stem field trips massachusetts

Boston STEM trips will create lifelong memories for your students. Educational Destinations offers a variety of Boston STEM trip opportunities. If your students are ready to get hands-on with science, technology and engineering in interactive workshops at the MIT Museum, participate in a gallery hunt at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology or explore EcoTarium’s vast 55-acre grounds and captivating museum, Educational Destinations will make your Boston STEM trip rewarding and memorable.

Educational destinations is the 1st choice for boston stem trips and boston education travel..

Find out why Educational Destinations is the 1st choice in educational Boston group tours

View our 2 minute intro video to see what Educational Destinations can do for your group.

Encourage your students as they learn about FIRST® Robotics competitions and challenges, STEAM Education Programs at Cape Cod's Nature Place, or experience the MSC Outreach Program. After time spent learning, your students will enjoy grand museums, engaging attractions and possibly even teleport to an abandoned starship at 5 Wits! Boston has so much to offer your students that are ready to open their minds to STEM!

 Below are some popular options for your educational STEM trip. You can also click on the PDF icon for a download of these features.

Educational STEM Opportunities

• LEGO Mindstorm Workshops
• FIRST Robotics Laboratorys
• Hands-on Tasks, Puzzles, and Challenges
• Whale Watching (Seasonal)
• Illuminating Protein Expression Workshops
• Make to Move Workshops
• Structural Engineering: Building Better Bridges Workshops
• Physics and Photography Workshops
• Advanced Robotics Workshops
• DNA and Protein Synthesis Workshops
• Campus Tours
• Special Guest Presentations
• Full STEAM Ahead: Ocean Workshops
• Exploring Evolution
• Climate Change Class
• Human Origins
• New England’s Prehistoric Past
• Robotics Touraments
• Structural Engineering Workshop
• Electricity Workshops
• The Light House Exhibit
• Weather Wonders
• Outdoor Explorations
• Planetarium Programs and Presentations
• Wonders of the Night Sky
• Hands-On Marine Science Workshops
• Workshop on FIRST training for first year robotics teams
• Introduction to FIRST Tech Challenge
• Hands-on training workshop in VEX robotics
• Fundraising for a FIRST Robotics Team Workshops
• Crate building workshop
• Simple Machine Workshops
• Introduction to Robotics Workshops
• Visualizing Science Workshops
• Sail Through Engineering Workshops
• Climate Action
• Body Worlds
• Colossal Fossil
• Design Challenges
• Animal Presentations
• Science Mysteries
• Super-Cold Science
• Seeing is Decieving
• Planetarium Shows
• Anthropological Presentations

STEM Attractions

• FIRST® Robotics
• Northeastern University Marine Science Center
• Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology
• Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
• Franklin Park Zoo
• Warren Anatomical Museum
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Harvard Museum of Natural History
• Museum of Science
• Boston Children's Museum
• New England Aquarium
• BUA Robotics | Boston University
• Curry College
• Discovery Museum
• Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation
• McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

Other Attractions

• Boston National Historical Park
• Freedom Trail Walking Tour
• Boston Symphony & Pops
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace
• John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Blue Man Group
• Boston Harbor Cruise
• Forest Hills Cemetery
• Six Flags New England
• Boston's Old Burying Grounds
• U.S.S. Constitution Museum
• Skywalk Observatory
• The Paul Revere House
• Metropolitan Waterworks Museum
• Fenway Park
• Boston Common and Public Garden Swan Boats
• Beacon Hill
• Harvard Square and Harvard Art Museums
• Candlelight Tours of Salem
• Old Sturbridge Village
• Plimoth Plantation
• Revolutionary War Sites
• Kayaking on the Charles River

The Trip Account app is offered to our groups as they travel.

Included in your trip, group leaders, staff, chaperones and travelers will use the information packed, versatile Trip Account App during their travels.

Powerful Director Tools

Interactive Checklists, Pop Up Communications, Emergency Notifications.

Tools for all travelers

Live Itineraries, Group Messaging, Photo Gallery and much more.

Everything you need for your next trip .

The Trip Account app is available for iPhone and Android.

See our difference

It’s no surprise that Educational Destinations sets and exceeds student travel standards. We aim to provide the best service, communication, experience and safety for all of our groups. When researching for your travel provider, please download this PDF checklist HERE to ensure that your group is taking advantage of all of the essential building blocks of a successful, safe, and FUN trip! If you have questions or are ready to get started on your next trip, please call 800.616.1112 or request your customized quote .

Custom Designed Trips

ED will create a custom designed trip for your group that is shaped by your priorities, goals and wishes, and powered by your passions. ED is committed to listening and working one-on-one with you to build the perfect trip for your students. There are no stock trips here - just your trip.

Group Travel Specialists

Led by award-winning teachers, ED exceeds the needs and expectations of students, teaching staff, parents and administrators. ED anticipates group needs and delivers group wishes, without surprises or hidden costs. Our experience and expertise enable us to bring the best quality trips, events, experiences and opportunities to your group.

All-Inclusive Price

ED’s custom trips are cost-effective and inclusive, without hidden costs – a great value for your travelers. Charter coaches, flights, hotels, meals, sightseeing, events, taxes and gratuities are covered for each traveler. A 24/7 Emergency Contact System is included for each traveling group.

Cutting Edge Technology

Through ED's parent company, ED is the only student travel company providing Trip Account , an internet-based program that provides you a complete trip resource center 24 hours a day. Also included in your trip is the Trip Account App: Music Directors, group leaders, staff, chaperones and travelers will use the information packed, versatile Trip Account App during their travels.

Personal Tour Director

A signature feature of every trip is the ED Tour Director , always right by the teacher’s side, managing all travel aspects of your trip: transportation, events, meals, lodging, tickets and more. Our TD’s training and management skills let the teacher focus on the students and education.

Safety is Priority #1

ED is pro-active on safety, sending the Tour Director World Aware® alerts, sharing best practices in travel safety, emergency procedures and travel hints with chaperones and staff, ensuring traveler accountability, monitoring vendor service/performance and tellng travelers of changes or emergencies with the Trip Account App .

Trusted Leader in Travel

ED is an active member of these respected travel suppliers and organizations: Walt Disney World & Disneyland, Universal Orlando, American Bus Association, National Band Association, National Tour Association, Student Youth Travel Association and more. View all ED’s partners and awards here .

Doing the right thing

ED is deeply committed to high quality educational group travel. We love what we do, and we work hard to do it better than everyone. Creating memorable performance trips that leave positive, life-changing impressions on your students and community is a privilege that we don’t take lightly. Please talk to us about your next trip.

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Check out our featured STEM destinations.

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Meet the ED Travel Designers

Our team is focused on creating custom trips that provide relevant, memorable and rewarding student travel experiences. learn more

Discover our featured history destinations.

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Explore our our featured art destinations.

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Fund Raising for your educational student trip.

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See why teachers are excited about Educational Destinations...

Hear from our valued clients throughout the world.

Since 1987, Educational Destinations, led by passionate, award-winning teachers, has become the first choice for educational student group travel. By listening to teachers, providing cutting edge technology and unmatched service, and having dedicated ED Tour Directors conduct trips, Educational Destinations has built an unmatched reputation. Focused on designing custom trips that provide educational, memorable, and rewarding student travel experiences, Educational Destinations successfully partners with customers to do just that, in destinations within the United States and worldwide. Decades of combined travel expertise, earned in dozens of countries, enables Educational Destinations to anticipate performance needs and deliver group wishes, without surprises or hidden costs.

I wanted to write and tell you what a terrific job you did with our trip. I’ve been traveling since 1980 and this was the easiest trip ever for me. I simply had to do nothing but teach! It’s hard to believe it’s taken me this long to get it right, slow learner! The students and parents have had nothing to say but wonderful things…

Nan Moore Male High School

You have been so wonderful with our parents and students throughout the entire course of this tour. I am so glad we signed on with Music Travel Consultants/Educational Destinations as you gave our group the red carpet treatment every step of the way.

Janis Stackhouse Bloomington High School North

Music Travel Consultants/Educational Destinations is top-notch. The professionalism of the staff and their attention to detail is a director’s dream come true. My students and I have traveled with them four times over the past several years and I can say that “I won’t leave home without them!

Jena Adrianson Lawrence Central High School

I can’t say enough good things about Educational Destinations. They had everything covered and it was a relaxing and fun trip. My students and parents commented that it was the best trip we have ever taken. I’m ready to plan another trip with this company.

Brenda Bergman Jay County School Corporation

I recently had the pleasure of going on a Disney Trip with our band from Eastern High School in Greentown, IN. I was skeptical about going but am so glad I did. My Grandson and I came in rather late and had no problems whatsoever in getting onto your site, paying for our trip, and having confirmation that we were good to go.

Dianna Workinger Greentown, IN

Being able to trust implicitly the people who are planning what we will see, the timing of the itinerary, and the traveling arrangements is comforting not only to our staff but also to our parents. For our parents to know that this is a company that we use year after year with great results gives them the peace of mind that their children will experience the safest trip possible.

Mrs. Kathy Schubel Principal, St. Bartholomew Catholic School

I wanted to thank you so much for such a great trip! Our kids had a wonderful time and I could not imagine how we would have seen all that we were able to see without having you organize this trip for us.

Angie Remington Madison-Grant Elementary Students

I have worked with Educational Destinations on a yearly basis since 2001 and ED is the best educational travel group our school has ever worked with. It is refreshing to know that during the course of a trip that if any questions or problems arise, we have the consultant, whom we have worked with all year, right there with us to answer all questions and take care of the tickets and timing. It makes the trip very relaxing and enjoyable and a trip our kids never forget.

Darrin Russell 8th Grade U.S. History, Mitchell High School

I have been coordinating educational field trips for my school for the past 10 years and could not be happier with Educational Destinations. From the very first brainstorming session to the moment we return home from our trip, Educational Destinations works tirelessly to make sure our trips are memorable and successful. They are always quick to answer my questions, which I truly appreciate. Michael, Robin, and Ryan have been fantastic to work with over the years and I highly recommend them!

Kris Samick Spencer-Owen Community School Corporation

Educational Destinations has taken the stress out of planning and traveling with a large group. As a teacher, I am now able to actually enjoy the time I have with my students instead of worrying about all of the necessary details. From the very first contact made to the last moment of the trip and beyond, each and every person we have interacted with from Educational Destinations has been professional, concerned about fulfilling our needs, and exceptionally conscientious.

