springfield museums field trips

The History Museum on the Square provides field trips, traveling exploration trunks, and special programs to students of all ages.

The History Museum on the Square welcomes school, homeschool, and youth groups for interactive and educational field trip experiences. On a field trip, self-guided visits through the museum allow groups to move at their own pace through the different exhibits in the museum. The museum is designed for visitors of all ages to engage with and learn Springfield’s history. With interactive exhibits, artifacts, games, and technology, students dig deeper into history and make connections with the past. Scavenger hunts and I-Spy hand-outs are available upon request to focus students as they explore the exhibits.

School and Youth Field Trip rates are available for groups of 10 or more paying children and chaperones of $8.00 per person. An adult-to-student ratio of 1:5 is required.

While at the museum, add on a Talk for an additional $5/person, or ask about a museum tour or outdoor walking tour!

Are you staying for lunch? Space to eat "picnic-style" can be provided in the near-by Fox Theatre lobby with an additional fee of $30/30 minutes. Lunch rental fees cover facility use and clean up.

A minimum of two weeks’ notice is appreciated. To request a field trip, fill out the field trip reservation form. We will contact you within three business days to follow up on or confirm your reservation. For inquiries about reservations, call 417-831-1976 or email [email protected] .

Meet Missouri Field Trip

Our Meet Missouri programming offers a themed fieldtrip that centers around local notable Missourians. The content is tied to DESE 3rd grade learning standards, but may be used by students of all ages. The fieldtrip includes a pre-visit virtual game to introduce students to the museum and some of Springfield's notable individuals and a museum scavenger hunt that brings Missouri history to life. Missouri is a beautiful state, but to truly know its history, you must know its people.

Groups of 10 or more (includes children & chaperones)

• Memberships
• [email protected]
• 417-862-9910

The Discovery Center

Virtual Field Trips

Bring the discovery center right to your students.

During these standard-aligned programs, students will take a content-specific tour of our exhibit halls and various outside learning environments around Springfield, MO. No matter where your learners are located, they will enjoy an informative, engaging, hands-on experience that provides each student with individual science activity kits that they may keep to share with family and friends. Our virtual field trips provide your students with a chance to be face-to-face with STEAM experts, engaging DCS educators and inspiring demonstrations that will instill in them science confidence and spark their curiosity. 

• After booking, you will be shipped a box of individualized kits for your students with a Webex link to our Virtual Learning Lab and a list of materials
• The given link is for the intended students and should not be shared amongst other classrooms
• Videos sent or used for this program are the property of DCS and should not be recorded or redistributed
• The experience will begin with a 10-15 minute prerecord exhibit tour which correlates with the selected class and standards
• During the tour students will be encouraged to answer questions to gauge understanding prior to live class
• Museum staff will explore the chosen material with various demos that virtual learners could try at home
• Following the prerecorded tour is a live class in our virtual learning lab
• Students will have the opportunity to participate in three experiments that align with the selected class and standards.

Each program includes a 10-minute museum tour and a 45–50-minute live class

For program content and material questions, please reach out to Riana Clark at [email protected]

Escape to Space: Grades 3rd-8th

Includes virtual tour and individual student kits

Blast off into space, explore the solar system and our visit our Astronomy gallery. In this program, students will tour our exhibit space while discovering gravity’s role within our galaxy. Students will create a circuit model of the Earth, Sun and moon, using the model to recognize and describe patterns and cycles.

Energize Me! : Grades 4 th -5 th

Take an energetic tour of our energy gallery while learning about the different ways energy is transferred through heat, light, sound or electrical currents. Students will use their knowledge of energy transfers to explore renewable energy, design and test a device which converts energy from one type to another.

Magnet Mania: Grades 2 nd -4 th

Students will learn the parts of an atom, explore the concept of electron movement, create forces of attraction and repulsion with static electricity and magnets, build an electromagnet, experiment with different variables for magnetic strength, and make their own compass.

