Natural History Museum
Sparking Curiosity and Understanding of Our Natural World
The Sierra College Natural History Museum is a dynamic and awe-inspiring center for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) learning initiatives.
Located in the heart of Sewell Hall (the Science Building on Rocklin campus), the Museum and accompanying Planetarium are a regional landmark for thousands of youngsters, students, teachers, teens, adults and parents who come to engage, experience, and discover our collections.
For more than 50 years, the Museum has provided inspirational scientific lifelong learning for its students and the community. Initially funded by a special grant from “Project Gold Mind,” the Museum’s champion and department chair, R.A. Underhill, oversaw the construction of exhibitions based on the rising theme of ecology. A true grassroots effort, faculty, students, and staff worked together for decades to build and augment the Museum’s collections, creating an array of displays examining Earth’s natural past.
Museum Events and Programs
Join us at one or all of our events and programs held throughout the year.
Annual Dinosaur Day Science Fest
Rawr!!! Dinosaur Day Science Fest, also known as Dino Day, is an adventure for all ages. For more than 20 years, the Museum has drawn thousands of people to its annual spring science festival.
Typically held the first Sunday in May, this campus-wide festival features live animal exhibitions, lectures, tours, physics and chemistry demonstrations, face painting, paleontological digs, maker stations, and engaging, verifiable scientific dialogue and much more!
Free Saturdays
Join Sierra College instructors, Museum staff, and scientists for a fun, open-house featuring science and math workshops geared for all ages. Immerse yourself, your friends and family in unique experiences paired with themes such as dinosaurs, marine mammals, volcanoes, bats, fossils, carnivorous plants, microbes/stinky foods, magnetic slime, and astronomy.
Storytime features a live reading from a related book, and games, crafts, and snacks are offered as well.
This program typically occurs the first Saturday of specific months from 10am to noon. View our events calendar for more details and to register.
Field Trip Fridays and Saturdays: SCHNM Guided Tours
Visitors of all ages are invited to join us for a guided tour experience, led by an experienced docent (tour guide). Guided tours include information on local ecosystems, organisms, food chains, introductory evolutionary concepts, geology and more. We also offer guided tours of our Nature Trail. Tours accommodate groups of 30 or less, with a 10-person minimum. All participants, including chaperones, pay a $4.00 per person fee for a 50 minute program. If your group is larger than 30 people, or if you are interested in multiple tours and / or a Planetarium Program on the same day, please book your guided tour experience online or contact the museum.
Planetarium Program
Offered on Fridays, August through May, the Planetarium is a ‘total darkness’ experience recommended for students’ 2nd grade and older. Astronomy Faculty offer insights into our solar system and beyond. Planetarium programs require a minimum of 30 participants, with a maximum of 50 people. For K-12 students, we require responsible adults (2 or more) to be in attendance for Planetarium programs. Participants of all ages, including chaperones, pay a $4.00 per person fee for a 50 minute program. If you are interested in multiple tours on the same day, please book your Planetarium Program experience through our online calendar or contact the museum.
Visit the Natural History Museum
Get more information about our upcoming events and register for tours or group reservations by contacting the museum.
Plan Your Visit
5100 Sierra College Blvd., Sewell Hall (Bldg. S), Rocklin, CA 95677
Rocklin Campus Map | Directions and Parking | Accessibility
Museum Hours
- Academic school year (August-May)
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm
- Select Saturdays for Free Saturday Programs: 10am – 12pm
- Closed Saturday and Sundays (unless event days) and during the holidays, including Spring and Winter break
- Planetarium is open only by group reservation on Field Trip Fridays, August – May
Admission
Individual admission to the Museum is free of charge. Self-guided visits are also free of charge.
For groups/guided tours, admission is activity-based for groups of 10 or more on Fridays during Spring and Fall semesters.
| Tour Options | Cost |
|---|---|
| Guided Museum Tour | $4.00 per visitor |
| Guided Nature Trail | $4.00 per visitor |
| Planetarium Program | $4.00 per visitor |
What We Offer and Visitor Information
Stay Connected with SCNHM
Virtual Tours and Experiments
In case you may have missed any of the Museum’s virtual tours and experiments on Facebook or want to watch them again, you can access them on our Virtual Tours and Experiments page.
Fun Activities to Do
Be sure to visit this page and our Facebook page to find fun learning activities you can do from home and share with others. Plus, we offer virtual tours, StoryTime Live and S.T.E.A.M. BedTime Story with our co-host, FunGus.
About the Museum
Get in Touch
Sierra College Natural History Museum
Building S
SCNHM hours of operation are M-F, 8am to 5pm when Sierra College semester is in session:
- Spring semester: January – May
- Fall semester: August – December
We are closed Saturdays and Sundays unless event days. Open on Free Saturdays only 10am – 12pm (unless otherwise noted).
The Museum is closed for all Sierra College District holidays, including Summer Break (June – July), Fall Break (Oct.), Winter Break (Dec./Jan.) and Spring Break (March/April). View Academic Calendar for exact dates.
The Planetarium is open only by group reservation on Field Trip Fridays. Guided tours by reservation only during Spring and Fall semesters on Fridays.