Field Trips and Traveling
Education Programs
For Schools and Other Youth Organizations
Planning Guide | 2016 – 2017
Welcome to the EcoTarium!
Table of Contents
Learning and discovery are around every corner of the
EcoTarium’s 55-acre grounds and three-floor museum.
Whether you are a teacher, scout leader, or other youth group
field trip coordinator, this Planning Guide will help you select
the right program for your group’s next visit.
Page 1
Page 2 Teacher Information
Night Journeys: Overnight Adventures
Page 3-4
Page 5-6
Traveling and Onsite Education Programs
Groups that visit the EcoTarium enjoy our exhibits, wildlife,
and grounds, and have the option to book our Education
Programs. From animals and astronomy to electricity, rockets,
and beyond, our Education Programs are designed to
combine fun and learning for your group.
Planetarium and Theater Programs
Highlighted Exhibits
Teacher Information
Night Journeys: Overnight Adventures
Teachers, you can scout out the museum’s exhibits and
grounds prior to your school’s field trip. Just show your
educator ID and get free General Admission.
Bring your students, scouts, or youth group on a unique
overnight adventure. You’ll enjoy a night of special
programming and exploration tailored to your choice of one
of eight themes. Whether you dive into dissecting a squid
or landing a probe on Mars, every overnight includes a full
museum experience complete with a planetarium show
and morning wildlife tour. Designed expressly for groups
of children ages 6-16, overnights at the EcoTarium are
educational, interactive, and fun!
Check out ecotarium.org/resources for the following
resources:
Find out how all of the EcoTarium’s Education Programs
are correlated with the Massachusetts Science and
Technology/Engineering Curriculum Frameworks, and
where links have been made to the Common Core State
Standards for Math and English Language Arts, as well
as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Download a chaperone guide, an EcoTarium property
map, and other helpful resources.
Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive informative
educator-specific emails.
The EcoTarium can customize educational and professional
development programs for schools through the Arthur M.
Pappas Center for School Programs and the C. Jean
McDonough Center for School Partnerships. For information
contact our Professional Development team at
[email protected].
[1]
Field Trip and Onsite Education Program Pricing
Traveling Education Program Pricing
Reservations and Booking
Accessibility
Lunch and Parking
EcoTarium Field Trips and Traveling Education Programs | Planning Guide | 2016 – 2017
Pricing
Night Journeys are offered to groups of 28 or more on
Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to
8:00 a.m. Cost is $50 per person, including children and
their adult chaperones. Children must be age 6 or older to
participate. There is no admission discount for teachers.
Visit ecotarium.org for more information!
Planning Your Field Trip to the EcoTarium
Planning Your Traveling Education Program
Pricing
Group rate is $8 General Admission per student and
chaperone and gives full access to our museum and
grounds. General Admission is free for teachers with
educator ID. Minimum booking is 10 children, 5 for
special needs groups. One adult chaperone is required
per 10 children (1:5 for preschool groups).
Pricing
The cost for EcoTarium Traveling Education Programs is $300
for the first session (up to 20 students in grade PreK; up to 30
students in grades K-8), $150 for each additional session (same
program, consecutive sessions) at the same location. Each
program session is 45 minutes. Travel fees apply for sites more
than 15 miles one-way from the museum. Additional fees apply
when booking programs at non-consecutive times or when
booking more than one program topic. Additional stipulations
and fees may apply.
Education Programs enhance your group’s experience.
Programs are an additional $5 per person and last 45
minutes. These programs are described on pages 3-6.
(Minimum charge is $100 per group.) All Traveling
Education Programs are also offered as Onsite Programs.
The Explorer Express Train (seasonal) offers an enjoyable
12-minute ride around our property and is an additional
$3 per person. (Minimum charge is $60 per group.)
School Group 1/2 Off Special!
Visit us in November or January and save 50% on
museum group rate General Admission
(Education Program fees and train fares additional).
Field Trip Reservations Information
A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required four weeks
before your visit. All students, teachers and chaperones
must be included in the group reservation and paid for
by one contact person. Teachers receive free General
Admission to the museum but all Education Program
charges are per person, including teachers. The total
headcount is required two weeks before your visit.
The balance is due upon arrival.
Program capacity ranges from 30 -100 students;
we can discuss all options when you contact our
Reservations team.
Accessibility
Much of the museum and grounds is wheelchair
accessible, including a car on the Explorer Express Train.
We will work with you to meet your group’s specific
needs. Please let us know during booking if you need
free admission for a one-on-one aide.
Lunch and Parking
A first-come, first-served indoor snack area offers space
for group lunches year-round. Your group can enjoy our
outdoor lunch area, weather permitting, spring to fall.
Food service is available during summer months only.
Parking is convenient and free!
Traveling Education Program Reservations Information
A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required four weeks before
the visit. The final, non-refundable payment is due two weeks
before the visit.
