The Great Valley Museum feature permanent exhibits that contain over 200 taxidermy specimens and objects from our vast collections. These exhibits focus on the five existing habitats found in California before colonial settlement and agricultural expansion, dated pre-1800's. The displays feature plants and animal specimens from the Riparian, Alkali Sink, Oak Woodland, Vernal Pool, and Grassland habitats. In addition, we also showcase a display on the Indigenous Me-Wuk and Yokut Tribes that inhabited the Central Valley region of California.
Our Science on a Sphere, produced by NOAA, is a room-sized, global display system that projects visualizations of planetary data onto a six foot diameter sphere to help illustrate Earth System science to people of all ages. With over 500 datasets that include real-time worldwide events such as earthquakes, hurricanes and other phenomenon, our Science on a Sphere is sure to amaze guests of all ages.
Our Discovery Room is dedicated to hands-on activities and materials. This room also houses 2 dozen live animals including snakes, tarantulas, skinks and many others. During special events our staff and volunteers bring out our museum ambassadors to visit with guests.
A beautiful display that contains real samples of all the natural elements in the periodic table. With a touch screen to learn more about each element, it's sure to engage the Curie & Mendeleev in all of us.
Modesto Junior College is currently in consultation with local tribes to ensure the
protection and respectful treatment of all Native American cultural items in accordance
with Federal law (NAGPRA, CalNAGPRA). The Yokuts and Me-Wuk tribe exhibit will not
be displayed during these ongoing consultations.
For more information on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) visit the National Park Service website.
To learn more about the California Native American Graves Prodtection and Repatriation
Act (CalNAGPRA) visit the California Native American Heritage Commission website.
