Exhibits

Your Gateway to the Universe

Come explore over 500 million years of history and science and let your inner scientist come out to play!

Discover the natural world through the North Museum’s many exhibits- from live animals and interactive displays to the beautifully displayed birds, mammals, fossils and minerals.

Light up your curiosity and imagination while learning how Scientists and Inventors are using their knowledge of the natural world to create new, amazing, and life-changing advances in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

Shallow Seas – NOW OPEN

Shallow Seas will take visitors through three different marine environments around the Atlantic Ocean. The exhibit first immerses you into the bright colorful world of a coral reef in the Caribbean Sea and explores concepts of biodiversity, evolutionary adaptations, and roles within habitats. The next section explores the often overlooked temperate waters right off of our coast. This area while not as diverse is a mixing pot of colder species from the north and warmer species from the south. Temperate waters explores themes of evolutionary adaptation, migration, and the power of ocean currents. Temperate oceans fade into the final section, the Arctic Ocean and the unique creatures who live there. The Arctic Ocean explores the role of marine mammals in an ecosystem and also fragile climate system in the Arctic.

Live Animal Room

Get to know more than twenty different species of animals in the North Museum’s Live Animal Room. Say hello to snakes, lizards, degus, turtles, toads, tarantulas, and more on your next visit.

Explore the Past

This part of the museum features a full-size dinosaur model, a view of Pennsylvania 200 million years ago, and many dinosaur skulls and bones. Get hands-on! Visitors can handle real fossils and bones in this interactive Paleontology Gallery.  With an in-depth look at T. Rex, (the tyrant lizard king) and the opportunity to get up close to prehistoric life, this exhibit is sure to please dinosaur lovers young and old.

Explore Nature Gallery

This fun-filled space incorporates science and nature in a fun, hands-on area. The space includes the live, glass-walled observation bee hive, interactive tree model, digital microscope, and ever-changing informative displays. Also, be sure to check out the amazing floor tile that helps illustrate the topography of our Susquehanna River Basin. Come play with nature!

STEAM Art Gallery

The North Museum of Nature and Science, STEAM Art Gallery promotes regional artwork that is inspired by science and nature.  Being a leader in the conversation around Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) the North Museum showcases artwork in the STEAM Gallery creating a link between science and art.

Geology Room

A rock-lover’s paradise, the Geology Room offers a tantalizing look at the Earth’s many rocks and minerals.  Our antique display cases show off many geological finds, while the newer cases  are filled with informative displays.  One case contains the display entitled, “Mineral Mysteries”, developed after a STEM Sisters event, that demonstrates how different minerals play a role in everyone’s daily life. These exhibits and a special scavenger hunt encourage you to discover and learn more about Geology down in the Museum’s lower level.

Ornithology Room

Let your imagination take flight.  Down on the Museum’s lowest level you will find a wide variety of birds displayed in beautiful, antique cases. This prized collection of both rare and local specimens wonderfully represents the amazing world of birds.  There are examples of both present day and pre-20th century taxidermy.  Whether you are an avid birder or you just want to know what bird was at your feeder this morning, this exhibit leaves an impression.

The exhibit is also home some birds that can only see in a museum.  The Heath Hen, Carolina Parakeet and the Passenger Pigeon all represent species that have been lost to extinction in North America.