Book Your Reservation
Call 508.929.2703 Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m., or email [email protected]. Please reserve
your date at least four weeks in advance. Reservations made
less than four weeks from visit may be subject to restricted
program options and must submit the 50% non-refundable
deposit at the time of booking. To book programs during
May and June, we recommend reserving early for maximum
program choice.
A contract and confirmation of your reservation will be sent
upon receipt of your deposit or purchase order. Your reservation
cannot be confirmed without a deposit or purchase order.
Deposits may be paid by check or credit card. Purchase orders
are accepted for the full amount.
EcoTarium membership, promotional coupons, or library passes
cannot be used toward group General Admission or program
fees. Unless otherwise specified, teachers can show their
educator ID for free General Admission at any time (excludes
special events).
Blackout dates may apply for certain programs.
Administrative charges may be assessed for special requests.
No changes are accepted within two weeks of your arrival date.
All fees are non-refundable.
Reserve Today 508.929.2703
[2]
Traveling and Onsite Education Programs
Touchable Tales
PreK
Sun Angle and the Seasons
How do animals find their homes, food, and
friends? Learn about animals through a themed
storybook reading, touchable bones and pelts,
and visit with a live animal.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Animal Adaptations,
Ecosystem Interactions, Using Our 5 Senses
Turtles in New England
PreK-2
How do turtles survive the cold New England
winter? Meet a live turtle and gather information
about a turtle’s habitat and life cycle through
interactive learning stations and optional
themed storybook reading.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Animal Life Cycles,
Describing Patterns, Reading Informational Texts
Animal Adaptations
K-2, 3-5, 6-8
What structures and behaviors do animals
exhibit that help them survive? Observe
live animals, bones and animal pelts. Draw
conclusions about how structure and function
influence evolutionary success.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Animal Adaptations,
Biological Evolution, Examining Structure and Function
Threatened Species
3-5, 6-8
Companion Program to City Science:
The Science You Live Exhibit
What happens to the animals that live in an
ecosystem when humans move in? Take on a
real-world conservation issue as you work with classmates
to develop a parcel of land. Meet a local animal most
often affected by human development and learn its
conservation story.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Biological Diversity, Humans and the Environment, Ecosystem Dynamics, Building Evidence-based Arguments
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Programs available
September 1, 2016 - June 21, 2017
EcoTarium Field Trips and Traveling Education Programs | Planning Guide | 2016 – 2017
3-5, 6-8
How do the relative positions of the sun and
earth change over the course of the day and the
course of the year? Measure these changes through handson activities and demonstrations and discover the reason for
the seasons! (The perfect culmination of this subject is a visit
to the EcoTarium to view our live, interactive planetarium
program: Earth Seasons and Moon Phases.)
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Earth’s Place in the Universe, Seasonal Patterns of Change, Using Models and Scientific Tools
Designing for Wind
3-5, 6-8
How can you design an efficient wind turbine
that converts wind energy into electricity? Build a
working wind turbine, measure its performance,
and learn firsthand how the design process can create
better products!
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Energy Transfer,
Natural Resource Use, Engineering Design and Process
Rocket Launch!
3-5, 6-8, HS
Does a rocket’s shape affect its flight? Use
engineering, math and physics to design and
build rocket prototypes. Test your design outside
or in a gymnasium using an air powered rocket launcher
to launch your paper rockets up to 40’ in the air!
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Newton’s Laws of Motion,
Energy and Forces, Engineering Design and Process
Onsite Education Programs
Programs available
September 1, 2016 – June 21, 2017 unless otherwise specified
Build Your World PreK-3
Pond Ecosystems
What properties make a structure stand or a
bridge span? Discover your inner engineer as you
manipulate materials in a real-life building design challenge.
Available March – June and
September – November
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Motion and Stability,
Engineering Design and Process
The Art of Science Observation K-2, 3-5, 6-8
What’s the difference between an observation and
an inference? How can drawings, models, or graphs
help us learn more about natural history? Compare ideas and
practice arguing from evidence in this engaging, in-depth
look at fascinating elements from our collection that are
normally kept behind the scenes! Themes: Sea and Shore
(K-2), Rocks and Minerals (3-5), Scientific Models Through
Time (6-8, HS)
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Asking Questions,
Constructing Explanations, Building Evidence-based Arguments
K-2, 3-5, 6-8, HS
What life forms live in our pond? Is this
ecosystem healthy? Answer these questions
and more after visiting our pond habitat and using authentic
scientific tools to collect and observe microscopic organisms.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Animal Life Cycles,
Food Webs, Measuring and Modeling Data
Understanding Weather
2, 3-5, 6-8
Companion Program to The Arctic Next Door:
Mount Washington Exhibit
Why does the weather change from day to day and season
to season? How are weather and climate different? What
variables affect the weather? Experience the forces driving
weather through interactive demonstrations, careful
observation, and scientific analysis.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Earth’s Systems,
Matter and Its Interactions, Observing and Analyzing Data
Animal Tracks and Signs
K-2, 3-5
What is living wild on the EcoTarium grounds?
