Learning Landscape
Welcome to our living outdoor "classroom"
From native plantings to a green roof, science learning continues outside of the Bell Museum. Our living outdoor “classroom” provides even more opportunities to learn about Minnesota’s biodiversity. Check out the links below to learn about activities and landscape features!
You are always welcome to visit the Learning Landscape during daylight hours.
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What do you notice?
Take a Picture for Science
Help University of Minnesota scientists study urban watersheds by taking a picture of the Bell Museum’s pond! Find the photo station in the Learning Landscape and follow the instructions there to take and upload your photo. Researchers will use your picture to investigate changes in the pond over time. Check out the photo collection to see what has been happening on the pond, and in other locations around the world!
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Explore the Learning Landscape
Pond Exploration
Become a pond scientist for the summer! Identify plants and animals, investigate water quality, and gather tools to explore the pond ecosystem on your own. Find this new cart activity in Horizon Hall or on the Learning Landscape!
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Geocaching on the Learning Landscape
Bell Art Find Read More
When’s the last time you went on a treasure hunt? We challenge you to try geocaching to find a prize!
Face to Face: A Swing. A Conversation. A Love Letter to the Planet
Face to Face is a public art installation designed to spark meaningful reflection about our relationship with the Earth. It is a hand-built wooden swing with two seats facing one another. A curated set of engraved questions sits between the seats. These questions gently guide participants into deeper dialogue—whether with each other or within themselves. These questions ask: what leads to loving the planet?
Want to try it out yourself? Learn more at the link below!
Click here to learn about Face to Face
Face to Face is the vision of artist Alyssa Baguss, with creative input from panelists Rachel Dunlap, Emily Dzieweczynski, and Erin Sharkey—artists, educators, and environmental stewards who helped shape the final set of 20 questions. The swing was designed and built by Tom Bierlein and Ryan Justak of Potluck.
There is so much to explore on our Learning Landscape! Some of the features include:
Landscaping for pollinators
Enjoy pollinator gardens and native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees while learning about the importance of pollinators in nature and society.
Geology exploration area
Large boulders representing Minnesota’s major rock types (basalt, limestone, sandstone, gneiss, etc.) encourage visitors to get to know the state’s geologic history.
Bird feeding stations
Observe birds at our bird feeding stations, generously donated by our friends at the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union—how many different species can you spot? Do you see any of these same birds in your neighborhood?
Green roof and observation deck
Experience sustainable design when you visit our green roof. Check out our event listings to find opportunities to use a high-powered telescope to explore the universe.
Weather stations
Can you find the Bell Museum’s weather station? Scientists use data from this station to study how changes in weather and climate influence pond ecology. You can see live updates from the weather station here!
Pond
Rainwater collected from the museum’s roof—supplemented with well water—supports a community of plants, insects, amphibians, and other aquatic life.
Solar station
A sundial surrounded by a circle of engraved paving lets visitors observe the time of day, the time of year, and the four cardinal directions.
Pollinator homes
The native plants growing around the museum provide food and shelter to dozens of pollinator species. Look for native bees, butterflies, beetles, and more as the flowers bloom this season. You might also spot some of the honey bees that live in the Bell Museum’s hives!