Field Trip Reservations
Reservation Information For Field Trips
Making Reservations
- Reservations for school groups greater than nine visitors are by phone only. Call Science Central at 617-723-2500 (open daily, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST).
- Reserve early! Programs fill to capacity, and there is a limit to daily school group admissions.
- Reserve at least 24 hours in advance: Exhibit Halls, Butterfly Garden, Omni and 3-D Digital Cinema films. (Subject to availability)
- Reserve at least two weeks in advance: Planetarium shows, special programs, special requests for Omni films, and special requests for live presentations.
- School field trips and programs are not offered during Massachusetts holidays and school vacation periods: November 24 - 27, December 24 - January 1; February 18 - 26, April 14 - 22.
Science Central
Open daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST
617-723-2500 (voice)
617-589-0417 (TTY)
617-589-0187 (fax)
fieldtrips@mos.org
Guidelines for Student Visits
Educators bringing students to the Museum of Science are expected to plan a schedule that focuses students' attention and creates opportunities to connect learning in the Museum with learning in the classroom or community center. Use our online field trip guide to explore what is available. Also, field trip planning workshops are available by appointment. Ensure that your field trip is valuable learning time by consulting with a Museum educator to plan a focused visit. Contact the field trip planning line at 617-589-0172.
Qualifying for School Group Rates
School rates are available to public or private schools, pre-K through grade 12, that deliver compulsory education (whose primary purpose of learning is required by law). Also includes extended day schools where all children are involved in extended school hours, as well as summer schools that are in session during the summer months. School rates are available seven days a week except during Massachusetts Public School vacation periods.
Chaperone Policy
One chaperone per 10 students is required for grade levels Pre-K - 8; one chaperone per 15 students is required for grade levels 9 - 12. Chaperones must stay with students at all times and are responsible for the safety of the students and the exhibits they visit. Chaperones must be at least 21 years old.
Educators and chaperones must ensure that students:
- Stay with pre-assigned chaperone-sized group at all times, regardless of the students' ages.
- Adhere to the code of conduct established by school systems and community centers. Behavior that is not acceptable at schools and community centers is not acceptable at the Museum of Science. Please note: the Museum is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property.
- Act as a facilitator, encourage inquiry, and assist students in navigating Museum Exhibit Halls and programs safely and appropriately.
- Sit together with students in venues such as Omni, Planetarium, 3-D Digital Cinema, Butterfly Garden, Theater of Electricity, and other live presentations.
Changing Your Group Size
- IMPORTANT: If your group size changes after you make your reservation, you must notify us by 5:00 p.m. on the day before your visit. Contact Science Central by phone, fax, or email: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0187, fieldtrips@mos.org.
- There are no refunds for dropped numbers on the day of your visit. Additional participants above 5 per 100 will be charged regular Exhibit Halls admission. No same-day refunds if you reduce your number of participants by more than 5 per 100. Any additions are subject to availability and are not guaranteed entrance to Omni or other shows/programs.
Cancellations
Notify Science Central immediately: 617-723-2500, fieldtrips@mos.org. Missed reservations without notice prior to the visit date are subject to a non-cancellation fee.
Fees and Payment Rates
The Museum has limited funding available for students who qualify for field trip assistance. Please inquire about this if there is a need.
Exhibit Halls
Educators: Free
Students:
| First Visit | Second Visit | |
|---|---|---|
| September - August | $7.50 | $3.75 |
| September, October, January | $2.00* | N/A |
Chaperones:
| First Visit | Second Visit | |
|---|---|---|
| September - August | $4.00 | $2.00 |
| September, October, January | $2.00* | N/A |
*The $2.00 Exhibit Halls admission during the months of September, October, and January is available for those individual schools with free and reduced lunch participation at or above 35%.
Multiple visits: If you return with the same students, you receive 50% off Exhibit Halls admission. When making reservations, inform Science Central that you will be visiting more than once with your students.
For reserved field trip add-on programs, fees vary:
| Exhibit Halls Add-On | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| Planetarium | $3.00 |
| Omni Film | $3.00 |
| 3-D Digital Cinema | $2.00 |
| Butterfly Garden | $1.00 |
| A Day in Pompeii* | $3.00 |
| *Audio tour is available |
Venue Only (Exhibit Halls admission not included)
| Venue | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| Planetarium Only | $6.00 |
| Mugar Omni Theater | $6.00 |
Payment Methods
Regular Check-In
- Making payments:
- Payment is required upon arrival.
- Payment must cover the full number of students, chaperones, and teachers in your reservation.
- Payments Accepted:
- Purchase orders: arrange at least five days in advance with Science Central. Any amount above the approved purchase order amount must be paid in person via cash, school check, or credit card.
- Cash: large bills are appreciated.