After an indoor, hands-on learning session with
real biofacts, go outdoors and search high and
low for animal evidence.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Biological Diversity,
Ecosystem Interactions, Habitat Exploration
Wide World of Insects
K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Available May – June and
September – October
How do entomologists study insects that live
in different habitats? Experience a real-world
science expedition when you head outside to collect insects
and other invertebrates using scientific tools and methods.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Animal Life Cycles, Ecosystem
Interactions, Earth and Human Activity, Using Scientific Tools
Invisible Forces: Electricity and
Magnetism 3-5, 6-8
What causes static electricity? What makes a
magnet? How is lightning formed? Why do
the lights go on and off with the flick of a
switch? How is current electricity generated? Are magnetic
and electrical forces related? Explore the answers to these
questions, and more, through hands-on demonstrations
and interactive experiments.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Forces and Motion, Forms of Energy, Matter and Its Interactions, Observing and Analyzing Data
City Hot Zones 3-5, 6-8, HS
Available January 2017 / Companion Program
to City Science: The Science You Live Exhibit
How can people make changes in their homes,
neighborhoods, and cities to keep them cooler during the
summer months? Do building materials matter in a world
where climate is shifting? Put your decision-making skills to
the test in this real-world design challenge. Evaluate your
design prototype using infrared technology.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Matter and Its Interactions, Earth and
Human Activity, Engineering Design and Process, Observing and Analyzing Data
Reserve Today 508.929.2703
[4 ]
Planetarium and Theater Programs
Programs available year round
Shown in the Alden Digital Planetarium: A National Geographic Theater
Participants experience life on earth to the farthest reaches of space in these full-dome film programs.
Students are encouraged to bring their questions for a grade-appropriate discussion with a Museum Educator
following each show.
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure PreK-2
Asteroid: Mission Extreme 3-5, 6-8, HS
Join Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Elmo to learn about the night
sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from ZhimaJie, the Chinese coproduction of Sesame Street. Together, they learn about the
stars and the sun, our closest star. Take an imaginary trip to the
moon where they learn that the moon is very different from Earth,
including the effect of forces on motion of objects in low gravity.
An Adler Planetarium production produced by Sky-Skan, Inc.
Set off on an epic journey to discover how
asteroids are both a danger and an opportunity.
Explore what it would take for astronauts to reach an
asteroid and how such an adventure could benefit
humankind.
Co-Produced by National Geographic Studios and SkySkan.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Earth in the Solar System, Forces and Motion
The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather PreK-2
Take a rollercoaster ride across the solar system with characters
from the public television series, The Zula Patrol. Learn about the
basic characteristics of the first four planets, and in particular, how
their differences generate different weather patterns from the ones
we experience on Earth. The Zula Patrol series and dome show
were created by Zula USA, LLC.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Earth and Space Science,
Weather and Natural Hazards
Secret of the Cardboard Rocket PreK-2, 3
Climb aboard a homemade rocket with two young explorers
for an imaginative tour through our solar system. With a wise
old astronomy book as their guide, they travel through space
dodging through Saturn’s rings, cruising through an asteroid belt,
and discovering what makes Earth unique among the planets.
Animated production by Clark Planetarium.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Earth and Space Science,
Weather and Natural Hazards
Back to the Moon for Good 3-5, 6-8, HS
The challenge: land a robotic spacecraft on the Moon, navigate
500 meters, and send video, images and data back to Earth.
This full dome, animated program chronicles international
teams competing for the Google Lunar XPRIZE, a global
competition designed to spark imagination and inspire a renewed
commitment to space exploration.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Earth in the Solar System,
Engineering and Technology Design
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EcoTarium Field Trips and Traveling Education Programs | Planning Guide | 2016 – 2017
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Universe and Its Stars, Earth in the
Solar System, Engineering and Technology Design
Passport to the Universe 3-5, 6-8, HS
Experience the immense distances from Earth to the edge
of the observable universe and discover how stars are
born in the heart of the Orion Nebula. The journey ends
with a trip home through a black hole in this immersive
voyage. Developed by the American Museum of Natural
History in collaboration with NASA.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Universe and its Stars,
Earth in the Solar System
Mysteries of the Unseen World
3-5, 6-8, HS
Set off on an extraordinary journey! The film uses
innovative high-speed and time-lapse photography,
electron microscopy, and nanotechnology to transport
audiences to an enthralling secret world of nature, events,
and breathtaking phenomena not visible to the naked
eye. Presented by National Geographic Entertainment
and Day’s End Pictures. (Not full-dome. This program
complements our hands-on Education Program: Pond
Ecosystems.)
