Registration for summer field trips is now open!
Turn your summer into an exciting adventure with science! Whether you're a scout troop, classroom crew, camp group, or anything in between, we’ll customize a summer field trip full of fun and unforgettable memories!
Summer Group Visit programs are offered Wednesday through Friday from July 9 to August 29, 2025.
Pricing below is based on a minimum of 20 paying attendees and includes museum admission and the program, as applicable.
Children:
One program $14
Two programs $17
Chaperones: $14
One chaperone is admitted free for every five children. Due to space limitations, additional chaperones may not be able to attend the programming. Lunch spaces are limited. For one program, we recommend visits of no more than 3 hours, or 4 hours with two programs.
ACHESON PLANETARIUM PROGRAMS (Capacity of 75 per show):
Available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 9:30am and 10:30am.
Planetarium programs include:
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure | Space Science | Grades PreK-3
Big Bird, Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu take viewers on an exciting discovery of the Sun, Moon, and stars. They learn about the Big Dipper and the North Star, and take an imaginary trip to the Moon where they learn that it is a very different place than the Earth. They return to Earth to celebrate the idea that even though they live in two different countries, they still share the same sky.
Secret of the Cardboard Rocket | Space Science | Grades K-4
What is the secret of the cardboard rocket? Two young adventurers turn an old cardboard box into a rocket and blast off on an awesome adventure to the most amazing places in the solar system! Join them as they visit the planets to learn what makes each one unique and what makes Earth such a special place to live.
SpacePark360 | Space Science | Recommended for all ages
Riders will dip toward molten pools on Io, dodge flying particles in the rings of Uranus, hold on tight through a loop-the-loop in the canyons of Mars, and more. Nine different "rides" are set to popular music in an immersive experience unlike any other and is suitable for all ages.
Live Sky Tour | Space Science | Grades 2-12
Find the Big Dipper, North Star, planets, constellations, and more in the current sky. Travel from the city to the country to see the magic of the night sky unfold before your eyes!
exploreLAB PROGRAMS (Capacity of 30 per show):
Available on Thursdays and Fridays at 9:30am, 10:30am, and 11:30am.
Dinos Drawn Wrong | Life Science | Recommended for all ages
Every picture of a dinosaur anyone has ever seen was drawn by an artist. Paleontology requires more artistry than people realize. As our science and understanding of prehistoric animals improves, our visual images change too and render some designs outdated. Follow the science and become the artist who predicts how our “mystery” fossil looks. You’ll quickly understand how much the evidence reveals.
Feathery Functions | Life Science | Recommended for ages 6 and up
The single greatest advancement in paleontology was the realization that birds are living dinosaurs! As a result, scientists can learn details about these animals that were previously thought to be impossible to know. Learn about humanity’s terrible first impression of dinosaurs and how it held back our full understanding of these animals for almost 200 years.
Do you have additional questions? Reach us at cisreservations@cranbrook.edu.
SCIENCE ON THE GO! PROGRAMS (At your location):
Programming options:
Acheson Mobile Planetarium Programs| Astronomy | Grades PK- 9+ | Up to 50 Guests per show | $485 + travel fee
Can't make it to the Institute? Let us bring our planetarium experience to you!
Embark on an unforgettable journey in our portable digital planetarium. Explore the wonders of the night sky, distant stars, planets, constellations, and much more – all from the comfort of your location!
All planetarium programs offered at the Institute are also available year-round at our Acheson Mobile Planetarium, except for Spacepark360 and SpacePark360: Lucid Dreaming Edition.
Approaches to Problem Solving | Engineering | Grades 3-5 | Up to 30 Guests per program | $385+ travel fee
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.
Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) Archimedes | Science and Engineering |Grades 3-8 | Up to 30 Guests per program | $385+ travel fee
Utilize the claim, evidence, and reasoning method to investigate an inquiry about matter. Students work in groups to collect and analyze authentic data: measure & graph quantities, apply critical thinking, and connect evidence with scientific principles that support a claim.
Dino Tale | Earth and Space Science | Grades PreK-2 | Up to 30 Guests per program | $385+ travel fee
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 | Up to 30 guests per program | $385+ travel fee
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 3-9+ | Up to 30 Guests per program | $385+ travel fee
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. For Science on the GO! this is a single-class program.
Light & Sound | Physical Science | Grades PreK-5 | Up to 100 Guests per program | $485+ travel fee
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 | Up to 100 Guests per program | $485+ travel fee
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 | Up to 30 Guests per program | $385+ travel fee
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. Interactive activities bring to life marketplaces past and present and the choices consumers make each day.
Our Dynamic Earth | Earth and Space Science | Grades 3-5 | Up to 30 Guests per program | $385+ travel fee
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+ | Up to 30 Guests per program | $600+ travel fee
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, weather permitting. This program can also be done at your location, however, a large outdoor space (size of football field) is required for the trebuchet launch.
Science Sampler | Recommend for all ages | Up to 300 Guests per program | $800+ travel fee
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.
Webs, Wings & Crawling Things| Life Science | Grades PreK-2 | Up to 30 Guests per program | $385+ travel fee
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 | Up to 30 Guests per program | $385+ travel fee
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, communicating ideas, all while discovering what causes objects to move.
SCIENCE ON THE GO! PRICING:
Single class programs (Max 30 students per program): $385
Each additional same-day program: $225
Multi-class programs (Max 150 students per program: $485
Each additional same-day repeat program: $325
Programs typically last about 45 minutes. Travel fees are outlined below. For custom programming, please contact us at 248.645.3210.
SCIENCE SAMPLER PRICING (Offered weekdays or evenings at your location):
Max 300 participants per program: $800
Additional consecutive time: $300/hour
Travel fees are outlined below.
Price includes: 14 school-selected activities (three of which will include make-and-takes) for up to two hours. Program requirements: 14 tables, 14 chairs, and 14 adult or high school volunteers.
*High school students must have an adult chaperone, secured by the school, who provides onsite supervision throughout the program. Volunteers are required to remain with their assigned table/activity for the entire program.*
To customize your Science Sampler program, please contact us at CISReservations@cranbrook.edu.
PHYSICS OF FLING PRICING (At your location):
Max 30 students per program: $600
Requirements: Minimum 250’ launch range
Travel fees are outlined below
ACHESON MOBILE PLANETARIUM PRICING (At your location):
First show (Max 50 people per show): $485
Additional shows scheduled on same-day: $325
Requirements: Minimum 14' ceiling and 30' diameter floor space on the venue's first floor
Travel fees are outlined below
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
All other counties – please email CISReservations@cranbrook.edu
Do you have additional questions? Reach us at CISReservations@cranbrook.edu or 248.645.3210.
Registration for the 2025-2026 school year will open in August 2025. To be notified when registration opens, please email us at cisreservations@cranbrook.edu.