Debra Garcia y Griego, Cabinet Secretary for Department of Cultural Affairs | americansforthearts.org
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science has announced a series of new free public programs to be held in local libraries and community spaces starting in 2026. The initiative is part of the museum’s ongoing effort to expand its educational outreach and engage more residents across Albuquerque.
“Since expanding our educational outreach program this fall, we’ve built new partnerships and connected with our community in new ways,” said Stephanie Lukowski, Education Director at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. “As we move into 2026, we’re excited to launch a new set of programs bringing natural history to life for visitors.”
The museum introduced its “Natural History in your Neighborhood” outreach series earlier in September. Building on that momentum, it will now offer several age-specific programs:
- Children ages 0 to 8 can attend “Dino Discoveries: Carnivores vs. Herbivores,” which explores differences between meat-eating and plant-eating dinosaurs through stories and fossil examination.
- Tweens aged 9 to 12 can participate in “Critter Care 101,” where they learn about caring for insects, reptiles, and amphibians with live animals from the museum’s Naturalist Center.
- Teenagers between 13 and 18 are invited to join “To the Stars and Back,” a virtual reality experience exploring planets and constellations. This program requires advance registration and is limited to 15 participants per session.
These offerings will rotate through public libraries around Metro Albuquerque during winter and spring. Further information on schedules can be found at nmnaturalhistory.org. Libraries interested in hosting these events may contact NMMNHS Groups Coordinator Clare Harmon for details.
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science operates as a division within the Department of Cultural Affairs, under guidance from its Board of Trustees. Support for programming comes from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation and donors. Established in 1986, the museum focuses on preserving and interpreting New Mexico’s scientific heritage through collections, research, exhibits, and educational activities related to geoscience, bioscience, paleontology, mineralogy, space science, as well as housing a planetarium and large format theater.
The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs manages one of the largest state museum systems in the country with multiple sites dedicated to history, folk art, space history, heritage locations, arts grants, cultural preservation efforts, library resources and public education programs throughout New Mexico. The department employs about 500 staff members with assistance from roughly 1,000 volunteers annually who contribute approximately 70,000 hours each year. It was established by the legislature in 1978 and is overseen by a Cabinet Secretary appointed by the Governor.
The department’s primary offices are located at 407 Galisteo Street in Santa Fe.
