Teachers spend so much of their own time, creativity—and, yes, money—making learning come alive for their students. That's one reason we love sharing a local resource that can put exciting, hands-on science activities directly into Northeast Louisiana classrooms without adding another expense to a teacher's list.

The ULM Museum of Natural History offers Discovery Boxes, ready-to-use STEM activity kits that teachers can borrow FREE for their classrooms.

And here's something we especially love: there are Discovery Boxes for the littles, too! These hands-on experiences aren't just for the big kids. Younger learners can get in on the discovering, exploring and experimenting.

🔬 What Is a Discovery Box?

Think of it as a science lesson in a box—minus the late-night scramble for 30 plastic cups, baking soda and whatever mysterious supply the lesson plan suddenly says you need tomorrow morning.

Discovery Boxes give teachers the materials they need to bring STEM concepts to life through hands-on learning.

According to the current ULM Discovery Boxes information:

• Each box can be borrowed for one week, subject to availability.
• Materials are provided for up to 30 students.
• Disposable supplies are included.
• Activities are available for grades K–3, 4–5, 6–7, and 8 & above.
• Some boxes can be requested with one week's notice, while others require one month's notice.

🐛 Don't Forget the Littles!

Some of our favorite Discovery Box experiences are designed with younger learners in mind, and The Hungry Caterpillar is one we absolutely love!

Using a familiar, kid-friendly theme is such a wonderful way to introduce little learners to science. Children can explore concepts connected to caterpillars, butterflies, life cycles and the natural world through an experience that feels more like playing and discovering than sitting through a science lesson.

For preschool and early elementary teachers, these types of boxes can be an especially fun way to turn storytime into hands-on STEM learning.

Tiny scientists count, too—and sometimes they're the most enthusiastic ones in the room!

🧪 So, What's Inside the Boxes?

Teachers can choose from an impressive variety of activities covering chemistry, weather, energy, engineering, ecosystems, physics and more.

Available With One Week's Notice

CHEMISTRY

• Slime Making
• Water Cohesion

WEATHER

• Tornado in a Bottle

ENERGY

• Solar Bugs
• Solar Prints
• Potato Clocks

ENGINEERING

• Upcycling
• Bridge Building

ECOSYSTEM

• Owl Pellets
• Butterfly Life Cycle
• Water Testing

PHYSICS

• Air Zooka

More Discovery Boxes Available With One Month's Notice

Planning a little farther ahead opens up even more possibilities:

• Water Filtration
• Soda Geysers
• Rock Testing
• Lava Lamp Making
• Bouncy Ball Production
• Swab for Microbes
• Crystal Making
• Not a Box
• DNA Isolation
• Erosion Table

Seriously, can we go back to school for science day? Soda geysers, slime, owl pellets, butterflies, DNA and bouncy balls sound like a pretty great day in class to us.

🦋 We Got a Peek Inside!

Macaroni KID previously had the opportunity to get a closer look at one of ULM's butterfly-themed Discovery Boxes, and it was such a great example of what makes this program special.

The box included educational materials about the butterfly life cycle along with visual examples showing the stages of development and supplies for a creative hands-on activity. Instead of simply reading about a butterfly's transformation, students get opportunities to see, touch, create and explore the concept.

That's the kind of learning kids remember.

❤️ A Resource Worth Sharing With Every Teacher

ULM's Discovery Boxes aren't simply a collection of science supplies. They're another tool teachers can use to create those magical classroom moments when a child suddenly says, "WAIT…that's how that works?!"

And because the materials are already gathered for the activity, teachers can spend more time teaching and less time tracking down supplies.

Even better, this resource is FREE for teachers.

📦 Ready to Reserve a Discovery Box?

Teachers can contact the ULM Museum of Natural History to ask about available boxes and schedule one for their classroom:

Email: STEAM@ULM.EDU

Boxes are subject to availability, so plan ahead when possible. Some require one week's notice, while others require one month's notice.

Teachers, thank you for everything you do to make learning exciting for our kids. And ULM—thank you for helping put more hands-on discovery into local classrooms, from our littlest learners all the way up!

Know a Northeast Louisiana teacher? Share this article with them. This is one of those resources that's simply too good to keep quiet!

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