To find programming options available for your grade level and focus (including field trips, in-person experiences, and virtual), permanent and traveling exhibitions you can explore at the museum, planetarium shows, pricing, and FAQ, please check out our Educator Guide below!

Pricing and Payment

SCHOOL-DAY FIELD TRIPS (PROGRAMS AT THE MUSEUM)
Prices include admission, permanent and changing exhibits, parking, and program-related scavenger hunts for use during your visit. Programs are approximately 45 minutes and start on the hour.

Field trips require a minimum of 20 paying guests to qualify for school group rates. Cranbrook Institute of Science membership, museum passes, and reciprocal membership discounts do not apply to field trip costs.

Lunch is not provided. You are welcome to bring lunch or pre-purchase by calling the Reflections Café at 248.645.3201 no less than 3 weeks prior to your visit. Lunch space is reserved first-come, first-served after we receive your deposit.

SCHOOL DAY FIELD TRIP RATES PER STUDENT:
1 PROGRAM $13
2 PROGRAMS $16
3 PROGRAMS $18
4 PROGRAMS $20

ADDITIONAL FEES PER PERSON: Pre-K and K groups are allowed one free chaperone for every three students; 1st-12th groups are allowed one free chaperone for every 5 students. Adults beyond the above noted free chaperones are welcome at $13/person.

SCIENCE ON THE GO! (PROGRAMS AT YOUR LOCATION)
Programs last approximately 45 minutes.

SINGLE CLASS PROGRAMS (MAX 30 STUDENTS PER PROGRAM) $375
EACH ADDITIONAL SAME DAY PROGRAM $250

MULTI-CLASS PROGRAMS (MAX 150 STUDENTS PER PROGRAM) $475
EACH ADDITIONAL SAME DAY REPEAT PROGRAM $350

CALL FOR CUSTOM PROGRAM PRICING AT 248.645.3210

TRAVEL FEES LISTED BELOW

SCIENCE SAMPLER (offered school days or evenings at your location)
PRICE INCLUDES: 14 school-selected activities (three will include make-and-takes) for up to two hours.
REQUIRES: 14 tables, 14 chairs, 14 adult/high school* volunteers**
*High School students require an adult chaperone, secured by the school, who provides onsite supervision throughout the entire program
**Volunteers are required to stay with their table/activity throughout the entire program
(MAX 300 PARTICIPANTS PER PROGRAM) $800
ADDITIONAL CONSECUTIVE TIME $300/HOUR
TRAVEL FEES LISTED BELOW

Contact us at CISReservations@cranbrook.edu to customize your Science Sampler

PHYSICS OF FLING! (AT YOUR LOCATION)
REQUIREMENT: minimum 250’ launch range
(MAX 30 STUDENTS PER PROGRAM) $600
TRAVEL FEES LISTED BELOW

ACHESON MOBILE PLANETARIUM (AT YOUR LOCATION)
REQUIREMENTS: minimum 14’ ceiling and 30’ diameter floor space on a first level of the venue
FIRST SHOW $475
ADDITIONAL SHOWS SCHEDULED ON SAME DAY $300
(MAX 50 PEOPLE PER PROGRAM)
TRAVEL FEES LISTED BELOW

TRAVEL FEE (BY COUNTY):
Macomb, Oakland, Wayne: $70
Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Washtenaw: $95
Ingham, Monroe, St. Clair, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola: $125
Bay, Clinton, Eaton, Jackson, Lenawee: $150
Calhoun, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ionia, Midland: $165
Arenac, Barry, Branch, Clare, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Kent: $200
All other counties – please email CISReservations@cranbrook.edu

SCIENCE ON THE SCREEN! (VIRTUAL PROGRAMS AT YOUR LOCATION)
PRICE PER PROGRAM $200
Venue is responsible for providing connection link to the Institute of Science and participants (Zoom or Teams compatible).