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Structure of Matter, Wave Properties, Technology and Engineering
Astronaut Image Credit: National Geographic Studios and SkySkan
Space Images Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA
Don’t Miss these Exhibits,
Included with General Admission!
Live, Interactive Planetarium Programs
Nature Explore® Outdoor Exhibit:
Connecting Children with Nature
For the following three programs, our Museum
Educators are the guides and the planetarium is
your “spacecraft,” as you visit stars, planets, and
the moon – using a fully navigable digital model
of the solar system. Content may be customized
to your class for an additional fee.
Our interactive outdoor exhibit features several play areas,
each offering unique and innovative outdoor experiences
designed to engage children through various activities. Nature
Explore® draws on field-tested, research-based principles to
support whole-child development and learning, aiding in the
development of critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Nature Explore® is a collaborative program of Arbor Day
Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation.
Our Solar System: Grand Tour of the Planets
K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Become a passenger on this live tour of our Solar
System. Stunning graphics and flybys of all eight
planets precede student generated questions. Topics
covered include what makes a planet a “real” planet
or a dwarf planet, planetary moons, and where you
can find the Asteroid and Kuiper Belts.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Universe and its Stars,
Earth’s Place in the Solar System, Using Models and Scientific Tools
Earth Seasons and Moon Phases 3-5, 6-8
Travel through space and time to learn about the
relationships between the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun.
Question how the Earth and the Moon were formed,
find out where they exist in the solar system, and learn
why the moon has phases and the Earth has seasons.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Universe and its Stars,
Earth’s Place in the Solar System, Using Models and Scientific Tools
Stars and Constellations 3-5, 6-8, HS
Investigate the mysteries of the night sky and the
motion of celestial bodies. Learn about the role of
gravity in the life cycles of stars, discover what a star is,
and find out why some constellations are only visible in
certain seasons.
Science Concepts and Behaviors: Universe and its Stars,
Earth’s Place in the Solar System, Using Models and Scientific Tools
The Arctic Next Door: Mount Washington
Explore some of New England’s wildest weather patterns and
the geology of the White Mountains. Experience hurricane
winds, track local weather, find out how the mountain was
created, experiment with wind, fog, and other meteorological
phenomenon – and even take a virtual trip up the mountain.
A companion Education Program, Understanding Weather
(page 4), is available for this exhibit.
City Science: The Science You Live
City Science, the EcoTarium’s newest exhibit
opening Janurary 2017, dramatically transforms
the museum’s Middle Level into hands-on investigations
of urban science. The 2,500-square-foot exhibit reveals
the science that we don’t often notice: the biodiversity,
engineering, ecology and other science stories happening
right on our streets and in our neighborhoods. As visitors
explore the exhibit, they experience firsthand that the way we
design and build our cities has many impacts – on people,
animals, civic life, and the larger environment.
The exhibit includes seven theme areas, each focused around
STEAM-based skills and subjects delivered through interactive
components designed for multiple age levels.
Visitors are immersed into the science all around us through
a variety of activities, from custom-designed computer
challenges, live animal interactions, hands-on design activities,
games and more. Companion Education Programs, Threatened
Species (page 3) and City Hot Zones (page 4), are available
for booking.
Visit ecotarium.org for current exhibit information.
Reserve Today 508.929.2703
[6 ]
®
222 Harrington Way | Worcester, MA 01604
508.929.2700
ecotarium.org
Thanks to Our Supporters
We extend a special thank you to the following for their generous support of educational programs at the
EcoTarium. A full listing of all donors appears in the EcoTarium Annual Report. Education and professional
development programs are organized through the Arthur M. Pappas Center for School Programs and the
C. Jean McDonough Center for School Partnerships.
George I. Alden Trust through the Worcester
Educational Development Foundation
Association of Science -Technology Centers (ASTC)
Creativity Grant
Elkanah B. Atkinson Community and Education
Fund of Greater Worcester Community Foundation
The Ruth H. and Warren A. Ellsworth Foundation
Dr. Phyllis Pollack and Dr. W. Peter Metz
J. Irving England and Jane L. England
Charitable Trust
Lester and Joan Sadowsky Scholarship
EcoTarium Endowment Fund
Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Stoddard Charitable Trust through the
Worcester Educational Development Foundation
Hyde/Dexter-Russell Charitable Foundation
UNUM
Booth Family Educational EcoTarium
Endowment Fund
Rosemary Davis Memorial Fund of Greater
Worcester Community Foundation
MathWorks, Inc.
Massachusetts Cultural Council
Mark and Barbara Wetzel Scholarship
EcoTarium Endowment Fund
National Geographic
Worcester Educational Development Foundation
The Schwartz Charitable Foundation
Yawkey Foundation
0916CP1M