- Checks: made out to Museum of Science. No personal checks. Bring check with you the day of your visit — please do not mail.
- Credit Cards: MC, VISA, or AMEX.
Payments NOT Accepted for field trip participants
Family Memberships, overnight patches, free passes, or discount coupons.
Express Check-In
By paying for your next field trip before your visit, you'll not only save 50% on all chaperone Exhibit Halls tickets, but you'll also save time by skipping payment lines. (Just head straight to the "Group Check-In" cart in the Museum lobby after arriving. Your pre-printed tickets will be there waiting for you.)
To take advantage of express check-in: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), fieldtrips@mos.org.
- Making payments:
- Payment is required at least 72 hours prior to date of visit.
- Payment must cover the full number of students, chaperones, and teachers in your reservation.
- After payment is received, you cannot change group numbers.
- No refunds.
- Payments Accepted:
- Cash
- Check, made out to the Museum of Science and mailed to Accounting, PO Box 847188, Boston, MA 02284-7188.
- Credit cards: MC, VISA, or AMEX
- Sorry, no purchase orders.
Savings and Scholarships
$2.00 Field Trips in September, October, and January
Eligible schools can take advantage of special pricing for field trips available during these months. Exhibit Halls admission for students and chaperones is $2 per person. This discount is available for schools that offer free and reduced lunch participation at or above 35%.
Pair your discounted Exhibit Halls admission with an Omni film for just $3 more, or include a visit to the Butterfly Garden for $1 or a 3-D film for $2. To find out if your school qualifies for any scholarships: 617-723-2500.
Free Film Fridays in March
Thanks to generous support from Museum Premier Partner MathWorks, schools can enjoy a free Omni film on select Fridays in March! Groups that purchase Exhibit Halls admission on one of these dates can also book one free Omni show per student. Tickets are first come, first served
Multiple Visit Rates
If you plan to return to the Museum with the same students, you may receive 50% off Exhibit Halls admission. When making reservations, please inform Science Central that you will be visiting more than once with your group.
Other Scholarships
Reduced Exhibit Halls admission is available for qualifying schools. Funding requests should be processed while making a reservation with Science Central: 617-723-2500. Funding is limited and is distributed first come, first served.
Reduced Admission -- More Ways to Save
Butterfly Garden $1
The Butterfly Garden entrance fee is just $1, which directly covers care and feeding of the butterflies. Free-flying butterflies and moths inspire investigations of their survival strategies, relationships with plants, and physical development. Details.
Timed tickets required. Fee: Exhibit Halls admission + $1. Hours: Exhibit entry times every 15 minutes beginning at 10:00 a.m. Length: 30 min. Location: Blue Wing, Level 2. Capacity: 30 students.
3-D Digital Cinema $2
A high-definition digital projection system presents crisp 3-D images using state-of-the-art technology. Details.
Timed tickets required. Fee: Exhibit Halls admission + $2.
Lunch Options
- Due to space limitations in the café, you MUST reserve a 30-minute time slot for lunch when making your field trip reservation.
- Arrange your lunch accommodations when you reserve your field trip.
- Field trip participants may either purchase lunches in the Riverview Café or bring bag lunches.
Food Vouchers
Available in any monetary amount. Purchase them through Science Central: 617-723-2500.
- Riverview Café Meals by Wolfgang Puck Catering
- We recommend that you preorder Riverview Café meals. These will be prepared in advance for your group.
- Menu options:
Pizza
Hamburger
Turkey and Cheese Sandwich on whole wheat bread
Ham and Cheese Sandwich on whole wheat bread
Chicken Caesar Salad.
All options include a bag of pretzels, Teddy Grahams, 12 oz water, and condiments. Hand fruit is available upon request. Please notify us of any dietary restrictions. - $5.75 per person
- View a PDF of the menu
- Bag Lunches
- If you plan to eat in the Riverview Café, you must reserve a lunch space and meal time with Science Central.
- Staff will store lunches in bins until your scheduled meal time.
- All bag lunches must be picked up before your time slot.
Boxed Lunches
For a larger meal, you can preorder box lunches for $13.25 per person. To order: 617-589-0447, groupsales@mos.org.
Parking
There is no bus parking on Museum grounds except for drop-off and pickup. Buses may park at the Boston Autoport in Charlestown. Details (PDF).
Chaperones and teachers may park cars in the Museum garage and will receive a $5 discount voucher.
Home School Visitor Guidelines
Home school groups of at least nine visitors can make reservations over the phone and gain access to discounted school group pricing for teachers, chaperones and students. We encourage you to collaborate to form larger groups and set up a reservation. Call Science Central at 617-723-2500. Groups of less than nine should go to the box office where normal admission rates apply.
For more information on planning your visit and reducing its cost: Tips for Home School Visitors.