Track the Reaction : Grades 4 th – 10 th

Take a virtual tour of the ChromoZone lab, our fully-function laboratory with professional equipment. Students will identify the difference between chemical and physical changes, design an experiment and test the cause of chemical changes and understand that synthetic materials come from natural ones and how the concentration of reactants directly influences the rate of a reaction.

Being Me : Grades 4 th -8 th

Shrink down to the size of the cell and take a virtual tour through our BodyWorks gallery to observe how our brain sends and receives messages to the rest of our body. Watch an eye dissection, build your own tissue, experience how your heart rate responds based on your activity level and create a model of your respiratory and circulatory system.

• All programs are $10 per student with a minimum of 15 students
• Additional students can be added for $10 each with classes up to 30 students
• Pricing includes award-winning STEM lesson, individual hands-on kits for every student, and all shipping and processing fees
• Schools will be responsible for the full program fees once the kits have been shipped
• If the program must be canceled due to weather, COVID, or any extenuating circumstances, a credit will be issued for the full amount for a future program
• Payment will be due no later than 7 days after the program date. Checks should be made payable to the Discovery Center ATTN: Field Trips 438 East St. Louis Street Springfield, MO 65804 or call 417-862-9910 to make a payment by phone

• Schools must provide four weeks’ notice when booking
• Once your inquiry has been confirmed, you’ll receive an email confirmation from our Education team with further details and a link to join for the program
• A program is not considered finalized until you receive an email confirmation that includes a link to join the program with log in instructions

Ready to book an award-winning STEM Virtual Field Trip?

All booking and billing questions should be directed to Riana Clark at [email protected]

Visit The Discovery Center

• Visiting Discovery Center
• Directions to Discovery Center
• Hours and Pricing
• Discovery Center Summer of Science
• Field Trips
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• Scout Programs
• Discovery School
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Parties & Rentals

• Parties and Rentals
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• Jurassic Discovery
• Second Floor
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Contact Info

Discovery Center of Springfield 438 E St. Louis St. Springfield, MO 65806

E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: 417-862-9910 Fax: 417-862-6898

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Field Trips and Special Projects

Field Trips

Discover art through inquiry-based guided tours, available for school and community groups. All tours include gallery activities led by a museum educator, including hands on learning. Art making lessons can accompany tours, Fees for education programs vary depending on the project scope. We want your group to be able to participate and funding may be available for field trips and special projects through outside sources.  Call 937-325-4673 to inquire.

Educator Funding for Field Trips & Special Projects

Fees for SMoA education programs vary depending on the project scope. We want your group to be able to participate and funding may be available for field trips and special projects through outside sources.

Ohio’s Learning Standards

All Springfield Museum of Art youth education program are aligned with the Ohio Visual Art Standards and Common Core Standards for Reading. Additionally, some programs are specifically tailored to support Ohio Social Studies, Science and Mathematics learning standards.

Submitting an Exhibition Proposal

The Springfield Museum of Art is pleased to accept applications for exhibiting work. Please complete the following information in full and Submit it. You will be contacted within 6 weeks of receivng your application.

For more information, contact Erin Shapiro at 937-325-4673.

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• Field Trips

Field Trip EdVentures

Our priority, as the most immersive nonprofit conservation attraction in the world, is to inspire the next generation of conservationists.

Bring your students to Wonders of Wildlife to experience the outdoors and conservation up close. With a variety of resource and planning materials for educators, our team is dedicated to making your group's visit seamless.

Ready to Book

Get started booking your field trip to Wonders of Wildlife by submitting our planning form.

Scheduling Your Trip

Planning your field trip to WOW is simple! Start by filling out the form below with details about your school and potential trip dates. Once we receive the form, we'll be in touch to confirm the dates and details of your visit.

Get Started

Please be advised as you are planning your trip to WOW, that the Stingray Touch Exhibit will be closed for improvements. During this time, guests will still be able to engage with the virtual aquarium coloring exhibit and interactive learning stations. We appreciate your patience and understanding. *Closure dates are subject to change

Field Trip Tour Options

Wonders of wildlife.