Linda Crady History Teacher, Sycamore School

• Climate Change
• Engineering

Plan a Field Trip

Explore, imagine, delight. Organize a Museum visit to enrich learning with exciting new exhibits and programs! By reserving a field trip, visitors agree to comply with the Museum’s full code of conduct .

School field trip reservations for the 2023 –   24 school year are now open!

Make a Reservation

Please review the helpful guide below for details around organizing a field trip.

Programs fill to capacity and there is a limit to daily school group admissions. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Please note: school field trips and programs are not offered during Massachusetts holidays and school vacation periods.

Call Science Central at 617-723-2500 to make a reservation. We are available 7 days a week, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Field Trip Reservation Fees

The Museum has limited funding available for students who qualify for field trip assistance. Please inquire about this if there is a need.

Multiple visits: If you return with the same students, you receive 50% off Exhibit Halls admission. When making reservations, inform Science Central that you will be visiting more than once with your students.

Field Trip Rates are not available during MA school vacation weeks.

**The $5.00 Exhibit Halls admission during the months of September, October, and January is available for schools with a population of economically disadvantaged students at or above 25%.

Theater Shows

Fees vary for reserved field trip add-on programs. Receive a discount if you reserve a show along with Exhibit Halls Admission. All prices shown are per-person.

School rates are available to accredited public and private pre-K – 12 schools that deliver compulsory education (primary purpose is required by law), except during Massachusetts school holidays and vacation periods.

School rates are also available for schools with extended days (all children enrolled in the school are involved in extended school hours) or schools in session through the summer months. After-school groups or out-of-school programs are not eligible for the school group rates.

Cost Planning, Savings and Scholarships

Payment for your field trip is required upon arrival and must cover the full number of students, chaperones, and teachers in your reservation.

Accepted Payment Types

Purchase orders: Arrange at least five days in advance with Science Central. Any amount above the approved purchase order amount must be paid in person via cash, school check, or credit card.

Cash: Large bills are appreciated.

Checks: Must be made out to Museum of Science. No personal checks. Bring check with you the day of your visit — please do not mail.

Credit cards: MC, VISA, Discover, or AMEX

Payments not accepted for field trip participants

• family memberships
• overnight patches
• free passes
• discount coupons

Eligible schools can take advantage of special pricing for field trips available during these months. Exhibit Halls admission for students and chaperones is $5 per person. This discount is available for schools with a population of economically disadvantaged students above 25%.

Pair your discounted Exhibit Halls admission with an IMAX film for just $4 more. To find out if your school qualifies for any scholarships: 617-723-2500.

If you plan to return to the Museum with the same students, they may receive 50% off Exhibit Halls admission for the second visit. When making reservations, please inform Science Central that you will be visiting more than once with your group.

Reduced Exhibit Halls admission is available for qualifying schools. Please note that funding is limited and is distributed first come, first served.

Important: If your group size changes after you make your reservation, you must notify us by 4:00 pm on the day before your visit. Contact Science Central by phone: 617-723-2500, or email: [email protected].

There are no refunds for dropped numbers on the day of your visit. Additional participants above 5 per 100 will be charged regular Exhibit Halls admission. There are no same-day refunds if you reduce your number of participants by more than 5 per 100. Any additions are subject to availability and are not guaranteed entrance to IMAX films or other shows/programs.

Please notify Science Central in the event of a cancellation: 617-723-2500, [email protected].

• One chaperone per 10 students is required for grade levels pre-K – 8.
• One chaperone per 15 students is required for grade levels 9 – 12.
• Chaperones must stay with students at all times and are responsible for the safety of the students and the exhibits they visit.
• Chaperones must be at least 21 years old.
• Educators and chaperones should act as facilitators, encouraging inquiry, and assisting students in navigating Museum Exhibit Halls and programs safely and appropriately.
• Stay with pre-assigned chaperone-sized group at all times, regardless of the students' ages.
• Adhere to the code of conduct established by school systems and community centers. Behavior that is not acceptable at schools and community centers is not acceptable at the Museum of Science. Please note: the Museum is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property.
• Sit together with students in venues such as the Mugar Omni Theater, Planetarium, 4-D Theater, and the Theater of Electricity.

Booking Details

There is no bus parking on Museum grounds except for drop-off and pickup. Buses may park at the Boston Autoport in Charlestown.

Chaperones and teachers may park cars in the Museum garage and will receive a $10 flat rate. In order to receive this discount, you must turn in your chaperone badge at the Information Desk at the end of your visit. Please note that credit or debit cards are the only form of payment accepted for garage transaction.

Field trip participants may either purchase lunches in the Riverview Café or bring bag lunches. NOTE: Due to space limitations in the café, you must reserve a 30-minute time slot for lunch when making your field trip reservation.

Pre-order meals are available for $7.25 per person.

Offered in the Riverview Café. Reserved seating, no hassles, and speedy service. Spend time enjoying your lunch instead of waiting in line.

We offer a choice of:

• Black Forest Ham and American Cheese on Sliced White Bread
• Roast Turkey and Cheddar Sub
• Chicken Caesar Salad
• Hummus and Fresh Cut Veggie Box
• Black Angus ¼ Cheeseburger
• Individual Brick Oven 3 Cheese Pizza

Available in any monetary amount. Purchase them through Science Central, 617-723-2500.

If you plan to eat your bag lunch in the Riverview Café, please note that seating is currently limited. You must reserve a lunch space and mealtime when you make your field trip reservation. Bins will be provided for the storage of your group’s coats, bags, backpacks, and lunches upon arrival. Please advise students not to bring or store valuable items; the Museum cannot assume responsibility for lost or damaged items.

Home School Information

Home school groups of at least nine visitors can make reservations over the phone and gain access to discounted school group pricing for teachers, chaperones, and students.

We encourage you to collaborate to form larger groups and set up a reservation. Call Science Central at 617-723-2500. Groups of fewer than nine should go to the Box Office where normal admission rates apply.

Frequent home school visitors will find Museum membership to be a better value than standard box office pricing. We offer several levels of membership, all of which include a variety of benefits such as IMAX and Planetarium passes, discounted parking, and admission to other science museums.

Learn about membership levels and benefits

Many public libraries throughout Massachusetts provide Museum of Science passes that allow up to four people per day to visit the Museum's Exhibit Halls at a significantly reduced rate.

These passes can be used for your home school visit. Contact your local library to find out if they participate and how to reserve your pass.

Drop-In Activities

Students can get hands-on science experience with our Drop-In Activities. Investigate human biology at the Biogen Foundation Exploration Hub or create like an engineer with Design Challenges in our Engineering Design Workshop!

To help us better accommodate your group during your field trip, please contact us to discuss planning a drop-in activity into your trip schedule.

For the Biogen Foundation Exploration Hub please email [email protected] . For Design Challenges please email [email protected] .

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Ready to Book your Field Trip?

Set up a Trip now!

Stem in the community, 9 stem field trips in the cape cod region.

By Shayla Flaherty and Rachel Dragos

Students who take part in field trips have better grades and higher graduation rates from high school and college. Additionally, 89% of adults in a recent study reported that educational trips had been a positive experience and had a lasting impact on their education, career, and lives.

During the COVID pandemic, students were not able to engage in hands-on, experiential, and connection-based learning that field trips provide. Field trip-based learning boosts student engagement, increases motivation, and promotes learning. Field trips also connect students to local STEM efforts and organizations, benefiting the local community. We hope this school year will see a resurgence in field trips.

The list below features unique STEM field trips in the Cape Cod region and community partners that are eager to open their doors to schools. Our region may be known for its beautiful ecology, but you can find great engineering, technology, and even astronomy STEM trips are here too. With the 2023 - 2024 school year approaching, consider planning a field trip for your classroom. And if you do, let us know about it!

1. Penikese Island School in Woods Hole

Penikese Island provides the perfect setting for fostering environmental literacy and stewardship. Penikese Island School, Inc, is a non-profit organization established in 1973 and based in Woods Hole, MA. Since 2019, Penikese Island School has operated as an immersive educational experience where Penikese Island is the classroom (Penikese Island School).

School trips bring local students in grades 4-12 to Penikese for a day of exploration, discovery, learning, and connection. These trips use curiosity to foster personal connection with nature while inspiring a lifelong respect for the environment, with students exploring their “own backyard” and strengthening their understanding of our coastal region.

Penikese Island school trips are generally offered for grades 4-8 but are open to high school and college level trips as well. Penikese Island is a 45-minute boat ride from Woods Hole. In addition to day trips, Penikese can also host overnight trips for 12-15 guests. A teacher from Sturgis Charter School in Hyannis described their experience at Penikese; they said, "Large enough to get lost on, but small enough to have a sense of the whole, Penikese is a point of sacred geography. Taking a group of fifteen high school kids to this island was one of the best and most impactful experiences I have had as an educator. It was great to see how the kids flourished in this unstructured environment away from technology and normal social roles. It also provided a truly unique opportunity for me to connect with students and colleagues.”

Ages: Elementary school through college

Science Curriculum Connections: Ecosystems, environmental exploration, marine science, bird observation, setting for an art inspiration or leadership development course, natural history, ect.

Contact: Kimberly Ulmer, Executive Director - [email protected]

2. Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center in Sandwich

The Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC), a division of the Barnstable County Department of Health and the Environment, is the nation’s premier third-party testing and research facility for innovative/alternative (I/A) enhanced onsite septic treatment technologies. MASSTC is located on a two-acre parcel adjacent to the Joint Base Cape Cod military facility and comprises approximately two dozen test and research systems and associated wastewater infrastructure, offices, a laboratory, water reuse demonstration gardens, and other related projects.

Tour guests can expect to take a walk around the site while staff point out various test and research systems describing their design, function, performance, maintenance requirements, etc. and engage in discussion about related topics of interest. MASSTC hosts site tours with groups ranging from interested citizens, organized watershed protection groups, students, teachers, decision-makers, and regulators. Guests always leave feeling inspired, excited, interested, and informed about these very important topics of water pollution, wastewater treatment, and management.

