Exhibits
Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids
On Exhibit October 26 - March 22
How did the Vikings "prove" the existence of the unicorn? How did the legend of the griffin originate? Examine the relationship between real and imaginary creatures, and discover the beliefs, creativity, fear, and fantasy they inspire in cultures around the world.
Dragons, sea serpents, even the dreaded chupacabra populate this exhibit that shows us how myths are created, celebrated — and sometimes debunked. Explore familiar legends like Bigfoot, discover new mysteries, and learn how cultural artifacts reflect the impact of myths on society.
Photos © D. Finnin, R. Mickens /AMNH
Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org) in collaboration with The Field Museum, Chicago; Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau; Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney; and Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta.
| Format | Temporary Exhibit |
| Grades | 3 – 12 |
| Source/Publisher | n/a |
| Location | n/a |
| Website | Visit AMNH's website for this exhibit |
| Educator Guide | mythic_edguide.pdf |
| Related Links | Press release |
Presented by
Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids
+ View Detailed Standard Connections
Primary Connections:
Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework (2003)
(Massachusetts)
- History and Geography > Ancient China, c. 3000-200 BC/BCE (Grade: 4)
National Content Area Social Studies Standards
(National)
- Culture > Culture (Grade: 5 – 8)
- Culture > Culture (Grade: 9 – 12)
- Culture > Culture (Grade: 9 – 12)
- Culture > Culture (Grade: K – 4)
- Culture > Culture (Grade: K – 4)
- Culture > Culture (Grade: 5 – 8)
National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)
- History and Nature of Science > Historical perspectives (Grade: 9 – 12)
- History and Nature of Science > Science as a human endeavor (Grade: K – 4)
- Science as Inquiry > Understanding about scientific inquiry (Grade: 5 – 8)
- Science as Inquiry > Understandings about scientific inquiry (Grade: 9 – 12)
- Science as Inquiry > Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry (Grade: K – 4)
– View Concise Standard Connections
Primary Connections:
Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework (2003)
(Massachusetts)
- History and Geography > 4.7 Ancient China, c. 3000-200 BC/BCE (Grade: 4)
After visiting a museum, listening to a museum educator in school, or conducting research in the library, describe an animal, person, building, or design depicted in an ancient Chinese work of art.
National Content Area Social Studies Standards
(National)
- Culture > Culture (Grade: 5 – 8)
People from diverse cultural perspectives and frames may interpret information and experiences differently - Culture > Culture (Grade: 9 – 12)
Compare and analyze societal patterns for preserving and transmitting culture - Culture > Culture (Grade: 9 – 12)
Apply an understanding of culture as an integrated whole - Culture > Culture (Grade: K – 4)
People from diverse cultural perspectives may interpret experiences differently - Culture > Culture (Grade: K – 4)
Language, stories, folktales, and artists serve as expressions of culture - Culture > Culture (Grade: 5 – 8)
Language, literature, the arts, and other artifacts, traditions, beliefs, and behaviors contribute to the development and transmission of culture
National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)
- History and Nature of Science > Historical perspectives (Grade: 9 – 12)
The historical perspective of scientific explanations demonstrates how scientific knowledge changes by evolving over time, almost always building on earlier knowledge. - History and Nature of Science > Science as a human endeavor (Grade: K – 4)
Science and technology have been practiced by people for a long time. - Science as Inquiry > Understanding about scientific inquiry (Grade: 5 – 8)
Current scientific knowledge and understanding guide scientific investigations. Different scientific domains employ different methods, core theories, and standards to advance scientific knowledge and understanding. - Science as Inquiry > Understandings about scientific inquiry (Grade: 9 – 12)
Scientific explanations must adhere to criteria such as: a proposed explanation must be logically consistent; it must abide by the rules of evidence; it must be open to questions and possible modification; and it must be based on historical and current scientific knowledge. - Science as Inquiry > Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry (Grade: K – 4)
Ask a question about objects, organisms, and events in the environment.
Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids
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Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids
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