• Full Self-Guided Tour
• Starting at $12
• Click Here For Pricing

Guide your students through the entire Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium experience. With 1.5 miles of paths, WOW will bring you up close to over 800 species of animals and eye-to-eye with the greatest collection of record-setting game animals ever assembled. Tours celebrate conservation efforts across the globe and inspire visitors to enjoy the great outdoors.

*Includes both the Aquarium and Wildlife Galleries tours, allowing for a break in between

Behind the Scenes

• Guided Tour
• Ages 5th Grade+

Experience WOW in a new way—behind the scenes! One of our talented team members will give you a look at our back-of-house areas and the equipment we use to provide top of the line aquatic habitats. Students will learn about water chemistry, veterinary care, diet calculation and filtration practices.

Live Animal EdVentures

• 20-80 Participants
• $5/student  $3/chaperone

Meet some of the WOW Animal Ambassadors and introduce or expand your students’ knowledge with hands-on activity stations. This program is designed to meet the Missouri curriculum standards and you will choose your topic based on your students’ grade.

Mission Conservation

• Price: $5 per device
• Limit 35 devices
• Using personal device is FREE

Conservation and Technology combine with Mission Conservation! Enhance your field trip with a self-guided digital scavenger hunt using the Agents of Discovery mobile gaming app. Agents of Discovery is an augmented reality, gaming platform that provides educational content in a fun and active way! Missions are available to play at each of the Johnny Morris Conservation Attractions including Wonders of Wildlife, Dogwood Canyon, and the Lost Canyon Cave Trail and Ancient Ozarks Museum at Top of the Rock.

Download the app from Google Play or the App Store to your personal mobile devices, or reserve a class set of devices to use during your visit.

Field Trip Labs

Cow eye dissection (5th grade to high school).

• 1.5 Hour Program
• $10 per student plus specimen cost

Do you think both nocturnal and diurnal animals have the same type of eyes, or are they different? Come take a look at the difference between nocturnal and diurnal animals by engaging with a couple of our education ambassadors. During this dissection lab, you will look at the external and internal anatomy of a cow eye. So, are they the same or are they different?

Frog Dissection (5th grade to High School)

They can breathe and drink through their skin, grow lungs from gills, and give scientists a good idea of how an ecosystem is functioning. Learn the internal and external anatomy through a frog dissection. Discover the unique characteristics of amphibians while engaging with live animal ambassadors.

Squid Dissection (5th grade to High School)

Through artifacts, you will discover what invertebrates call the ocean their home. We will examine some of the unique features that squid possess. From the pen that gives them support to the ink that helps them disappear. During this dissection you will look at the external and internal anatomy of a squid.

Owl Pellets Dissection (5th grade to High School)

This lab will reveal an owl’s diet through the dissection of an owl pellet. Students will learn about predator and prey interactions and the adaptations an owl has that makes it a great hunter. With the help of animal ambassadors, we will learn about other predators of the sky.

Shark Dissection (5th grade to High School)

• 2 Hour Program
• $15 per student plus specimen cost

Did you know a shark can have up to 25,000 teeth in their lifetime?  Examine teeth and other artifacts to discover how they work. Teeth and other adaptations make them a top predator in the ocean ecosystem. To better understand what makes them the lethal hunter, we will dissect a shark.

Rat Dissection (5th grade to High School)

Birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals are the five vertebrate classes. Learn what characteristics make the classes different from each other with live animal encounters and artifacts. During this lab, you will discover the internal workings of a mammal through a rat dissection.

Financial Aid: Explore the Ozarks Grant

The Explore the Ozarks Fund is dedicated to creating and providing access to experiential conservation education opportunities for K-12 students in the Ozarks. Click on the button below to submit your financial aid request.