Ages: Middle school and beyond

Science Curriculum Connections: Water pollution, nutrient management, chemical and biological treatment of wastewater to remove nutrients, ecological sanitation, nutrient recycling, etc.

Contact: Bryan Horsley, MASSTC Project Assistant - [email protected]

3. Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay

You might think of Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) for college tours, but did you know that MMA has a bridge simulator, wind turbine engineering labs, and aquaculture labs to visit?

A tour at MMA is fully immersive and will take students around to see the engineering labs where they can observe and learn about turbines and engines as well as welding labs. Attendees will have the chance to see Mass Maritime’s many simulators such as the 360-bridge simulator and the EOTC where the Emergency Management Students train. Students can tour the aquaculture lab where cadets study marine life and the effects of climate change and pollution. Visits include a full tour of Mass Maritime’s facilities and possibly lunch in the mess hall pending the size of the group.

Specifically, addressed on the tour, the MMA full mission bridge simulator creates a mathematical model of a ship that behaves like its real-life counterpart. Cadets work together with classmates and experienced, licensed mariners to learn specialized skills and teamwork to prepare for situations they will encounter in commercial shipping and navigation. Some of these situations include undocking a tanker in Japan, transiting the Strait of Gibraltar in heavy traffic, handling a ship in heavy weather, and returning to MMA’s own home port in Buzzards Bay. The goal is to give cadets the skills they need to function as an effective bridge team member.

Ages: Middle school and high school

Science Curriculum Connections: Engineering, career pathways, manufacturing, sustainability, energy systems, marine navigation and shipping, aquaculture, environmental science, emergency management, ect.

Contact: Dana Ferris, Assistant Director Projects and Events- [email protected] - 508-830-6600

4. Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in Chatham

The mission of Atlantic White Shark Conservancy is to improve public safety, support scientific research, and educate the community to inspire white shark conservation. White sharks are top predators within marine ecosystems that play a critical role in maintaining a healthy and balanced habitat (Atlantic White Shark Conservancy).

Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s in-school programs are designed for all grade levels. Programs can be customized for an individual class, grade level, or full school. The hands-on programming can include mock shark tagging, lessons on shark anatomy, learning about fossils through shark teeth investigations, and white shark identification. The Conservancy also offers hands-on experiences for students at their Shark Center Chatham location. Students are invited to tour the museum and participate in an experiential lesson in the learning lab during their time at the facility.

"The connection between our home environment and the animals that we share it with is priceless," said one teacher visitor. "It's a goal of education to tie classroom learning to real-life experiences and this is extremely prevalent with the Great White Shark. And, who better to educate us than the people who know the most!"

Ages: All grade levels

Science Curriculum Connections: White Shark anatomy / biology, habitat and ecosystems knowledge, conservation, skill learning such as shark tagging, identification, fossil knowledge, ect.

Contact : Kristen Smith, Community Engagement Manager - [email protected]

5. The Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown

Image courtesy of Center for Coastal Studies.

The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) is a non-profit organization committed to understanding, preserving, and protecting marine ecosystems and coastal environments through related research, education, and public policy endeavors (Center for Coastal Studies).

The Center for Coastal Studies offers a wide range of potential field trip opportunities. The organization works with all age ranges from PK-college. The Center for Coastal Studies offers hands-on programs on plankton and marine animal disentanglement for students ages PK-8th. Some programs focus on marine plastic pollution, including beach cleanup service projects. These programs are geared to grades 6th-college. Field trips are offered for water quality testing for grades 5th-college. Tidal flat exploration programs are available for students in grades 1st-8th. The Center conducts field walks focusing on local marine wildlife: whales, seals and sharks in the spring and fall respectively.

The Center's main building holds an exhibit of a whale skeleton, named Spinnaker. The Center creates programming centered on Spinnaker’s story and the disentanglement and humpback studies program. Spring (March-April) is best for whale walk field trips, May-June is best for tidal flats, and June & September-October are the best times for seal walks. Water quality testing and plastic pollution programs as well as the Spinnaker exhibit and lecture are available all year. The Center Education Program also visits schools onsite for programming as well.

Nancy Flasher, a teacher at Provincetown Schools, shared how integral CCS has been to their schools' programming: "CCS has been a vital part of the current sciences and service learning programs in Provincetown Schools, an International Baccalaureate school dedicated to making worldly connections that lead to greater understanding of what sustains life on Planet Earth."

Ages: PK through college depending on the program

Science Curriculum Connections: Marine life, environmental stewardship, water quality monitoring, marine and animal disentanglement, plastic pollution, ect.

Contact: Jesse Mechling - [email protected] - 508-487-3623 x 114

6. Aviation Maintenance Technology Program at Cape Cod Community College Aviation in Barnstable

Images courtesy of Cape Cod Community College.

The Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program at Cape Cod Community College prepares students for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certification and lays the foundation for an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Aviation Maintenance, which is eligible for transfer into a variety of four-year programs. AMT’s repair and service nearly every part and system of an aircraft, including landing gear, aircraft structure, and engine systems (Cape Cod Community College).

At the Cape Cod Community College Aviation Maintenance Technology Program, there is availability to host programs and field trips for students and adults who have an interest in this STEM pathway with a future in Aviation Maintenance and Aerospace Engineering.

Students and adults who are seeking this exciting opportunity at Cape Cod Community College’s state of the art facility can come and tour the facility and learn more about the program, which trains the future generations of Aviation Maintenance Technicians giving them the chance to not only graduate from the program with a professional certification but also a college degree earning them an AAS Degree in 24 months.

“As a teacher at Brockton High School, I have brought numerous groups of students to Cape Cod Community College to tour the facility and ask questions about the programs at 4Cs," said Eric Brunelle at Brockton High School. "Students that have an interest in things mechanical are struck by the organization and procedures that are taught at 4Cs. The shops are immaculate, and students can sense that this is much more than being a “mechanic for planes.” - Eric Brunelle, Brockton High School

Ages : All ages

Science Curriculum Connections: Career development and pathways, aviation maintenance, aerospace engineering and structure, engine technology, ect.

Contact: David Ricci - [email protected] & [email protected]

7. Mass Audubon School Programs in Barnstable or Wellfleet

Mass Audubon Cape Cod consists of six wildlife sanctuaries, including two with nature centers and laboratory classrooms at Long Pasture and Wellfleet Bay. Mass Audubon sanctuaries are home to a variety of coastal habitats including salt marshes, sandy beaches, and tidal flats, as well as forest and freshwater wetlands, vernal pools, and ponds (Mass Audubon).

Mass Audubon offers multiple different options for engagement with youth groups with one being the school programs stationed in Cape Cod for grades Pre-K to 12. Mass Audubon provides hands-on, inquiry-based experiences with science content and practices through field studies and classroom explorations. The educational encounters at Mass Audubon enhance students’ scientific understanding of species and habitats; ecological concepts such as food webs, cycles, systems, adaptation, and evolution; climate change; and interrelationships between people and nature (Mass Audubon). School programs can be held at the individual’s school, at Mass Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries, or wherever nature is most accessible to the individual. Mass Audubon provides engaging, exciting, meaningful, and enduring education programs, field trips, and learning activities for students with a broad range of physical, sensory, and learning needs (Mass Audubon). To learn more about the specific programs and pricing, check out the Mass Audubon School Programs

Ages : Pre-K - Grade 12

Science Curriculum Connections: Salt marsh ecology, food web dynamics, nature discovery, climate change, species interactions, natural history, environmental awareness, ect.

Contact: [email protected] - massaudubon.org/wellfleet - 508-349-2615

8. Zephyr Education Foundation in Woods Hole

Images courtesy of Zephyr Education Foundation.

The Zephyr Education Foundation is a non-profit organization created to support marine science awareness and education through hands-on field activities (Zephyr Education Foundation).

Zephyr Education Foundation’s Ocean Science Program hosts middle and high school classes that come to Woods Hole. Students participate in a 1 ½ hour hands-on scientific ‘cruise’ on Vineyard Sound where Zephyr Education Foundation deploys an underwater video camera to view different habitats, collect specimens used in research, and conduct a plankton tow. Other activities in Woods Hole include going into WHOI’s marine specimen aquarium room, touring the WHOI dock, and visiting the WHOI Discovery Center and NOAA’s Science Aquarium. The program operates in the spring, summer, and fall.

A teacher who attended the Ocean Science Program called it "an experience of a lifetime" and shared that students could not "stop talking about the boat, the dredging and of course the horseshoe crab." Another teacher said: "Finally doing real science!"

Ages: Middle school through high school

Science Curriculum Connections: Marine biology, environmental and oceanographic field data collection studies, underwater robotics / equipment, ship knowledge, ect.

Contact: Rob Reynolds - [email protected] - 508 566 7790

9. Blake Planetarium in Plymouth

Images courtesy of Blake Planetarium Plymouth Public Schools.

The Blake Planetarium is the only 4K full dome planetarium south of Boston, offering breathtaking views on its dome screen with high resolution video playback, real time multimedia, multi-channel surround sound, and classic astronomy tools that take visitors on fantastic voyages (Blake Planetarium Plymouth Public Schools).

Blake Planetarium can offer programs associated with the planetarium. Grade specific recommendations are made with related content and curriculum including topics such as cycles in the sky, weather, earth motions, phases and eclipses, solar systems and galaxies, climate change, chemistry of life and evolution, and the big bang. Each curriculum includes educational learning objectives, guided questions, and dome screen videos. The full list of programs and descriptions can be viewed on the Plymouth Public Schools Website

All ages are welcome at the Blake Planetarium. Programs are held year-round in the planetarium, including in the summer and even during the school days. The K-12 programs are matched to the MA STE framework. Typically, the programs are 1 hour in length, but can be adjusted to meet the needs of any specific group. Programs can be reserved using the link .

"We thought the program was great!" said a teacher. "It was easy to set up and the presentation was paced well and filled with information. All the children truly seemed to enjoy the presentation and were very positive about the experience."

Ages: All Ages

Science Curriculum Connections: Astronomy, climate change, solar system, gravity, energy, space, ect.

Contact: Steve Davies, Planetarium Program Provider - [email protected] - 508-830-4470

Do you have a STEM field trip to add to our list? Let us know at [email protected].

STEM Field Trips

STEM-focused field trip experiences for local schools, covering a wide variety of hands-on activities.

