discovery of local plants, animals, and habitats.

Columbia River Resources (Grades 2–8)

Examine how humans and wildlife have relied on the Columbia River throughout history and how the river has changed over time.
Activities may include:

• Building historical timelines

• Investigating fish adaptations

• Matching artifacts to Lewis & Clark journal entries

• Interpreting satellite imagery of river impacts

View Columbia River Educational Content

Shrub-Steppe Ecosystem (Grades K–12)

Explore the plants, animals, and ecological relationships found in the Hanford Reach’s shrub-steppe and riparian zones.
Activities may include:

• Identifying native and invasive plants

• Examining animal skulls, pelts, and tracks

• Discovering how living things interact in this arid environment

Access Shrub-Steppe Learning Materials

Geologic Past (Grades K–8)

Uncover the dramatic geologic history of the Pacific Northwest by exploring local rocks, landforms, and fossils.
Activities may include:

• Comparing rocks and minerals

• Modeling the rock cycle and plate tectonics

• Analyzing Ice Age flood impacts

Explore Geologic History Resources

The River Mile Crayfish Study (Grades 3–12, April–October)

Participate in a real-world community science project by collecting and analyzing data on invasive crayfish in the Columbia River.
Activities may include:

• Species identification and measurement

• Scientific drawing and journaling

• Water quality testing and population modeling
  Can include a museum visit, classroom prep, and on-site river work. Contact our Education Manager to customize your experience.

Hanford – Manhattan Project and Beyond (Grades 5–12)

Explore the scientific, historical, and ethical dimensions of the Hanford Site—from WWII to today’s environmental stewardship.
Choose from the following focus areas:

• Health Physics & Radiation
  Understand radiation types, measurement tools, and safety practices used by early and modern scientists.

• Science of the B Reactor
  Dive into the physics and engineering of nuclear fission and Hanford’s role in developing atomic technology.

• Debating the Atomic Bombs
  Examine historical context, primary sources, and arguments for and against the use of atomic weapons in WWII.

• Journey from a Mine to an Atomic Weapon
  Follow the global supply chain of uranium—from African mines to Hanford, to Japan—highlighting environmental and human impacts.

• Hanford’s Cultural Artifacts, WWII & Cold War
  Investigate artifacts and oral histories from displaced communities, early workers, and the post-war era.

• Hanford Clean-Up
  Explore current environmental challenges, waste storage, and efforts to remediate and protect this national monument.