Details & Important Information

• All tours are self-guided.
• Wonders of Wildlife is a linear experience. Once you enter the Wildlife Galleries you will not be able to exit your tour until the Wildlife Gallery portion is complete. Likewise, once you enter the Aquarium Experience, you will not be able to exit until ending the tour at the gift shop.
• Wonders of Wildlife is a flash free facility.
• Select groups may qualify for financial aid. For more information click here.

About Chaperones

• All chaperones must be 21 years or older.
• Chaperones must accompany students at all times. Students are not permitted to explore the Wildlife Galleries, Aquarium, Bass Pro Shops or the Conservation Center unsupervised.
• Chaperones may be teachers, school staff or approved parents and volunteers.
• Teachers should fill the required ‘Chaperone’ tickets first before opening up to parents or volunteers.

About Additional Chaperones

• Wonders of Wildlife is happy to extend discounts to parents over the 1:8 chaperone ratio wishing to join their student on a field trip. To receive the Additional Chaperone price of $25 (pricing subject to change), the school must include the extra adults in their registration and payment.
• Parents may join a field trip for the listed ‘Additional Chaperone’ prices, if invited by the school and in accordance with school background check policies.
• All additional chaperones, including parents, must pre-pay the school to receive the education rate listed. There will be no discounts available at the ticket counter for parents who do not pre-pay the school.

At this time, we are unable to offer indoor lunch space for large field trip groups. Please plan to eat lunch outdoors on the front lawn near the marlin fountain. There is also a small covered porch to the left of the main entrance of the aquarium that is first come first served. Please stay clear of all doors including the employee entrance. In the case of cold or rainy weather please make arrangements to eat off campus or on your bus. Thank you for understanding and we hope to be able to offer indoor lunch space in the future.

Box Lunch Options

Child Box Lunch

• Choice of sandwich: PB&J Uncrustable or Grilled Cheese
• Goldfish Crackers
• Apple Sauce
• Choice of water or apple juice

Adult Box Lunch

• 10" Classic Cheese Pizza (includes water)
• 10" Pepperoni Pizza (includes water)
• Turkey & Cheddar Sandwich (includes water & a bag of chips)
• Ham & Swiss Sandwich (includes water & a bag of chips)

Important Information:

• Box lunches must be pre-ordered with a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice.
• Adult box lunches are available for required chaperones only, at the 1:8 ratios. Parents joining the field trip are welcome to purchase food at the café independently.
• Final box lunch numbers must be provided no later than 2 weeks prior to the field trip, or by the final deadline indicated on your confirmation email invoice.
• Education groups are responsible for the full balance of their box lunch order regardless of changes in student/chaperone counts on the day of the field trip.
• Box lunch cancellations must be submitted to WOW via email at  [email protected] with a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice. The school or organization will be liable for payment if cancellation notice has not been received within the 2-week time frame as supplies will have already been ordered.
• Please plan on eating a picnic style lunch outside at the main aquarium entrance near the marlin fountain. In case of rain or cold temperatures please plan to eat lunch on your bus.

Wonders of Wildlife will accept cash, credit card, check or purchase orders for education groups.

• If paying with cash, please pay in big bills. Small bills slow down the check-in process.
• If paying with a purchase order, please provide a printed out copy at the Aquarium ticket counter during check in.
• If paying with a prewritten check, please make it for the exact amount. No refunds will be granted once payment has been collected.
• Please come prepared with your student and chaperone numbers. Once wristbands have been handed out, if you have received extra, please take the unused wristbands to the Guest Services counter.

Education group field trip tickets may not be upgraded to a membership.

Memberships may not be used by students or required chaperones.

Additional chaperones beyond the required 1:8 may use their memberships. Guest passes may not be used.

Wonders of Wildlife will provide a complementary planning ticket to be used 1-2 weeks prior to a confirmed field trip. Please use this ticket to tour the facility and identify specific galleries and exhibits you would like your students and chaperones to focus on. You may also use this time to create custom scavenger hunts for your group.

