Field Trip Resources

We have resources that you can use before, during, and after your field trip, including classroom activities and tips for your chaperones. Check out our new Student Guides and Chaperone Guides that connect with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Recommended Planning Tools

Student Planning Page
Fill out this student planning page (PDF) with your students to help them prepare for the day logistically. It will help them remember things such as what to bring, who is in their group, and why they are going on a field trip.

Chaperone Tips
This guide will help your chaperones plan for the field trip. It includes tips on exploring exhibits with students, as well as space to record meeting times and places. Available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

• Chaperone Tips, English (PDF)
• Chaperone Tips, Spanish (PDF)
• Chaperone Tips, Chinese (PDF)

Going Deeper During Your Visit

These resources can add structure to your visit—they're free and usually take about 30 minutes of field trip time.

Chaperone Guides: Grades K–5
These chaperone guides help chaperones focus students' explorations and connect their experiences to the Next Generation Science Standards. They don’t require students to use paper and pencil; the chaperones will document the students' experiences.

• It's Alive! (PDF) (Based on kindergarten NGSS standards; appropriate for grades K–2)
• Exploring Sound (PDF) (Based on first-grade NGSS standards; appropriate for grades K–2)
• Changing Landscapes (PDF) (Based on second-grade NGSS standards; appropriate for grades 2–5)
• Exploring Magnets (PDF) (Based on third-grade NGSS standards; appropriate for grades 2–5)
• Energy on the Move! (PDF) (Based on fourth-grade NGSS standards; appropriate for grades 4–6)
• Sun, Shadow, and Seasons (PDF) (Based on fifth-grade NGSS standards; appropriate for grades 4–6)

Student Guides: Grades 6–8
These student guides help students focus their explorations and connect their exhibit experiences to the Next Generation Science Standards. They do not require students to use a pen and paper; the students will use their smartphones to make short videos.

• Note to Teachers: Constructing Explanations (PDF) (Grades 6–8)
• Constructing Explanations (PDF) (Grades 6–8)

Open Pathways
Customize a scavenger hunt.
Grade Level: All Grades
Time Commitment: 5 minutes to multiday
Encourage your students to share their exhibit experiences and make content connections across exhibits. 
Scavenger hunt ideas.

Juicy Questions Guide: K-12
The Juicy Questions activity helps you use inquiry as a way to deeply engage with any exhibit here at the Exploratorium.

Going Deeper in Your Classroom

Activities
Find Exploratorium activities online that reinforce concepts your students encountered at the Exploratorium, and investigate activities that will support future curriculum goals as well.

Snacks
Build a table-top version of one of your favorite Exploratorium exhibits.

Digital Library
Enhance your lessons by incorporating images and other media from our Digital Library. The different collections in the library include activities, images, webcasts, podcasts, and video clips related to scientific phenomena. There are also materials related to Exploratorium exhibits.

Previsit Activities
These activities are designed to help your students warm up their observation skills before visiting the Exploratorium.

In Which One? students use observations to tell their pencil apart from others.

In What Happened? students watch a film clip and learn to distinguish observations from inferences.

 

Professional Development Opportunities

Teacher Institute
Each summer the Teacher Institute presents institutes for secondary science and math teachers. Alumni are invited to attend a variety of workshops and advanced institutes. TI also offers the Teacher Induction Program that supports new science teachers by pairing them with experienced mentors and coaches.

Teacher Institute Teaching Tips
View short videos of Teacher Institute Teaching Tips, a series for science teachers, by science teachers.

Institute for Inquiry
The Institute for Inquiry offers a series of inquiry-related workshops. The workshops are designed for professional developers, but teachers are welcome to attend as well.