Buffalo Bill
Cultural Center
Visit and Experience the Wild West
Each year, in January, schools across Kansas celebrate KANSAS DAY in commemoration of the birthday of our state on January 29th, 1861 when Kansas became the 34th state in the Union.
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January 29, 2014, the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center hosted its first annual program for K-8 grade students from all over Northwest Kansas. With assistance and support of The Nature Conservancy, Smoky Valley Ranch, and the Kansas Historical Society, Kansas Day in the Classroom, the program was a great success. We look forward to presenting programs each year on this important day, sharing our Kansas history and traditions. School classes are scheduled between 9 am and 3 pm. If time and weather allows, the students can also visit the sculpture. The program theme and content will change each year.
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Contact Brook Plummer at 785-671-1000 for program information and to schedule your class.
Kansas Day Program 2025
Dust Bowl Days
The Buffalo Bill Cultural Center will present programs supported by the Logan County Conservation District and the Goodland Weather Service. Students will learn about life growing up during the Dust Bowl. Teachers may call any time to book their classes. The 2025 Program is available on Wednesday January 29th and Thursday January 30th.
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At the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, the students will go on a scavenger hunt to learn about the cause and effects the dust bowl had on farmers as well as daily living. We will have a simulator room where the students will get to experience the dust bowl in action (minus the actual dust). The Goodland Weather Service will be teaching students about the weather patterns that lead up to a dust storm!
Kansas Day Program 2023
Western Kansas Discoveries
Western Kansas Discoveries -In partnership with area museums and The Nature Conservancy, Kindergarten through 8th grade classes are invited to explore discoveries from the past to modern day. The program is being generously supported by the Friends of Cottonwood Ranch and the Logan County Community Foundation.
Kansas Day Program 2022
Animals of the Plains
Animals of the Plains – interactive presentation by the Rolling Hills Zoo, Salina, Kansas. Students saw and learned about some of our Kansas plains animals. Fun Facts the students learned: Opossums do not carry rabies. They eat LOTS of ticks. They are not affected by venomous snakes and will eat one if bitted. They carry their babies in their pouch and are only pregnant for 13 days. They will only about a year in the wild. Pronghorns are neither antelope or deer – they are their own species. If you think they have horns, you are right. If you think they have antlers, you are also right. Buffalo are technically Bison, bison, bison (Yes, three in a row – family, genus, species). The rattles on a rattlesnake do not indicate its age, only the number of times it has shed its skin. And, No, porcupines do not shoot their quills.