< 25 students = 1 teacher planning ticket

> 25 students = 2 teacher planning tickets

To redeem your teacher planning ticket(s), please email  [email protected]  with the following information:

• Reservation Name
• Reservation Date
• Order number
• Teacher name(s)
• Teacher school email(s)
• Date & Time needed for planning ticket

Please note: Teachers redeeming the planning ticket will be asked to present a valid school ID at the ticket counter.

We are excited about your visit to Wonders of Wildlife. Please help us by showing the following video to your students and chaperones. This will help maximize your students’ experience as well as protect our animals and facility.

Student Preparation

Share the Plan:  We encourage you to share the itinerary with your students. When students understand what to expect they are less likely to stress, and more likely to learn.

Provide Purpose:  Introduce the field trip as part of a lesson. Identify key galleries, or activities that you would like them to observe and participate in.

Ensure Comfort:  Students should wear weather appropriate clothing and closed toed shoes. Remember, the floor may be wet from splashing animals.

Introduce Vocabulary:  Before your field trip introduce your students to words and ideas that may confuse them.

Make it Fun:  Wonders of Wildlife offers a variety of hands on opportunities with animals. Be sure to make them aware so they don’t miss out!

Encourage Safe Exploration:  There are many opportunities for crawling and interacting with animals at WOW. Students should obey all posted signage and refer to a staff member when necessary.

Chaperone Preparation

Share the Plan:  We encourage you to share the itinerary with your chaperones. Include: school arrival time, meeting location, bus departure time, travel time to WOW, meeting location, entry time, lunch location, departure time.

Introduce Students to Their Chaperone and Provide Name Tags:  Please have your students broken into their groups prior to arriving at WOW. It’s a great idea to introduce your chaperone to their students in advance so that students and chaperones are clear on who is in their group. It’s also great to provide each person with a name tag.

Review The WOW Code:  It’s important that chaperones understand what the student behavior expectations are while here at WOW. Shoot them an e-mail with a link to the WOW Code video as well as any other expectations you have of your own.

Engage Students:  If you are visiting to introduce or expand upon a lesson you are learning in your classroom, prepare your chaperones to engage your students in those topics. Advise your chaperones on the galleries you want them to focus on and provide a vocabulary list.

For important information about arriving at Wonders of Wildlife, please watch this video. Be sure to share this video with your bus drivers and chaperones!

Upon arrival please have the following information ready

• Total number of students
• Total number of required chaperones (1:8 ratio)
• Total number of additional chaperones

Let's Get Started

Please allow a minimum of 72 hours for your request to process. Approval time may take longer based on the volume of requests. Requests will be processed in the order in which they are received.

Contact Our Education Team

If you have questions about our educational offerings or are interested in booking an experience, please contact our education department.

• Phone: 417-225-1162
• Email: [email protected]

Science Field Trips

• Kindergarten
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade
• Fourth Grade
• Fifth Grade
• Sixth Grade
• Seventh Grade
• Eighth Grade
• High School

