Bring STEM and natural history to life through field trips, interactive classroom visits, and high-quality virtual programs. These opportunities are powerful ways for your students to engage and learn, and foster a greater depth of understanding with museum educators at Cranbrook Institute of Science!

Experiences include programs in astronomy, earth science, engineering, life science, physical science, and social studies, designed for Pre-K-12 classrooms. Our programs are NGSS aligned and address state standards.

NEW THIS YEAR! Get an up-close look at SUE: The T. rex Experience, the most complete, best-preserved replica of Tyrannosaurus rex ever found, and uncover the mysteries about this fearsome fossil.

We are honored to empower educators in providing opportunities for their students to enhance their learning by designing custom science and natural history experiences with us. We can’t wait to see you and your students this school year!

PRICING & PAYMENT

Prices include admission, permanent and changing exhibits, parking, and program-related scavenger hunts for chaperone use during museum visit.

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 $12/person

PHYSICS OF FLING! (MAX 30 STUDENTS PER PROGRAM) $500

SCIENCE ON THE GO!
SMALL GROUPS (MAX 30 STUDENTS PER PROGRAM) $350
FOR EACH ADDITIONAL REPEAT PROGRAM $225
LARGE GROUPS (MAX 150 STUDENTS PER PROGRAM) $450
FOR EACH ADDITIONAL REPEAT PROGRAM $325
CALL FOR MULTI-PROGRAM OR CUSTOM PROGRAM PRICING AT 248.645.3210 SEE BELOW FOR TRAVEL FEES

ACHESON MOBILE PLANETARIUM
FIRST SHOW $450
ADDITIONAL SHOWS $250
SEE BELOW FOR TRAVEL FEES

FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT
(MAX 300 PARTICIPANTS PER PROGRAM) $725*
SEE BELOW FOR TRAVEL FEES
*BASED ON STATION SELECTIONS, ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FEES MAY APPLY

TRAVEL COSTS (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 call 248.645.3210.

SCIENCE ON THE SCREEN!
(MAX 30 STUDENTS PER PROGRAM) PRICE PER PROGRAM $200 (up to 30 Students)
For information about custom student kits and costs please contact 248.645.3210

A FEW NOTES ABOUT REGISTRATION:
Field trips require a minimum of 20 paying guests to qualify for group rates. Cranbrook Institute of Science membership discounts and admission do not apply to field trips.

CANCELLATION POLICIES:
Cancel in writing more than 30 calendar days before the date of your visit and reschedule with no additional fees. Your 50% non-refundable deposit will be credited towards a future field trip before June 2, 2023. Any remaining pre-payment greater than 50% will be refunded.

Cancellations made 30 calendar days or less before your visit: Deposit is forfeited, and any remaining payment will be credited to a future field trip before June 2, 2023.

STEPS TO REGISTER
Plan your experience with Cranbrook Institute of Science through the prompts below. Register online or call us at 248.645.3210 Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm.

STEP ONE: Read through program descriptions at the right to find the right experience for your class.
STEP TWO: Consider the following… Here’s what we will ask you during registration!

  • Will this experience be virtual or in-person? If in-person, would you like a field trip at the Institute, or should we come to you?
  • What time of year are you considering? (Sooner than three weeks from now? Call us at 248.645.3210!)
  • What are your top 3 date choices? We will try to accommodate your top choice and knowing alternate options is helpful.
  • How many students, teachers, and chaperones will attend?
  • Does anyone in your group have special needs?
  • If you’re coming to the museum, will you be coming by car or bus?
  • Do we have permission to take photos of your students during the program?

STEP THREE: There are two ways you can register your class

  1. Online: Fill out our Request a Date form (deposit due within 2 weeks of submission).
  2. Phone: Call us at 248.645.3210.

STEP FOUR: Get ready! Review pre-visit materials and recruit chaperones.

STEP FIVE: Have fun at the Institute of Science or with our educators at your school!

Group Visit FAQs
How many people are required to receive group rates at Cranbrook Institute of Science?
20 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 or tour?
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 planetarium may be rented out for private shows at mutually agreeable times. Private rentals do include museum admission. For school 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 group visits have the cost of programming factored into ticket prices. Foregoing programming will not affect pricing. Admission pricing for senior/private groups is independent of program charges.

What are your group rates for homeschool groups?
Admission is $13 per student for 1 program, $16 for 2 programs, $18 for 3 programs. Chaperones are $12 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?
Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend scheduling at least 21 days in advance of your desired date of visit.

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

What if fewer people come on the day of our scheduled visit?
You are responsible for the amount due for your group based upon the number of attendees reported to us or on file with us 21 calendar days in advance of your visit, OR the number of attendees present the day of your visit, whichever is greater. Please plan accordingly.

What if I need to cancel my group’s visit?
Deposits are non-refundable. However, cancellations received more than 30 calendar days in advance may have the deposit applied to another visit occurring before June 2nd, 2023.
Cancellations 30 days or less in advance of a scheduled group visit forfeit your deposit.

What deposit is required to secure my group’s visit?
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to schedule your visit.

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

When are programs offered?
Group programs are generally offered Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, on the hour, beginning at 10:00am.

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 their scheduled program start time. 

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