Young Scholars Program

Offers future scientists and engineers a unique opportunity for hands-on lab experience while still in high school.

Summer STEM Program

Two-week academic day program that emphasizes increasing students’ mathematics/science skills, introducing them to college life, and stimulating their interest in science and engineering as a potential career path.

NSF/S-STEM scholarship program for undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing engineering careers in the energy field.

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Various STEM programming available for interested Boston Public Schools and Boston Public Library Branches.

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What We Do Create, consolidate, and coordinate new and existing outreach programs that have a significant impact on the STEM pipeline, on STEM teaching and learning in GK-16, on GK-12 STEM outreach, and on STEM Education Research. This Center focuses on solidifying Northeastern University’s role as a major contributor to the improvement of K-16 Education in Boston and the state of Massachusetts. Please take a look at our Programs Timeline for a look at what we do.

Mission The Center for STEM Education at Northeastern University seeks to build and support a community of educators, researchers, and students, with the collective goal of strengthening the K-20 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) educational ecosystem.

• Increase student interest and improve student performance in STEM subjects by designing, supporting, and implementing academic and extracurricular programs in STEM fields.
• Expand the opportunities for traditionally under-represented groups to engage in STEM studies and pursue STEM-related careers.
• Strengthen mentoring and support of students interested and/or engaged in STEM fields.
• Drive the field of STEM education by encouraging intra-departmental and cross-institutional collaboration, providing resources and expertise for STEM faculty to strengthen and expand Broader Impact requirements in their research, disseminate research findings in STEM education, and sharing best practices within the institution and beyond.
• Serve as a recognized leader in the design and implementation of STEM education-related programs while helping Northeastern to achieve distinction in this field.

History of NSF-Supported Education Work in CoE at Northeastern

Center for STEM Education Brochure

The Center for STEM Education is a part of Northeastern University’s College of Engineering and is committed to and strongly supports diversity .

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Preparing the workforce of tomorrow, by inspiring students’ passion for science & technology today..

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" is a question often asked to kids. While their answers may vary – from firefighter or movie star to zoo keeper or nurse, they all exhibit enthusiasm and a desire to be successful.

iSPACE helps students be successful by exposing them to STEM principles found in the most in-demand career fields.  From coding and chemistry to rocketry and robotics, iSPACE provides immersive field trips, summer camps and special events that give kids a chance to encounter STEM subjects in a fun and exciting way.  

iSPACE also provides top-notch educator and professional development programs to expand STEM instructional strategies and techniques in schools.

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SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS

iSPACE field trips inspire a love of STEM learning in students. Each of our uniquely designed programs are interactive, engaging, and designed to align with STEM curriculum standards across grade levels.

Give your child the experience of a lifetime, while building their technical, leadership and interpersonal skills.

ENLIGHTENING

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The iSPACE Educator Academy offers iTEACH workshops, LEGO education kit training and our annual professional development seminar. Each provides teachers with first-hand learning experiences to enhance their teaching of STEM topics and help enrich STEM education in schools.

ALIGNED TO STATE STANDARDS

Our programs are age/grade appropriate and align to state grade level standards.

LOW PUPIL/TEACHER RATIO

With 15 students per instructor, each student receives significant hands-on learning.

MINIMAL STUDENT DOWNTIME

Instructions/STEM concepts are incorporated directly into activities.

iSPACE staff take care of everything from program set-up and clean-up

PROGRAM QUALITY

Curricula efficacy is independently certified by the University of Cincinnati ESC.

PROGRAM VARIETY

Our comprehensive list of STEAM programs can inspire and challenge every participant.

MORE THAN STEM

In addition to STEM concepts, our programs teach 21st Century skills like problem-solving, teamwork and communication.

Our hands-on, mind-on programs are experiential from start to finish. Students BECOME scientists, engineers, programmers, etc. for the time they are with us.

QUALIFIED EDUCATORS

All programs are taught by trained iSPACE personnel – all of whom have Education and/or STEM degrees OR extensive experience teaching.

HERE'S WHAT EDUCATORS HAVE TO SAY..

iSPACE will ruin you for the traditional passive field trip. Our students worked in pairs to create a LEGO model and then wrote computer code to make the alligator's mouth open and shut. Our trip to iSPACE demonstrated STEM learning at its finest.

I was in the educator class last year and just wanted to give an update! So after a full year of using iSPACE activities to supplement (and many times lead) my science teaching this year, the kids had an amazing time!! Plus, I got the feeling that the 5th grade test scores will probably improve over the last year!

The iMISSION experience helped my students experience, hands-on, some of the science concepts I was teaching in class. It also incorporated other skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, math, etc. Those are skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.

My expectations for this experience  were more than fulfilled. The instructors were so welcoming and related to my students very well. We have already booked this field trip for our fifth graders next year!

The iMISSION program was excellent. Each child had a hands-on opportunity to play a role in the mission. This was not something that could be duplicated at school or for the students in their own time with their family. :)

The organization by the staff and their enthusiasm made this trip one of the most exciting field trips I have taken.

The EV3 robotics were very engaging and appropriately challenging for our 5th-8th grade students. I think that the students really benefited from the problem solving of how to write the code to get the robots to move in the ways that they wanted them to! Very cool experience!!

Blast Off Rocketry is my favorite field trip of the year!! My students agree!

From the teacher perspective, a field trip at iSPACE is out of this world … My students were engaged and the staff handles special needs students with grace and dignity making them included, but also being aware of how to meet their needs.”

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Classroom Visits

Edgerton Outreach  - Since 1996, our science and engineering field trips have provided primary and secondary school students with activities that cultivate curiosity and a sense of accomplishment in science and engineering.

How to participate

Our three-hour classes are available during the school day  (which includes a 15-30 minute mid-point bio break). Edgerton Outreach is able to offer in-person programming on-campus, in addition to offering Remote instruction for Flashlight Building or Quizboards.  Start times are determined through consensus with MIT and school instructors.  The program is available at no cost to public school classes, private school classes, homeschool groups, and community groups.

Lesson Content & Scheduling

• Step One -  We offer a number of in-person lessons covering a variety of topics.   For a listing of both our in-person as well as remote programs, click here.
• Step Two -  All programs must be booked in advance.   Visit our calendar to see availability  and register for a program.

Looking for a printable brochure of our offerings? Click here .

Amy Fitzgerald Outreach Program Coordinator Course Administrator 4-405 [email protected] 617.253.7931

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Massachusetts Field Trip Guide

Field Trip Ideas , New England

The Bay State is well-rounded for school groups of any age or interest

Made famous by events of the American Revolution—such as the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere’s ride and the battles of Lexington and Concord—Massachusetts has left a heavy stamp on American history. The most populous state in New England, the Bay State is home to premier sports teams, world-class universities and cutting-edge medical research. Few other states can boast Massachusetts’ combination of history , culture and recreational opportunities, making it a must for any school group from near or far.

A Few Massachusetts Field Trip Ideas:

• Freedom Trail in Downtown Boston
• Hancock Shaker Village
• Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Hanover Theatre & Conservatory
• Harvard Art Museums
• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
• Museum of Fine Arts
• New England Aquarium

Massachusetts History & Heritage Field Trip Ideas

No trip to Massachusetts would be complete without walking the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston. Stretching 2.5 miles long from Boston Common to the USS Constitution, the trail connects 16 significant sites in American history. Following the red cobblestones that conveniently demarcate the route, groups can walk the trail on their own or join a guided tour (abridged or full-length) featuring costumed actors. Sites include the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Bunker Hill Monument and Massachusetts State House .

Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, a two-hour drive from Boston, covers 750 acres in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. One of New England’s premier living history museums, it consists of more than 20 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and also is the state’s oldest functioning farm. With seasonal, ongoing and special exhibitions taking place year round, Hancock Village offers students a chance to step back in time.

Arts & Culture Field Trip Activities in Massachusetts

Comprised of three separate museums—the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisginer Museum and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum— Harvard Art Museums are located steps away from Harvard Square in Cambridge. Students can explore drawings, sculptures, paintings and more at these museums, which house more than 250,000 pieces of art. Visits to the expansive Art Study Center, which offers a behind-the-scenes look into objects not currently on display, are available by appointment, as well as tours of museums with student guides.

A patron of the arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner traveled the world to amass a collection of master and decorative arts .  Her Boston home, where she displayed her collection, is now the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and celebrates European, Asian and American art, including paintings, sculptures and tapestries from world-renowned artists such as Manet, Degas and Rembrandt. Groups can choose between many themed tours.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, one of the largest museums in the United States, features more than 450,000 works of art. The museum takes groups on  interactive, object-based tours through renowned collections  that contain works of art ranging from contemporary to classical.

Performing Arts Locations to Visit

The Boston area is home to dozens of performing arts centers, and the state of Massachusetts claims many more . The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) offers a number of experiences for school groups. BSO Youth Concerts afford students the opportunity to attend concerts featuring live conductor commentary between pieces on musical themes and engagement. Educators may contact the BSO for tips on how to optimize the experience for students. BSO also hosts High School Open Rehearsals, giving students in grades 8-12 an opportunity to sit in on a real orchestra rehearsal, providing a glimpse into the daily life of professional musicians.

The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory in Worcester not only puts on special matinees for students – there are series designated for elementary, middle and high school levels – but also offers hands-on experiences through their STEAM Workshops program. STEAM aims to mix school curricula and the arts, featuring sessions such as “Math Through Choreography” and “Analyzing the Human Experience Through Process Drama.” Workshops accommodate up to 30 students.

Educational Field Trips in Massachusetts through STEM

Packed with museums, university exhibitions and other institutions on the cutting edge of science, technology and medicine, Boston is a must for STEM groups . World-renowned universities like Harvard and MIT host museums that provide tours and hands-on workshops for school groups. At the MIT Museum , workshops for school groups include activities in physics, engineering, aerospace and other subjects.  

The Museum of Science , Boston is an ideal catch-all for school groups . With exhibits on natural and climate sciences, electricity, zoology, mathematics, artificial intelligence and tech, there’s something for everyone. In addition, the museum offers an abundance of film and live programming. Shows featuring live animals, scientists, and experiments can be seen at the Shapiro Family Science Live! Stage. The Mugar Omni Theater, a five-story domed IMAX screen, runs regular, 50-minute features on science and culture. Across the hall is the Charles Hayden Planetarium , showing live and recorded presentations on the solar system, universe and space exploration. The Museum of Science also hosts career sessions for high school students to meet with local STEM professionals (available to Massachusetts schools only).