Building Blocks to Invention Students will engage in STEM based learning through hands-on experiential play.  They will explore color chemistry, experience the senses, sort… Spark!Lab Through hands-on activities, students learn about the invention process, inventors and inventions in American history, and innovations that are changing… Slime Time! In this program, students will become Slime Scientists! We will use special lab equipment and practice safety procedures in learning… Planetarium Shows Newly Renovated! Just Survive! In a fast-paced game of survival students assume the identities of different animals with a variety of adaptations and will… Highlights Tour The Highlights Tour is designed to allow students to explore the many galleries of the Science Museum. This tour will… Dinosaur Discovery Become a PALEONTOLOGIST!! Students learn more than just facts about dinosaurs; they will discover how we know what we know… Scutes & Scales Dive into the fascinating lives of some of the most loved, feared and misunderstood animals on Earth: REPTILES! Learn about… Forensic Science A precious object has been stolen from the Springfield Science Museum! Working as teams of forensic specialists, students will examine… Light and Sound Explore light and sound in this station-based program where students test their theories! Explore the color spectrum, learn about the… Charge It! In this hair-raising program, students learn about and explore electricity with the help of a Van de Graaff generator that… Pop, Fizz, Boom! In this Introduction to Kitchen Chemistry program, students will use their scientific skills to make observations, construct a hypothesis about… Building Blocks to Invention Students will engage in STEM based learning through hands-on experiential play.  They will explore color chemistry, experience the senses, sort… Spark!Lab Through hands-on activities, students learn about the invention process, inventors and inventions in American history, and innovations that are changing… Slime Time! In this program, students will become Slime Scientists! We will use special lab equipment and practice safety procedures in learning… Planetarium Shows Newly Renovated! Just Survive! In a fast-paced game of survival students assume the identities of different animals with a variety of adaptations and will… Highlights Tour The Highlights Tour is designed to allow students to explore the many galleries of the Science Museum. This tour will… Dinosaur Discovery Become a PALEONTOLOGIST!! Students learn more than just facts about dinosaurs; they will discover how we know what we know… Scutes & Scales Dive into the fascinating lives of some of the most loved, feared and misunderstood animals on Earth: REPTILES! Learn about… Forensic Science A precious object has been stolen from the Springfield Science Museum! Working as teams of forensic specialists, students will examine… Light and Sound Explore light and sound in this station-based program where students test their theories! Explore the color spectrum, learn about the… Charge It! In this hair-raising program, students learn about and explore electricity with the help of a Van de Graaff generator that… Pop, Fizz, Boom! In this Introduction to Kitchen Chemistry program, students will use their scientific skills to make observations, construct a hypothesis about… 413-314-6430 Email Us Register Resources Newsletter Sign Up

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Springfield Museums

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413-263-6800 [email protected]

21 Edwards Street Springfield, MA 01103

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Greater Springfield Field Trips

The FieldTripDirectory.com is a resource of Springfield, Massachusetts field trips for elementary school students thru high school students, camp groups, homeschool groups and scout troops for day field trips, overnight field trips and youth retreats. Learn about Springfield’s museums, zoos and aquariums, botanic gardens, nature centers, historic sites, amusement parks, recreation, performing arts and more, CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below for further field trip information. For those unable to travel to these locations, check out our  Virtual Field Trips  section or  Outreach Field Trips & School Assembly Programs  section.

• Financial Support
• Children's Museums & Indoor Fun
• Botanical Gardens & Arboreta
• Environmental Studies, Outdoor Education, Conservation, Sustainability
• Farms, Mazes, Pick-Your-Own
• Planetariums & Astronomy
• Science Museums & Exhibits
• Zoos, Wildlife, Safari Tours, Reptiles, Animal Shows, Vertebrates
• Art Museums, Design, Exhibits, Photography & Films
• Early Childhood
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School

Bassett Planetarium

Bassett Planetarium, located in Morgan Hall, has provided programs about the night sky to regional community organizations and school groups. The Planetarium is the perfect place to learn about the heavens.

McCray’s Farm

Originally purchased in 1955, McCray’s Farm has grown from a simple dairy farm to a thriving creamery and a super fun place to learn and discover!

New England Falconry

Experience the ancient art of falconry while learning about the life history of raptors, their role in the environment, and the efforts underway to ensure their survival and conservation at the New England Falconry.

Amelia Park Children's Museum

Amelia Park Children’s Museum is the Westfield area’s best destination for hands-on exhibits and fun learning where children can build, pretend they are a doctor or bank teller, find dinosaur bones and have fun while moving and exercising. 

Beneski Museum of Natural History

Beneski Museum of Natural History has fossils and minerals from around the globe, including dinosaur footprints, a petrified tree and meteorite specimens, which are available to touch. 

