To find programming options available for your grade level and focus (including field trips, in-person experiences, and virtual learning), permanent and traveling exhibitions you can explore at the museum, planetarium shows, pricing, and answers to 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. After we receive your deposit, lunch space is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

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 Kindergarten groups are allowed one free chaperone per every three students; first-through-ninth grade groups are allowed one free chaperone per every five students. Adults beyond the above noted free chaperones are $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

More information about travel fees are listed on page 25.

For custom programming, plase email us at: CISReservations@cranbrook.edu

SCIENCE SAMPLER (PROGRAM OFFERED DURING SCHOOL DAYS OR EVENINGS AT YOUR LOCATION)
PRICE INCLUDES: 14 school-selected activities (three will include make-and-takes) for up to two hours.
REQUIREMENTS:

  • 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
  • Power outlet
  • Access to water

ONE PROGRAM (MAX 300 PARTICIPANTS PER PROGRAM): $750
ADDITIONAL CONSECUTIVE TIME: $275/HOUR

To customize your Science Sampler, please email use at: CISReservations@cranbrook.edu

PHYSICS OF FLING! (AT YOUR LOCATION)
REQUIREMENT: Minimum 250’ launch range

ONE PROGRAM (MAX 30 STUDENTS PER PROGRAM): $600

More information on travel fees are listed on page 25.

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 (MAX 50 PEOPLE PER PROGRAM): $300

More information about travel fees are listed on page 25.

TRAVEL FEE (BY COUNTY):
Macomb, Oakland, Wayne: $65
Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Washtenaw: $90
Ingham, Monroe, St. Clair, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola: $120
Bay, Clinton, Eaton, Jackson, Lenawee: $145
Calhoun, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ionia, Midland: $160
Arenac, Barry, Branch, Clare, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Kent: $200

For all other counties, please email us at: 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).

To customize your student kits and costs, please email us at: CISReservations@cranbrook.edu

PAYMENT POLICIES:
Are you interested in booking a visit to occur within the next 45 calendar days? FULL PAYMENT is due at booking and the cancellation policies below 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 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.

If we receive a cancellation in writing more than 45 calendar days before the date of your visit:

  • You may reschedule with no additional fees
  • Your registration fee and payments will be credited towards a future field trip before May 30, 2025

If we receive a cancellation in writing 45 calendar days or less before the date of your visit:

  • Registration fee and payments are forfeited

All cancellations must be in writing and sent to CISReservations@cranbrook.edu

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  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 a total two hours from arrival. 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 per every five 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 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.

Fewer 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?
All cancellations must be in writing and sent to CISReservations@cranbrook.edu more than 45 calendar days before the date of your visit to qualify for:

  • Reschedule with no additional fees
  • Your registration fee and deposit(s) will be credited towards a future field trip occurring before May 30, 2025

If we receive a cancellation in writing 45 calendar days or fewer before the date of your visit:

  • Registration fee and payments are forfeited

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?
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. Sometimes we can request alternate schedules – do not hesitate to ask!

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.

What are the expectations of chaperones?
Teachers and Chaperones are expected to remain with their group at all times – always watching over the children in your care. We ask that phones be silenced during program time and limit adult-to-adult conversations while in the exhibit spaces. Beverages and food are only allowed in lunch rooms.