Marine & Aquatic Activities 

Home to thousands of aquatic animals—ranging from giant Pacific octopuses and California sea lions to African penguins—Boston’s New England Aquarium features exhibits and educational experiences and offers a step-by-step field trip planning guide for educators. The Giant Ocean Tank, a coral reef community that contains sharks, turtles, moray eels and hundreds of tropical fish, is a popular attraction here.

At the mouth of the Massachusetts Bay, in an 842-square-mile, marine-protected area, the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary  is a diverse ocean area that can teach students about local marine sources and research being conducted. Students can go on a whale watching trip to view some of the largest animals on the planet.

The  Nantucket Whaling Museum  discusses the fascinating history of whaling on the small island of Nantucket. An interactive exhibit discusses the sinking of the whale ship  Essex  and its retelling in different forms, including Herman Melville’s  Moby Dic,  and the upcoming Hollywood film  In the Heart of the Sea .

A small public aquarium in Woods Hole, the Woods Hole Science Aquarium was established in 1875, making it the country’s oldest public aquarium. Some 80 species of marine animals found in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. waters are on display. The aquarium is designed for self-guided tours of the main exhibits and a behind-the-scenes look at aquarium operations. Aquarium staffers have created materials to help parents, teachers, kids and visitors learn more about sea life.

Main photo: Arboretum in Spring

For more student travel ideas and tips, visit   here  and be sure to subscribe for FREE to  Student Travel Planning  Guide for all the latest information to help plan your next student trip.

RECENT STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE ARTICLES

School and Group Field Trips

Since its founding by teachers over a century ago, Boston Children’s Museum has been a leading destination for memorable field trips and outside-the-classroom learning. In these challenging times, we are working hard to continue supporting our learning communities.

In-Museum Group Visits The Museum welcomes self-guided visits for schools, learning pods, community groups, afterschool programs, camps and childcare centers. Please contact our Groups Coordinator at  [email protected]

The Japanese House  (School-year only) Group visits to the Japanese House are considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in scheduling a visit to the Japanese House, please contact us at  [email protected]

Balls and Tracks (in Person)  (School-year only)

Loop-de-loops, hills, tunnels, and more! There are many exciting parts to roller coasters and lots of things engineers have to keep in mind when designing them. Through trial and error and using their keen observation skills, students will work in teams to engineer a roller coaster track for a marble. This program is designed for 1st-5th grade and lasts about 45-55 minutes.

Money Matters: Earthquake Engineering (In Person)  (School-year only)

Can you design a building to withstand an earthquake? Students will engage in financial literacy and engineering as they carefully spend their budget on materials to design an earthquake resistant structure. They will test their design on a shake table. This program is designed for 2nd-5th grade and lasts about 60 minutes. 

Thanks to generous support from Citizens Bank, the Money Matters: Earthquake Engineering program can be facilitated free of charge for many schools. Within the interest form, you can indicate whether you would like your class to be considered for a sponsored visit. 

Money Matters Virtual Museum Experience  (School-year only) What are the businesses in our community? How do we and our neighbors make and spend money? Students will get the chance to explore these financial literacy concepts through role play, creating their own small businesses, and making shopping choices.

This program is broken into four parts, including two virtual visits from the Museum educator.

• Part 1 (teacher-facilitated): Students will be introduced to the idea of a small business through a storybook. The storybook will be provided by the Museum, but facilitated by the teacher.
• Part 2 (Museum-facilitated):  A Museum staff member will virtually guest star (about 45 minutes) in the class to facilitate a discussion about businesses the students are familiar with and guide students in thinking about what small business they want to create.
• Part 3 (teacher-facilitated):  The teacher will help students pick their businesses. Then, students will complete small business plans, make signs to promote their businesses, and make fake money to use in the following part of the program.
• Part 4 (teacher-facilitated):  Students will sell from and shop at the businesses they created.

Thanks to generous support from Citizens Bank, Virtual Money Matters Experiences program can be facilitated free of charge for many schools. Within the interest form, you can indicate whether you would like your class to be considered for a sponsored visit.

Check back here soon for additional information about more virtual museum experiences.

  In-Museum and Virtual Group Visits

Since its founding by teachers over a century ago, Boston Children’s Museum has been a leading destination for memorable field trips and outside-the-classroom learning. In these challenging times, we are working hard to continue supporting our learning communities. The Museum welcomes self-guided visits for schools, learning pods, community groups, afterschool programs, camps and childcare centers. 

The Japanese House In-person group visits to the Japanese House are considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Balls and Tracks (in Person)

Money Matters: Earthquake Engineering (In Person)

Money Matters Virtual Museum Experience What are the businesses in our community? How do we and our neighbors make and spend money? Students will get the chance to explore these financial literacy concepts through role play, creating their own small businesses, and making shopping choices. This program is designed for 1st-5th grade. 

This program is broken into four parts, including a virtual visit from a Museum educator.

• Part 1: Students will be introduced to the idea of a small business through a storybook. The storybook will be provided by the Museum, but facilitated by the teacher.
• Part 2: A Museum staff member will virtually guest star (about 45 minutes) in the class to facilitate a discussion about businesses the students are familiar with and guide students in thinking about what small business they want to create.
• Part 3: The teacher will help students pick their businesses. Then, students will complete small business plans, make signs to promote their businesses, and make fake money to use in the following part of the program.
• Part 4: Students will sell from and shop at the businesses they created. 

Thanks to generous support from Citizens Bank, Virtual Money Matters Experiences program can be facilitated free of charge for many schools. Within the interest form, you can indicate whether you would like your class to be considered for a sponsored visit. 

For More Information

[email protected]  

Boston Group Transportation Experts

Customer Support

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Top 10 Ideas For Field Trips In Massachusetts

by Local Motion of Boston | Dec 3, 2021 | Blog

People of all ages get a plethora of information during field trips and outings. Certainly, these tours enhance their view of the world and their learning skills. When we go on a field trip, we can better recall factual information with accuracy and detail and critical thinking and tolerance for different points of view.

Are you planning to go on a field trip in Massachusetts ?

Let us explore the top 10 field trip ideas that both you and your loved ones would enjoy while touring Massachusetts. Without further ado, let’s get started!

#1 Paul Revere House

No field trip to Massachusetts is complete without paying a visit to the home of Paul Revere, the famed patriot, artisan, merchant, and entrepreneur. In 1770, Paul Revere purchased the building and moved his family here from their Clark’s Wharf home. He held the house from 1770 to 1800. Albeit, he and his family may not have resided here for the majority of the 1780s, if not all of them.

 The mansion quickly became a sailor’s boarding house after Revere sold it in 1800. The home had become an immigrant tenement by the second half of the nineteenth century. Further, the ground level had been rebuilt for use as shops.

The house housed various stores. For instance, it included a fruit and a vegetable business at various times, an Italian bank, a tobacco factory, and a confectionery store. John P. Reynolds Jr., Paul Revere’s great-grandson, acquired the building in the early 20th-century to ensure that it would not be demolished.

Funds were raised over the next few years. Then, the Paul Revere Memorial Association was created to maintain and renovate the structure. The Paul Revere Home became one of the nation’s first historic house museums. It opened its doors to the people in April 1908. The house was restored in 1907-1908 to match its late-17th-century design. 90% of the mansion is original. It includes two doors, three window frames, and flooring elements, inner wall material, foundation, and raftering.

Tour Revere’s mansion and learn about the family life of the 18th century. Enjoy displays of silver and evocative items linked to Revere’s numerous business operations in the new education and visitor center. You will learn the true tale of his midnight ride narrated in his own words. Plan a visit while on your field trip in Massachusetts.

#2 John F. Kennedy: Presidential Library and Museum

Dedicated to making and maintaining the 35th President of the United States’ legacy, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum will grab the interest of people who wish to know more about the art of politics.

The library aims to bring President Kennedy’s 1000 days in office to life. The Museum uses large-screen, high-definition projections, remastered videos, interactive displays, and original mementos from his life and times. JFK library proves to be a very historically enriching idea for a field trip to Massachusetts.

Visitors have hailed the Museum as an incredible voyage through American history. Moreover, it showcases the life of an extraordinary man.

We encourage you to travel back in time to the early 1960s to relive President John F. Kennedy’s words, beliefs, and deeds, which inspired Americans to wonder what they might do for their country.

The Library, which lies on a ten-acre park overlooking the sea he admired and the city that propelled him to glory, is a vivid homage to John F. Kennedy’s life and times.

You should definitely go and witness the museum, which depicts President John F. Kennedy’s life, leadership, and legacy, as well as his love for politics and public service and the nature of the presidency if you are planning a field trip to Massachusetts.

Apart from the field trip and visitation, students and academics can also use the compilation of available historical materials to research mid-20th-century politics and the 35th President’s life and administration.

The JFK Library and Museum are open to the public on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

#3 Battleship Cove: Fleet Museum

Battleship Cove, which opened on August 14, 1965, is the world’s greatest collection of US Naval ships. Various PT boats, a submarine, a destroyer, battleships, and as well as many other sorts of naval displays, may be found at this museum.

The USS Massachusetts is one of Battleship Cove’s most popular attractions. This ship was the first in the United States to fire a 16″ projectile. The ships on display here tell the tale of America’s past and allow tourists to travel back in time. The Cove’s marine museum offers educational activities, community programs, and various events, making it a perfect choice for a field trip in Massachusetts.

Battleship Cove is more than just an old battleship cemetery. The boats that moor here continue to play an essential role in educating visitors about American history while also providing opportunities for them to travel back in time.

Many diverse exhibitions, including the primary attraction of the USS Massachusetts, acquaint us with linkages between the various ships and their histories. Often known as “Big Mamie,” the USS Massachusetts took part in numerous wars. The USS Fall River, a warship primarily engaged for nuclear weapons testing, and the Hiddensee, a battleship first commissioned by the East German Navy, are among the other displays in Cove, in addition to the USS Lionfish, the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., and the USS Massachusetts.