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

The Eric Carle Museum is the first institution of its kind, with its special focus on picture book art and seeks to foster connections between visual and verbal literacy. It has several running exhibits that focus on specific picture books and their authors.

Hitchcock Center for the Environment

The Hitchcock Center connects its visitors to the natural world, with programs particularly focused on children who currently live in a world of environmental challenges.

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.

Springfield Science Museum

At the Springfield Science Museum, visitors are wowed by planetarium shows, exhibits of space exploration, ancient fossils and even a live animal center. The museum is also home to the oldest operating planetarium in the United States. 

The Botanic Garden of Smith College

The Botanic Garden of Smith College includes thousands of plants, including those grown under glass in the Lyman Conservatory and outdoors in the campus arboretum, and various specialty gardens around the campus.

Springfield Museums Field Trip

We will meet at the museums (21 Edwards Street Springfield, MA 01103) at 9:45am

Students will participate in two one-hour programs:

10-11am: Scutes & Scales Explore the fascinating lives of some of the most loved, feared and misunderstood animals on Earth— reptiles. Learn about their unique senses, physical features and behaviors, as well as their life cycles and habitats through engaging hands-on activities and a visit with our live reptiles!

11am-12pm: Just Survive! Students experience the challenges of daily survival as they assume the identities of different animals with different adaptations. The object is to acquire adequate food, water, and shelter within their habitat, while keeping out of the clutches of the dreaded predator. This program can be taught outdoors during warmer months.

12-12:30pm: I have reserved a place for us to eat lunch. Either bring your own or purchase something at the cafe.

12:30-3:30 (or whenever you want to leave): Self-exploration of museum buildings.

Located in the heart of downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, the Springfield Museums offer access to five world-class museums, including the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, all under a single admission. There is the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Springfield Science Museum, the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum ofFine Arts, the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, and the Amazing World of Dr. Suess Museum.

Cost: $9/student Children under 4 and not participating in the programs are free

Also, since we are doing a school field trip they have given us a special deal and one adult from each family is free. Additional adults pay $9.

They have a minimum number of students needed to run their programs, so please mark it on your calendar and plan to attend if you sign up.

I will collect the money at TALC the two weeks prior, so we can pay as a group.

Past Classes

• Recycled Art
• Current Events
• Passions, talents, skills
• Fractions and Money (and Food)
• Science Fair
• Lapbooking with Jolene
• Breakfast Party

Past Fieldtrips

• Samascott Corn Maze
• Bronx Zoo Trip
• Henry Hudson Planetarium
• Plant Identification
• Mud Creek - Ecology
• FASNY Museum of Firefighting Field Trip

Plan a Field Trip

The Illinois State Museum in Springfield is offering onsite field trips at this time based on staff availability. See our  Visitor Information Page  for the latest details and reservations.   Please visit our  Educator’s Webpage  for virtual exhibits, activities, and resources. Our  Family Fun Site  also offers activities that can be adapted to the classroom.  We also have a variety of  online resources  designed for K-12 teachers that covers a variety of subjects.

To plan a field trip, simply choose an experience, and use the contact information to schedule your trips. If you have questions, contact Sarah Davis at [email protected]  or (217) 782- 6044.

Field Trip Details:

• Please bring one adult for every ten students. 
• Department of Natural Resources Biodiversity Field Trip Grants  are availabe to support the costs of your field trip.

Step1: Choose Your Experience

• Option A: Self-guided Field Trip The Museum’s exhibits are designed for self-discovery. All self-guided tours are booked through the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau .
• Option B: Mary Ann MacLean Play Museum and Self-guided Field Trip
• Groups can reserve the  Mary Ann MacLean Play Museum , the Museum’s children’s exhibit, for 30-minute sessions. The  Mary Ann MacLean Play Museum  cannot be reserved in April or May due to the increased volume of school groups visiting the Museum. If you would like to include a  Mary Ann MacLean Play Museum  reservation in your trip, please contact Gabby Antonacci by email at  [email protected]  or  (217) 782-5993 .
• Option C: Educator Led Programs At this time we are offering limited in-person programs based on staff availability. 