For information about custom student kits and costs please contact CISReservations@cranbrook.edu

PAYMENT POLICIES:
Interested in booking a visit to occur within 45 calendar days? Full payment is due at booking and the below cancellation policies apply.

A $100 non-refundable registration fee is required at booking to place a temporary hold on your requested date. This will be credited toward your field trip or forfeited if (at any time) the trip is canceled by the school.

No less than 21 calendar days after you receive your e-invoice or 60 days prior to your visit (whichever comes first), a non-refundable payment of 50% of remaining balance, and signed contract, are due. No less than 45 calendar days before your visit, the remaining balance is due. Non-payment will result in cancellation of your visit and loss of registration fee and any deposits.

Final balance due is based on attendance reported 45 calendar days before the date of your visit or the number of attendees on the day of the visit, whichever is greater. Less than 45 days from the date of your visit, balances will only be updated due to increased attendance.

Cancellation in writing more than 45 calendar days before the date of your visit:

  • Reschedule with no additional fees
  • Your registration fee and deposit/s will be credited towards a future field trip occuring before June 7, 2024
  • Any remaining pre-payment greater than 50% will be refunded

Cancellation in writing 45 calendar days or less before the date of your visit:

  • Registration fee and deposit/s are forfeited
  • Any remaining payment will be credited towards a future field trip occuring before June 7, 2024

FAQs

How many people are required to receive group rates at Cranbrook Institute of Science?
20 paying participants. This can be any combination of adults and students.

What if my group is less than 20, but I still want a private program?
You may pay for 20 people at the group rate (even if your group is smaller) and you can still receive a program for your group.

We only want to see a planetarium show. Can’t we just pay for the planetarium?
The Acheson Planetarium may be rented for private shows at mutually agreeable times. Private rentals do include museum admission. For school-day groups, planetarium programs may be selected as one (or more) of the group’s programs.

Can we visit the museum without seeing a program?
School-day group visits have the cost of programming factored into ticket prices. Foregoing programming will not affect pricing and your visit will be limited to 2 hours. Admission pricing for senior/private weekend groups is independent of program charges.

What are your group rates for homeschool groups?
During the week, school-day field trip fees apply. Chaperones are $13 per person, with one chaperone admitted free of charge for every 5 students, after the 20-person group minimum has been met. Teachers are free, provided the 20-person group minimum has been met.

How far in advance should I secure my group visit?
Reservatios are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend scheduling at least 45 calendar days in advance of your desired date of visit.

When are my final attendance numbers due?
45 calendar days, minimum, in advance of your group’s visit.

What if fewer people come on the day of our scheduled visit?
Final balance due is based on attendance reported 45 calendar days before the date of your visit or the number of attendees on the day of the visit, whichever is greater. Less than 45 days from the date of your visit, balances will only be updated due to increased attendance.

What if I need to cancel my group’s visit?
Cancellation in writing more than 45 calendar days before the date of your visit:

  • Reschedule with no additional fees
  • Your registration fee and deposit/s will be credited towards a future field trip occuring before June 7, 2024
  • Any remaining pre-payment greater than 50% will be refunded

Cancellation in writing 45 calendar days or less before the date of your visit:

  • Registration fee and deposit/s are forfeited
  • Any remaining payment will be credited towards a future field trip occuring before June 7, 2024

What deposit is required to secure my group’s visit?
A $100 non-refundable registration fee is required at booking to place a temporary hold on your requested date. This will be credited toward your field trip or forfeited if, at any time, the trip is canceled by the school. How long are your educational programs?

How long are your educational programs?
Most programs are approximately 45 minutes in length.

When are programs offered?
Group programs are offered Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, on the hour, beginning at 9:00am.

How far in advance of my group’s program do I need to arrive?
Groups are expected to arrive no less than 15 minutes prior to the first scheduled program start time.

What if my group is running late?
Please call the Reservations Office at 248.645.3210 or 248.645.3290.