The museum was visited by millions of people from all across the country when it initially debuted in the 1960s. The Cove has a variety of educational activities for children and teenagers. The Battleship Cove Community Boating Program is the major program they use. A Junior Sailor Program and overnight sleepovers aboard the ships are among the other programs available. Thus, the Battleship Cove is a very popular spot for field trips in Massachusetts for Local school children.

#4 Massachusetts Science Center

The Massachusetts Science Center Corporation, a 501(c) (3) educational nonprofit organization, was founded in 1995. They are part of GuideStar.org , a national web-database of charity organizations in the United States. They used the term “Weird Science” to promote the institution as a unique and exciting educational science center from 1995 to 1999. The science center was renamed Weird Science to Top Secret Science & Math in 1999 and has been a very popular place for field trips in Massachusetts.

Their goal for field trips in Massachusetts at this educational site is to foster a high level of curiosity and excitement for science and high technology. This will motivate youngsters to learn at a young age by broadening their horizons and piquing their interest in future learning.

Top Secret Science & Math provides an excellent setting for your child to develop a science foundation that will lead to a lifetime of learning. They have introduced hands-on science to more youngsters than any other institution in America over the last 20 years. Their programs are well above National Science standards, and this field trip in Massachusetts will provide you with an environment that is safe, comfortable, and enriching.

#5 iRobot Stem

Want to enjoy your time getting inspired by the next generation of scientists and engineers? Whether you are planning to visit this destination with an educational group, your robotics team, or simply your class, the time spent is truly going to be exceptional. The tour around the place includes a visit to a robot demo and a walk through their museum.

Started in the year 1990, iRobot Stem was founded by MIT roboticists Rodney Brooks, Helen Greiner, and Colin Angle. Sold more than 20 million robots worldwide, this organization has made practical robots a reality. For instance, these robots saved thousands of lives from crisis and conflict by finding Gulf of Mexico’s subsea oil that was dangerous to humanity. Also, the robots helped in revealing the Great Pyramid of Giza mysteries.

A company with a smart vision, a quick ride through iRobots will surely be a great memory to cherish. Don’t forget to wear the tech-savvy hat to find out more about it.

#6 Plimoth Patuxet Museums

A young archaeologist’s youthful ambition of telling the legendary tale of Plymouth Colony. Henry Hornblower II founded a fort on the historic waterfront of the Plymouth and the Museum as two English houses in 1947, with the love and assistance of friends, family, and professional colleagues. Since then, the Museum has developed significantly and has become a popular destination as a field trip in Massachusetts for history and culture enthusiasts.

Plimoth Patuxet offers compelling personal interactions with history based on deep research into the Wampanoag People and the Colonial English culture of the 1600s. On its main grounds, at the Plimoth Grist Mill on Town Brook and the State Pier on the waterfront of Plymouth, Plimoth Patuxet provides an immersive and interactive outdoor and indoor learning experience. Their permanent exhibitions tell the intertwined stories of two cultures: English and Native Americans.

The primary displays are supplemented by a broad program of special events, public programs, and workshops that provide a rich and varied understanding of the seventeenth century.

Many generations of families, countless school children, and millions of others from across the state and country have come to Plimoth Patuxet as a destination for a field trip in Massachusetts to partake in educational experiences that sparked their imaginations, delighted their senses, touched their hearts, and enriched their minds. The Plimoth Grist Mill (1994), The Craft Center (1992), The English Village (1959), The Hornblower Visitor Center (1987), The Wampanoag Homesite (1973), The Mayflower II (1957), and the Maxwell and Nye Barns (1994) are among the other significant attractions in Plimoth Estate.

#7 Museum of Science- Boston

The Boston Museum of Science, nestled on the Cambridge-Boston boundary, has much to offer children of all ages. It’s well worth a visit whether you live in New England or organize a field trip in Massachusetts with your children. It is one of the state’s largest scientific centers, featuring something for everyone.

As you enter the museum, you will notice that it’s divided into three sections. The café, gift shop, Planetarium, and IMAX theatre are all housed in the red wing, which runs along the front of the museum. A coat closet and space for moving displays are also available.

As you enter, the green wing is to your left. It houses animal and biology exhibitions, as well as a small space where you can see live animal shows. If you can squeeze one of those shows in, the younger kids will love it. The Green Wing’s centerpiece is the Hall of Human Life, where you’ll undoubtedly spend a lot of time.

The largest wing is the blue one on the right. It houses some of the museum’s most popular interactive exhibits, such as the Theater of Electricity. Also, it has Science in the Campground, Mathworks, and The Lighthouse. There is a regular performer at the Theater of Electricity. It is home to the world’s largest air-insulated Van de Graaff generator.

Other than this, there are many other amenities in the museum of Science Boston. You can book tickets for it both online and on the counter if you plan to visit this destination as a field trip in Massachusetts.

#8 The Freedom Trail

The “Freedom Trail” is unarguably one of the most famous spots for a field trip in Massachusetts. Running down through Boston, it is a long 4.0-kilometer (2.5-mile) walkway. In addition, it passes 16 official sites that have played key roles in American history.

The trail begins at Boston Common and finishes at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. Stones and other signposts mark it. A naval frigate, houses, churches, graveyards, and historic structures are among the trail’s highlights. There are several more significant monuments and locations along the walk. For example, you will see the Boston Irish Famine Memorial, in addition to the formal 16 stations.

The Freedom Trail was first proposed in 1951, and within a few years, tens of thousands of people were walking it every year. Internal visits are available at most locations, with some being free and others charging admission.

The Freedom Trail does not contain all of Boston’s heritage places, such as the Boston Tea Party sites and the Liberty Tree. At Faneuil Hall, a visitor’s center provides guided tours and maps of the Freedom Trail. The stops among the famous Freedom Trail comprise:

•       The Bunker Hill Monument
•       Old North Church,
•       USS Constitution,
•       Copp’s Hill Burying Ground,
•       Paul Revere House,
•       Faneuil Hall,
•       Site of the Boston Massacre,
•       Latin School,
•       Old State House,
•       Meeting House,
•       Old South,
•       Old Corner Bookstore,
•       Benjamin Franklin statue,
•       King’s Chapel and Burying Ground,
•       Massachusetts State House,
•       Park Street Church,
•       Boston Common,
•       and finally Granary Burying Ground,

are among the stops on the Famous Freedom Trail.

It is by far one of the most immersive field trips in Massachusetts for adults.

#9 New England Aquarium

Starting with the Atlantic harbor seals who lounge out just next to the admission counter, your kids will find plenty to enjoy at the New England Aquarium if you plan to visit it for your family field trip in Massachusetts.

Here, you’ll find tens of thousands of marine animals to observe, as well as the Giant Ocean Tank in the center. More than 1,000 underwater species, including green sea turtles, eels, and barracuda, dwell in this four-story tank, which features a coral reef ecosystem.

You will find displays dedicated to penguins, sea jellies, and seadragons in various portions of the aquarium, as well as a 6-storey high projection cinema screen with a digital sound system where you can watch documentaries about sea creatures and more. Additionally, don’t miss out on the Shark and Ray Touch Tank, where visitors can gaze at sharks and rays from the glass as they swim by.

The hours of operation at the New England Aquarium vary depending on the season and day of the week. But, in a broad sense, the aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. The price of the tickets is also very inexpensive. The aquarium’s main displays, toilets, gift shop, and cafe are all included in all tickets. You may have to pay a nominal fee to participate in a whale viewing trip or see a film. 

#10 MASM: Massachusetts Air and Space Museum

Massachusetts houses many internationally recognized museums, such as the American Heritage Museum in Hudson. Also, it has several such museums which you may not have heard of.

The Massachusetts Air and Space Museum tucked away in a Hyannis commercial plaza is a true treasure you should add to your list of museums to visit while planning a field trip in Massachusetts. You will love your time at The Massachusetts Air and Space Museum if you have an interest in learning about aviation and space exploration. 

When you visit, you’ll delve into the fascinating world of air and space explorations, history, and technology, as well as its connections to the state of Massachusetts and its inhabitants. You will find the “spacesuit” displayed as soon as you come through the door. It had once belonged to astronaut Jack Schmitt who wore it during his mission to the moon on Apollo 17. Children and grownups alike will enjoy learning, thanks to the numerous interactive displays. The flight simulator, which allows visitors to experience what it is like to fly a plane, is one of the most popular attractions of this museum. Throughout the exhibitions, you’ll learn about Massachusetts’ contributions to both the aviation and aerospace fields.

The Massachusetts Air and Space Museum is a new addition to the state’s museum system. It launched in February 2020 and continues to grow its display collection. When you visit this location for your field trip in Massachusetts, see what it has to offer. And, don’t forget to browse the gift store for interesting products.

Any field trip you take with your family, students, or loved ones, without a doubt, will be memorable. We can often connect with the world in ways we haven’t previously during field trips. Hopefully, this collection of places to visit for a field trip in Massachusetts will help you plan some fun trips! Good luck with your journey around Massachusetts. You can always make it more secure with our transportation services !

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Thank you for your interest in a field trip with the Patriots Hall of Fame presented by RTX! Each field trip program allows students to explore the Patriots Hall of Fame museum and guides them as they explore the science, technology, engineering, and/or math in the world of football. Field trip programs are offered both in-person and virtually.

Please review our Education Guide for more information on in-person field trips. Please click here  for a copy of our Education Guide.

Booking an In-Person Field Trip

We are currently full for the  2023-24 School Year.  If you would like to be placed on the waiting list, please email  [email protected] . We will do our best to accommodate as many schools as possible. We will also continue to offer virtual field trips in 2023-2024 for schools outside an 80-mile radius from The Hall. Please inquire for more information or to book a virtual field trip experience.

Booking a Virtual Field Trip

Our remote/online “field trip” experiences include many of our education modules tailored for remote learning aimed at reaching students learning in their classroom or at home. These virtual trips are available to schools outside an 60-mile radius of The Hall. Each interactive program is facilitated specifically for your students by Hall of Fame staff and includes a STEM Module, a video tour of The Patriots Hall of Fame presented by RTX and a demonstration featuring items from our archival collection.   For module information, please click here . For more information or to book a virtual field trip, please email [email protected] .

