Ecotarium is a private, nonprofit institution that was founded in 1825 as the Worcester Lyceum of Natural History and was incorporated in 1884 as the Worcester Natural History Society. The institution offers a variety of environmental education programs for teachers, students and youths. It is a museum that offers science and nature education to children in kindergarten through grade 12. Ecotarium also organizes field trips. It additionally hosts business meetings, functions, corporate retreats and birthday parties. The institution also focuses in the areas of physical, life, earth and space science. In addition, Ecotarium organizes several recreational and social activities.