Step 2: Schedule Your Visit Decide on your dates, gather your information, and click the link above for information on how to schedule your field trip.

Step 3: Prepare for Your Visit Decide on your dates, gather your information, and click the link above for information on how to schedule your field trip.

ISM-Springfield (Headquarters)

502 S. Spring St. Springfield, IL 62706 (217) 782-0979

Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sun: Noon – 4:30 p.m.

Closed: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day

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Illinois State Museum System

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Opportunities

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Field Trip Directory

Sharing a list of popular places for area kids to take field trips! If we’re missing a favorite, email to [email protected]

Abraham Presidential Library & Museum: alplm.org

Adams Wildlife Sanctuary 2315 Clear Lake Springfield, IL 62703 217-544-5781 30-acre urban sanctuary featuring prairie restoration and nature trails under direction of the Illinois Audubon Society. illinoisaudubon.org

Amtrak Train Station 3rd and Washington Street Springfield, IL 62701 800-872-7245 Take to the train from Springfield to Lincoln for a brief tour. amtrak.com

Barnes and Noble Bookstore 3111 S. Veterans Pkwy Springfield, IL 62704 217-546-9440 barnesandnoble.com   The kids section has a lot to offer!

Children’s Discovery Museum Explore Today! 101 E. Beaufort, Downtown Normal IL 309-433-3444 childrensdiscoverymuseum.ne t    This is a quick drive (50-60 minutes) from the Springfield area, and an outstanding museum for kids of all ages. It makes a great field trip or end of year party option for your preschool or elementary school.

Clayville Historical Site , east of Pleasant Plains. Historic fun clayville.org/

Decatur Area Arts Council Madden Arts Center  Take a tour of the Gallery art exhibit and do an experimental art workshop related to the exhibit. For grades K-8. 125 N. Water, Decatur  217-423-3189 www.decaturarts.org/special-events-trips

Fire Station Trip Contact the fire station closest to your school regardless of where you live. Springfield schools, contact 217-789-2259; they also have a rotating exhibit the Fire Safety Village.

Henson Robinson Zoo Lake Springfield, Springfield, IL 62712 217-753-6217   Visit the zoo animals and all other activities throughout the year. Contact the Education Department at the Springfield Park District.

Illinois State Museum Spring & Edwards St. Springfield, IL 62704 217-782-7386  http://www.museum.state.il.us/ The Illinois State Museum has a lot to offer children each month, themes change year-round! Call for information regarding trips.

Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center 2301 East Lake Drive Springfield, IL 62712 217-529-1111  lincolnmemorialgarden.org   Exhibits plants native to Illinois along 6 miles of trails.

Nelson Center 1601 N. 5th Street Springfield, IL 62703 217-753-2800 www.springfieldparks.org   Ice skating for all ages. They have helpful carts for the toddlers to push on the ice so they can get a good first feel for the ice. Rent the skates onsite.

Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon W. Fayette & Chatham Rd. Springfield, IL 62704 217-753-6219 www.carillon-rees.org   Fourth largest bell tower in the world.

United States Postal Office 2105 E. Cook St. Springfield, IL 62702 217-788-7225 www.usps.com Come and see the works of the mail being processed.

Washington Park Botanical Gardens 1400 Williams Blvd Springfield, IL 62704 Bring your group for a tour of the Garden. Learn more about the Botanical Gardens all while enjoying the beautiful views. Please call ahead to schedule your group tour today at 217-546-4116. For all ages; offered 9 am – 3 pm weekdays. Free. www.springfieldparks.org

WICS NewsChannel 20 ABC Affiliate 2680 E. Cook Springfield, IL 62703 217-753-5656 www.wics.com Come visit the Channel 20 or invite one of their staff to visit your classroom.

Lincoln Homes (especially their trick or treat event)

Dana Thomas House (especially their Lunaria event)

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