The Falls of the Ohio State Park was created with student experiences in mind. Knowledgeable park staff and volunteers have been providing K-16 grade educational opportunities since 1994. Programs include earth science and social studies, with an emphasis on interpreting life on the Devonian fossil beds the most unique geological site of its type in North America.
The cost is $7 per student (minimum of ten students) which includes a guided tour of the exhibit gallery and a hands-on lab. Maximum group size in one visit is 90. Larger groups will be split into different times or other days. Adult chaperones free (1 to 5 ratio) or at a reduced fee (greater than 1 to 5). Click here to request to schedule a group field trip.
Click here for details on planning your visit. We also coordinate group visits to Charlestown State Park, a hidden gem that is Indiana’s third largest state park.
Indoor Programs
From mid-November through April, park staff offers your choice from three fossil labs, a mineral lab and an archaeology lab. Each lasts about 50 minutes, and meets state education standards. Details of each lab can be found here.
Outdoor Programs
From May through mid-November (with typical weather and river levels), your group will experience an outdoor fossil lab or hike on the wondrous fossil beds. Programs run about 50 minutes. Details can be found here. Contact us – 812-280-9970 or park@fallsoftheohio.org
Outreach
The park’s team of highly trained Naturalist at Heart volunteers can visit your location and provide a program about the Falls of the Ohio or a lab for students. For outreach school program details and limitations, click here.
Learn more about our Naturalist at Heart Program.
Waldron Shale Project
This is a citizen science activity for your classroom that meets many education standards and fits in most existing curricula. Teach science and contribute to the greater understanding of an amazing fossil deposit. Students have so much fun they forget that they are learning! Learn more about the Waldron Shale Project here.
Visiting Your Site
Your community group can invite a speaker to your site to talk with your group about the park, the history of the Falls of the Ohio and related topics. Fossil labs can be transported to your site, and can be adapted to students, adults and seniors. Distance limitations apply.
Group Visit Grants
Thanks to the generosity and support of our donors, the Falls of the Ohio Foundation has grants available for groups, organizations, and schools to visit the Falls of the Ohio State Park and Interpretive Center at no cost – making the stories of our past accessible to everyone. The simple grant application is provided the Falls of the Ohio Foundation and, if approved, you can then schedule your visit to the Falls of the Ohio State Park. Please click here for more information, or to apply.