Please call The Hall with any questions at 508-549-0555 or email at [email protected]

Please click here for a copy of our Education Guide.

STEM Education Modules

In-Person Field Trip Education Modules

• Towers & Bridges | Grade level: 2-4
• Hands Down | Grade level: 3-5
• How Does the Equipment Ship? | Grade level: 3-5
• Build a Team | Grade level: 5-8
• Helmet Design Challenge | Grade level: 5-8
• Let’s Have a Ball | Grade level: 5-8
• Nutrition and Performance | Grade level: 6-8

Virtual Field Trip Education Modules

• Hands Down | Grade level: 3-5
• Marketing and The Hall | Grade level: 9-12

Virtual Field Trip Education Modules are adapted for remote learning from our established In-Person modules

Towers & Bridges (2nd-4th grade) – In this engineering activity inspired by Gillette Stadium’s iconic lighthouse and bridge, students are challenged to build strong bridges and tall towers using simple materials.  Following the engineering design process, students work in teams to explore a variety of materials and techniques and choose those which are best suited to their goal.

Hands Down (3rd or 4th grade)  – In this engineering activity, students are asked to evaluate the pros and cons of integrating hand recognition biometric technology into the security system for Gillette Stadium. They assess hand geometry codes to determine whether those codes would be the right choice for a new security system. As engineers they make their recommendations about the new system.

How Does the Equipment Ship? (3rd-5th grade) – In this math focused program, students work on teams to ship authentic player equipment to various locations. Students are asked to gather items from a checklist and select a box for their items. They are then responsible for estimating their shipping weight and determining the best shipping method for their box.

Build a Team (5th-8th grade) -In this math-focused program, students work together and serve on the management team of a new NFL franchise. Using budgets, salary information and statistics from the National Football League, students analyze players’ strengths, weaknesses, and salaries to assemble the best offensive unit. They also are asked to select a team name, design a logo, decide elements to include in a new stadium and present their selections in a press conference.

Helmet Design Challenge (5th – 8th grade)  – In this engineering design challenge, students explore, select, and arrange materials they feel provide the necessary structure or cushioning for a model helmet. After learning about helmet technology, the students use their materials to design their own helmet prototypes. The students then test their designs and report on their results using the engineering design process. For remote learning, the materials will need to be provided by the school or the student. Please inquire for the list of recommended materials.

Let’s Have a Ball (5th – 8th grade) – In this engineering design challenge, students are presented with a sport related technological problem. A game manufacturer needs help in choosing the correct sports ball for its new game. Students are given specific criteria regarding the ball’s performance requirements. They are asked to test several different sports balls for specific measurements and use the data they gather to make a recommendation to the manufacturer.

Nutrition and Performance (6th – 8th grade) – Students step into the role of a sports nutritionist as they learn how nutrition affects performance in this STEM-focused module. After they explore the critical roles food plays in athletic (and other types of) performance, learn to think about the human body as a system, and consider how some of this system’s inputs impact the output (performance) of the athlete, students will work in small groups to “meet” a client with a unique set of physical traits and create a meal plan that aligns with the latest in nutrition science-based recommendations.

Marketing and the Hall (9th – 12th grade)  – This program offers high school students an opportunity to utilize the Four P’s of marketing. Students are given different scenarios before they arrive and are asked to present their marketing strategy approach to one of the given scenarios. They receive professional feedback from our marketing team following their presentations.

For more information regarding our STEM Education modules, please contact our Education Program Supervisor, Steven Hill at  [email protected] .

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Challenge Island | The World's #1 STEM and STEAM Program

The World's #1 STEM/STEAM Program Providing Award-Winning Afterschool Classes, In-School Field Trips, Camps, Girl Scout Workshops, Parties, and More! Featuring F2F and Virtual Options.

Award-Winning Onsite Field Trips

Send your k-12 students on an action-packed, standard-aligned, steam-based island adventure without ever leaving school grounds, 15,000 schools have experienced the magic of challenge island standard-aligned field trips, choose from 100’s of field trips including these spotlighted “destinations”, our range of field trip options is vast and comprehensive. our field trip specialist will help design a perfect challenge island experience for your school’s unique curricular goals and personality..

Monster Truck Arena

Rev up your students’ engineering engines for an unforgettable ride through forces and motion, speed and energy, and marvelous monster truck design.

Ring of Fire Restaurant

Shake, rattle and sushi roll into steam learning in this one of a kind earthquake adventure set along the pacific ring of fire. steam teams are challenged to open their own japanese restaurants and design furniture that can withstand a major shake up.

Courageous Cave Rescue

This action-packed challenge is based on the real life cave rescue of a thai boys soccer team that became trapped inside a cave by a monsoon. steam teams recreate the famous rescue of the wild boars soccer team learning about extreme weather, caves and rocks, buoyancy and viscosity, world cultures and geography, and of course all design and engineering during this unbelievable and inspiring steam adventure..

STEAM Tank Entrepreneur

A perfect swirling of engineering and entrepreneurship, this popular field trip has steam teams innovating, strategizing and designing as they open their own businesses. choose which kind of business your students will create (options include a pizza parlor, a candy store, a pet salon and a haunted house) and your students will take it from there. can they convince the island sharks to let them open their business at challenge island mall don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind entrepreneurial experience.

Emperor Penguin Pop

During this colossally cool field trip, students take an imaginary trip to antarctic where they learn about the marvelous emperor penguin and the incredible adaptations that allow the adorable species to survive living in extreme cold and surrounded by hungry predators. students then engineer a popping penguin game that incorporates all that they’ve learned during this icy steam adventure..

Mount Vesuvius Eruption

During this red-hot field trip that combines engineering with states of matter, your students will time travel back to pompeii, italy in 79 ad where they will “experience” the historical eruption of mount vesuvius. they will collaborate, communicate, problem solve and create with their steam teams as they design volcano-safe houses for the residents of pompeii. can your class keep the people of pompeii lava-free when vesuvius blows its top.

Bigfoot Treetop Trek

Steam teams delve into the intriguing north american myth of bigfoot and use engineering and measuring skills to get their steam team safely through the forest. they use evidence-based judgement and critical thinking skills to assess whether bigfoot is real or not real as they roll full speed ahead into the unknown.

Simple Machine Treehouse

During this groovy simple machines-focused field trip, students time travel back to the 1970’s – a simpler time filled with pet rocks and treehouses. these concepts swirl together into an unforgettable adventure where designing pet rock treehouses is powered by all six types of simple machines..

Mechanical Engineer Orange Grove

During this juicy field trip, students learn about the farm to table process and what happens in an orange packing factory. your steam teams will take on the role of mechanical engineers as they design and build a complex orange sorting machine using various simple machines and their infinite creativity. this field trip culminates with a refreshing treat celebrating the fruits of their efforts.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climb

This adventurous field trip combines engineering, geography, climate zones, biomes and animal habitats as students embark on an extreme expedition to the the “roof of africa.” can they keep their steam team safe as they descend down the mountain through five different animal-filled biomes including arctic ice, alpine desert, moorlands, rainforest and finally, civilization.

Super STEAMio Jump

During this bouncing physics-focused field trip, students jump into potential and kinetic energy and elasticity their steam team’s challenge to create a super steamio game course through hot lava that will send a marble plumber bouncing his way through hot lava and evil turtles toward rescuing challenge island’s pineapple princess. this popular field trip choice is so much fun that students don’t even notice how much they are learning..

Hydra Head Launch

Hercules needs your students’ help to defeat the horrific greek mythological monster hydra steam teams must follow the challenge island steambuilding steps to design a hydra head launching machine that uses hydra’s poisonous breath (also known as air power) to rocket her snaky heads as far away as possible. the only problem is that every time one hydra head is launched, 2 grow back in its place.

Dracula's Blood Drive

A monstrous mashup of history, biology, circulatory systems and slime, this popular field trip introduces students to the legend of dracula while teaching them about red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. students will learn about blood types and the role of each part of blood in keeping people healthy and create challenge island’s trademark “blood” slime .

Jukebox Spin

Get ready to rock around the clock with us on the 50th day or any day this fifties-themed steam adventure revolves around forces and motion, potential and kinetic energy, and a good old fashioned sock hop.

Challenge Island Book Series Field Trips

During our signature book series adventures, steam teams work together to build a bridge over shark-infested waters or race across the amazon rainforest, just like the characters do in our bestselling challenge island books.

STEAMwarts Academy

During this spellbinding adventure at steamwarts academy, our steam teams explore states of matter, chemical and physical change and other marvelous sciency magic.

Wonderful Galaxy

This one-of-a-kind field trip integrates themes of kindness, empathy and compassion with space science and rocket-building. our proprietary steambuilding experience is at the heart of this very special challenge island adventure..

We Offer Year Round Onsite Field Trip Adventures

Challenge Island Offers 100’s of Standard-Aligned Field Trip Options Including These STEAMtastic Monthly Adventures!

Learn About Title 1, Title 4 and ESSER 2 Field Trip Funding

STEAM + Reading = STREAM!

Combine the magic of challenge island programs with the magic of reading with our bestselling book series.

Our STREAMy Onsite, Standard-Aligned Book Series Field Trips bring the story to life in your classroom!

Our Book Series Add-On Packages are a STREAMy Addition to Any Challenge Island Field Trip!

Add on to our signature bridge to sharktooth island adventure or to any of our 100’s of field trip themes., treasure chest package.

This gem of a schoolwide STEAM adventure is our most exquisite option: A 1.5-hour field trip, individual books for every child, book companion guides for every teacher and a schoolwide virtual author visit!

Palm Tree Package

This breezy schoolwide or grade level STEAM adventure includes a 1.5-hour field trip, a book and book companion guide for each participating classroom + a book purchase option for individual students!

Pineapple Package

This sweet STEAM adventure includes a 1.5-hour field trip, a book for the school library, teacher companion guides for participating classrooms + a book purchase option for individual students.

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A Member of Our Challenge Island Ohana Will Reach Out to You Soon!

