Field Trips

Science on the Go!

Science on the Go programming is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at your desired location. Programs are approximately 45 minutes in length. Travel fees are listed below.

Acheson Mobile Planetarium | Capacity: Up to 50 guests per program | Grades PreK-9+ | $475 + travel tee | Additional same-day shows: $300

Requirements: Minimum 14’ ceiling and 30’ diameter floor space on the first level of the venue.

Approaches to Problem Solving | Engineering: Grades 3-5 | Capacity: Up to 30 guests per program | $375+ travel fee

Each additional same-day repeat program: $250

Experience the engineering skill of empathizing with others, the power of brainstorming ideas, and the necessity of creating a design prototype to meet the needs of a predetermined user. Participating in this Design Thinking process includes sharing and receiving group feedback to enhance prototypes.

Dino Tale | Earth and Space Science: Grades PreK-2 | Capacity: Up to 30 guests per program | $375+ travel fee

Each additional same-day repeat program: $250

Work like a paleontologist and travel back in time to visit the land of dinosaurs and uncover the fossilization process. Using real specimens and model casts, piece together the story of those that ruled the land millions of years ago.

Every Rock Has a Story | Earth and Space Science: Grades 6-8 | Capacity: Up to 30 guests per program | $375+ travel fee

Each additional same-day repeat program: $250

Explore and evaluate Alfred Wegener’s evidence for continental drift and the existence of the supercontinent Pangaea with numerous rocks, fossils, and casts from Antarctica, Africa, and Australia. See how new technology and exploration of the deep oceans provided further evidence for the theory of plate tectonics, including how this explains the present-day distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, rift valleys, rocks, and minerals. Also included are plate tectonic events that occurred in Michigan over 1 billion years ago!

How Did T. rex Become the Ruler of the Dinosaurs| Life Science: Grades 3-8 | Capacity: Up to 30 guests per program | $375+ travel fee

Each additional same-day repeat program: $250

Examine fossil casts of T. rex from different stages of growth and development and draw conclusions on how this massive dinosaur’s structures supported its growth, behavior, and overall survival as the apex predator of its time. Recent studies focusing on the T. rex brain, including how it likely processed information and its perceived level of intelligence, will be analyzed.

Light & Sound | Physical Science: Grades PreK-5 | Capacity: Up to 100 guests per program | $475+ travel fee

Each additional same-day repeat program: $350

Focus on the physics of waves to explore and describe the properties of light and sound, and discover how these forms of energy are generated, measured, and controlled. This auditorium presentation utilizes volunteer audience participants. If booked at your location this is a multi-class program.

Matter & Energy| Physical Science: Grades K-8 | Capacity: Up to 100 Guests Per Program | $475+ travel fee

Each additional same-day repeat program: $350

Investigate matter and the qualities scientists use to classify it as a solid, liquid, gas, or plasma. Explore mechanical energy, sound energy, light energy, heat energy, electrical energy, and chemical energy, and the effect each has on matter. Observe how energy is not created or destroyed but can change from one form to another. This auditorium presentation utilizes volunteer audience participants. If booked at your location this is a multi-class program.

Money! | Social Studies: Grades 3-5 | Capacity: Up to 30 guests per program | $375+ travel fee

Each additional same-day repeat program: $250

Explore the compelling question of how we meet our wants and needs in a world of limited resources. Trace the development of human economies across the centuries, with close-up views of ancient and modern currencies from around the world. Ponder how your household operates and create a pie chart budget.

Our Dynamic Earth| Earth and Space Science: Grades 3-5 | Capacity: Up to 30 guests per program | $375+ travel fee

Each additional same-day repeat program: $250

Investigate actual fossils, rocks, and minerals from the Institute’s collection! Consider what clues the samples of glacial till, limestone, halite, copper, and marine fossils provide about Michigan’s geologic history. Gather evidence to support explanations about changes in Michigan’s landscape over time.

Physics of Fling| Physical Science: Grades 3-9+ | Capacity: Up to 30 guests per program | $600+ travel fee

Each additional same-day repeat program: $350

Explore Newton’s three laws and how forces cause motion. Learn the history of the trebuchet and observe the power of physics using the Institute’s three-ton trebuchet, capable of launching a watermelon-sized object the length of a football field or more! This program takes place outside, and is weather permitting, A large outdoor space (the size of a football field) is required for the trebuchet launch.

Requirement: Minimum 250’ launch range

Science Sampler: Grades K-8 | Capacity: Up to 300 guests per program | $800+ travel fee

Additional consecutive programming/time: $300/hour

Students can investigate the scientific world together in an engaging event. Bring our Educators into your school to cultivate an interest in science and extend your students’ STEAM learning through our hands-on science stations. Events typically last two hours and require at least 14 volunteers. Customize your Science Sampler by selecting stations from more than 30 engaging options.

Requirements:

• 14 tables, 14 chairs, and 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.

Webs, Wings & Crawling Things| Life Science: Grades PreK-2 | Capacity: Up to 30 guests per program | $375+ travel fee

Each additional same-day repeat program: $250

Enter the world of insects, arachnids, and more! This hands-on program investigates anatomy, adaptations, and behavior, using models, mounted specimens, and assorted live insects from the Institute’s collection.

What Makes Objects Move? | Physical Science: Grades PreK-2 | Capacity: Up to 30 guests per program | $375+ travel fee

Each additional same-day repeat program: $250

Utilize this inquiry-based experience to explore the concept of motion and study cause-and-effect relationships. Practice scientific processes by asking questions, observing, designing solutions, exploring materials, and communicating ideas, all while discovering what causes objects to move.

Travel fees 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

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