Dig In!

Photo: Rachel Ormiston/Burke Museum
Photo: Rachel Ormiston/Burke Museum

Program Availability

Due to funding challenges affecting the entire University of Washington, our capacity for programming and financial assistance is reduced, and we will not be able to accommodate all program requests. The Burke Museum remains committed to providing education offerings to the communities we serve.   

Please subscribe to our Educator Updates E-news for updates on programs and offerings at the Burke.  

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If you are interested in hosting a BurkeMobile visit to your school or organization, please complete the waitlist form. Completing the waitlist form does not guarantee we will be able to accommodate your request.

Waitlist form


 

Get ready for adventure!

Go on a pretend nature walk and imagine yourself as a bee, flower, worm, and more! Find out how plants and animals are connected by helping each other out through pollination, seed dispersal, and nurse logs. Then examine real specimens from the Burke collections to compare with ones you discovered during the nature walk.

I Spy Science sparks curiosity to earn more in the classroom, and observe life in our backyards and parks.


Take a tour through 540 million years of time and life without leaving the comfort of your classroom! 

Learn how the three types of rocks that make up our planet are formed from minerals. Uncover the dynamic, shifting nature of our planet with activities focusing on continental drift and plate tectonics. 

Find out how paleontologists “read” the fossil record for clues about what the world used to look like. Then become a paleontologist yourself by excavating fossils from dig pits, and exploring exhibits with fossils and cast replicas of plants and animals from the Paleozoic (sea creatures!), Mesozoic (dinos!) and Cenozoic (mammals!) Eras.

Questions & Answers

We've compiled some of the most common questions about BurkeMobile visits. Have another question that you need help with? Contact us. Please also refer to the BurkeMobile Terms & Conditions (PDF)  for more information.

The online waitlist form will ask for your contact information , details about your organization and participants, and which type of BurkeMobile program you are interested in. This information provides an overview for our team to assess our capacity and availability. If we are able to accommodate a program request from the waitlist, we will reach back out to you for the additional information needed to finalize your reservation. BurkeMobile programs can be booked a minimum of three weeks in advance.

Please be aware that filling out this form does not guarantee we will be able to accommodate your request. We process waitlist requests on a rolling basis throughout the school year, and prioritize schools and organizations who qualify for financial assistance and/or are geographically further from the Burke.

Early Learners Programs accommodate a maximum of 24 students per 45-minute lesson. A maximum of six (6) back-to-back lessons can be booked in a single day.

Each Mini Museum Program can be booked as an In-School Experience or a Community Event such as a library program or a family night. Only one Mini Museum program can be booked per visit.

The In-School Experience provides school classes a structured exploration of the Mini Museum, facilitated by Burke educators. The length of time the Mini Museum will run depends on the number of students participating. Program time is broken into 45-minute exploration blocks for each class or group of students visiting the Mini Museum. A maximum of six (6) exploration blocks can be scheduled in a day. 

The Community Event provides participants a drop-in style exploration of the Mini Museum for 2-3 hours and the cost is dependent on the length of time. Burke educators will be present to help participants engage with the exhibits. BurkeMobile has no limit on the number of people that can participate in the program during the 2-3 hour time period. Please keep in mind the restrictions on total occupancy for your particular space.

Early Learners programs require a designated room with tables, chairs, and a carpet or storytelling area.

Mini Museum programs require: 

  • A dedicated space for the full duration of the program
  • Eight (8) 6-foot tables (minimum)
  • At least 600 square feet of open space
  • Access to an electrical outlet

Pricing for BurkeMobile programs is based on location and number of participants. Below are pricing ranges by region and program type: 

In King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties:

  • Early Learners: $500 – $850
  • Mini Museum: $600 – $1,420

In all other counties (includes overnight travel):

  • Early Learners: $950 – $1,450
  • Mini Museum: $1,100 – $2,360

For an exact quote prior to making a reservation, please contact us

Yes! Our generous donors make it possible for us to offer financial assistance to schools and programs across the state.

To apply, please select ‘Yes’ and fill out the section titled 'Financial Assistance Request?’ in the BurkeMobile Waitlist Request Form.

Prior to creating a schedule, Burke staff will inform the client of the earliest possible program start time. This will depend on the amount of time required for travel and setup. BurkeMobile educators will need to arrive earlier than the program start time to set up. Set-up time required depends on the type of program, and will be communicated prior to your program date.

 

If you need to change or cancel a reservation, please email burked@uw.edu as soon as possible. 

Cancellations must be made a minimum of two weeks before the BurkeMobile visit for a refund. Cancellations made with less than two weeks’ notice will be charged the full fee.

 

Thank You

BurkeMobile Program Sponsors

Have a Question? 

Burke Education is here to help.

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