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MASSACHUSETTS Field Trips

To help plan APRIL curriculum focused classroom activities, field trips and school assembly programs, these April themed celebrations might be a helpful focus. MONTHLY : Keep America Beautiful. National Gardens. National Humor. National Poetry. Stress Awareness. DAILY : Apr. 2: International Children’s Book Day. Apr. 3: National Geologists Day. Apr. 4: School Librarians’ Day. Apr. 5: Read a Road May Day. Apr. 7: World Health Day. Apr. 8: Draw a Picture of a Bird Day. Zoo Lovers Day. Apr. 10: National Farm Animals Day. Apr. 18: National Scrabble Day. Apr. 15: World Art Day. Apr. 22: Earth Day. Apr. 25: World Penguin Day. CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below for activity type of field trips to learn about. For those unable to travel to these locations, have the fun come to you. Check out the Outreach Field Trips & School Assembly Programs  section.    

• Financial Support
• Children's Museums & Indoor Fun
• 360° of Fun
• American Revolution
• Geography & Mapping
• Ghost Tours
• Historic Places
• History Behind-the-Scenes Tours
• History Museums, Exhibits & Sites
• History Walking Tours
• Living History
• Multicultural & Heritage
• Observation Decks
• Sports History
• Transportation: Boats, Planes, Trains, & Trollies
• Mobile Traveling Farms & Zoos
• Overnights & Retreats
• Adventure Parks, Climbing, Ninja & Ropes Course, Ziplines
• Amusement Parks & Water Parks
• Boat Excursions
• Bowling & Bocce
• Canoeing, Kayaking, Rafting, Tubing
• Indoor Amusement & Recreation Centers
• Outdoor Amusement & Recreation Centers
• Roller Skating
• Skiing & Snow Tubing
• Group-Friendly Restaurants
• Aquariums, Marine Life, Hatcheries
• Birds, Butterflies, Bees
• Botanical Gardens & Arboreta
• Dolphin, Manatee, Seal, Whale Watching
• Environmental Studies, Outdoor Education, Conservation, Sustainability
• Farms, Mazes, Pick-Your-Own
• Planetariums & Astronomy
• Science Boat Excursions
• Science Museums & Exhibits
• STEM/STEAM Enrichment
• Zoos, Wildlife, Safari Tours, Reptiles, Animal Shows, Vertebrates
• Art Museums, Design, Exhibits, Photography & Films
• Broadway & Off-Broadway
• Literature, Poetry & Shakespeare
• Theater, Dance, Music, Movies, Shows
• Accommodations
• Group Tour Operators
• Sightseeing Tours
• Early Childhood
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is dedicated to the memory of our nation’s thirty-fifth president.

Joppa Flats Education Center

Overlooking the Merrimack River and near the entrance to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, the Joppa Flats Education Center offers unique educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.

Maria Mitchell Aquarium

Located on the shoreline of Nantucket Harbor, the Maria Mitchell Aquarium displays local Nantucket species and is an excellent place to learn about the amazing sea life around the island.

Marine Science Center

Located on the peninsula at historic East Point in Nahant, the Marine Science Center is the marine research and educational facility of Northeastern University.

The facilities at MASS MoCA allow it to feature all forms of art including music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, as well as new genres that defy easy classification.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre

The Merrimack Repertory Theatre is the professional theatre of the Merrimack Valley. Committed to contemporary voices and new plays, the theatre produces seven works, including several world premieres, each season and student matinees.

Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum

The Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts has a collection of American, Asian, and European paintings, prints, watercolors and sculpture.

Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary

Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary is Mass Audubon’s oldest, encompassing protected forests, fields, and wetlands. Diverse hiking trails and a red maple swamp boardwalk provide countless opportunities for exploration.

Museum of African American History

The Museum of African American History comprises a Boston and Nantucket campus. Programs are rooted in historic sites, exhibitions, and more. Explore the museum’s virtual exhibits.

Museum of Fine Arts Boston

The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world with over 500,000 works of art ranging from Egyptian to contemporary. Groups enjoy exciting docent-led tours and activities, as well as a self-guided tour option. 

Museum of Science

Permanent exhibits at the Museum of Science include a virtual tour of Acadia National Park, a butterfly garden with exotic plants, Wind Lab energy production, a 65-million-year-old triceratops fossil, an exploration of the Milky Way Galaxy, and more.

New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium is home to thousands of aquatic animals–from northern fur seals to giant Pacific octopus to little blue penguins.

FieldTripDirectory.com offers field trip ideas for class trips, scout group trips, camp group field trips, and homeschool group field trips in Massachusetts—for early childhood through college. Search for class trips in Massachusetts by group type, cost, activity/curriculum type, grade level, distance, and venue name or keyword. Day class trips are divided by curriculum and subject area:

• ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Find Massachusetts art museums, theater, dance, and music concert field trips.
• EARLY CHILDHOOD Find class trips to Massachusetts children’s museums, petting zoos, and kids’ shows.
• HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES View Massachusetts history museums, government & civics, historic sites, living history museums, and multicultural field trip ideas.
• LIFE SKILLS Find Massachusetts team building field trips, health & safety exhibits, and character education experiences.
• SCIENCE & NATURE Find Massachusetts aquariums, botanical gardens, environmental studies & nature centers, farms & mazes, planetariums, science museums, STEAM & STEM field trips, dinosaur exhibits, and zoos.
• RECREATION Find Massachusetts field trip ideas for adventure parks, ropes courses, ziplines, boat excursions, amusement parks, waterparks, kayaking, rafting, tubing, laser tag paintball, roller skating rinks, ice-skating rinks, mini-golf attractions, indoor amusement & recreation centers, and outdoor amusement & recreation centers.

Overnight field trips & retreats are available for environmental education, team building, and recreation. We created field trip lesson plans to help teachers, scout leaders, camp counselors, and homeschool parents provide an enriching experience for their groups. We know funds for class trips are limited, so we’ve included grants for field trips that cover admission, transportation, and more. It’s important that students and youth explore new environments, learn about other cultures, and develop an understanding of inclusivity as part of the educational process. People learn in different ways—through hearing, seeing, touching, talking, or doing. Class trips can provide a multi-dimensional learning experience. FieldTripDirectory.com can help you find the right trip for your group. A world of experiences is just a click away at FieldTripDirectory.com.

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Within the first few hours of the Workshop , I found myself nestled in a warmly lit restaurant booth in El Taller &  Cafe Azteca in Lawrence, Mass., with salsa smeared across the corners of my lips. There, we met Dariana Guerrero, a local poet and activist. She introduced us to a deck of playing cards she created on an artist grant and took us on a tour around the city. We got to see walls of colorful murals in a local park that was in need of renovation — but filled with potential to be a community gathering space. Directly across the street was a row of modern apartments that marked the roots of gentrification. When we returned to El Taller, Dariana performed two of her spoken word poems and encouraged us to jot down poetry that represented our voices. It was hard to believe I was in school. While most of my friends spent the day sitting in classrooms taking lecture notes and working on statistics problems, I was on a field trip in Lawrence listening to spoken word poetry and munching on fried plantains. As a course focused on ​ “ Experiments in Education,” the Workshop ​ ’ s teachers could have designed the day to look however they wanted. So why did they choose a field trip — especially one that had no clear learning goal — out of all other educational formats? Later that night, we began reading the book Where Research Begins: Choosing a Research Project that Matters to You (and the World) by Christopher Rea and Thomas S. Mullaney. The authors explained that they wanted to help readers find a research topic that they’re truly passionate about. Rather than abiding by outside influences or pleasing an external judge, they suggested the reader to take a ​ “ self-centered” research approach by ​ “ maintaining close contact with your own self” (Rea &  Mullaney, 4 ). However, with the looming pressures of grades, hierarchical dynamics between a teacher and student, and the constricting nature of academic silos, it’s unrealistic for students to research guided purely by their curiosity and instincts in a traditional classroom. This is where the field trip steps in. Without explicit instructions from our teachers, I was able to fully immerse myself — as a person, not just a student — into the experience. Whether intentional or subconscious, I unearthed nuggets of inspiration from the intersection of my identities with my experience in Lawrence. The hospitality of El Taller &  Cafe Azteca’s staff and the action of sharing food with my classmates inspired me to make Chinese dishes for my dorm that weekend. I found myself referring back to Dariana’s playing cards art project when questioning how I can make my art more communal. Seeing the stark contrast between the rundown Lawrence community park and the lavish apartment buildings across the street reminded me to research the ongoing gentrification of Boston’s Chinatown — a place that reminds me of home. At its core, field trips give students the time and agency to form their own takeaways instead of being passively spoon-fed knowledge. I’m curious to see where the unexpectedness of engaging with unfamiliar people and spaces will lead me within my time in the Workshop.

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THE WORKSHOP Each spring term, The Workshop welcomes approximately 20 seniors to this interdisciplinary, project-based course. With an eye toward reimagining what school can be, The Workshop is the senior’s only academic commitment for the entire term. Instead of splitting their time and attention into units of distinct courses and fields of study, they work closely with peers, faculty, and community and global partners on a series of linked, interdisciplinary projects that revolve around a single theme. Within the theme Experiments in Education, students explore areas of personal interest.

Where Learning Begins

Sandboxing—the idea of explorative free-play in learning—is critical to development

The Uncharted Syllabus

Embracing Ambiguity in Learning

Habit Energy in Buddhism vs Catholicism

Learning about habit energies

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Southern University’s STEM summer camp available for middle, high school students

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Southern University is hosting a STEM summer camp for students living in the Baton Rouge area.

The camp allows students the opportunity to reinforce and enhance skills in English Language Arts (ELA) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through interactive and engaging hands-on activities and games.

Click here to register

It will take place at Southern Lab for four weeks during the summer. The dates are June 3, 2024, through June 28, 2024. Camp time is from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Before and aftercare is available for a fee, organizers said.

The camp is open to middle school and high school students (rising 6th through rising 12th graders). The deadline to register for the camp is Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Fees include field trips, on-campus events/activities, two camp t-shirts, and daily breakfast and lunch.

The cost of Summer Enrichment/SU STEM program for currently enrolled SULS students is $200. The cost for non-SULS students is $300. A $25 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit is due upon registration for each child.

SULS Summer Enrichment/SU STEM 2024 Themes:

• Week 1: Engineering Design Process and The Scientific Method – Things That Go Up and Around
• Week 2: STEM in Sports – Geaux Team
• Week 3: STEM in the World We Live – Understanding Carbon Capture
• Week 4: STEM in the World We Live – Energizing Minds through Clean Energy Education

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