Field Trips

1. Set goals

Do you want to reinforce classroom learning? Do you want to use the trip to learn about something you can't learn at school? Is this a reward where fun is the top priority? Set goals for your trip to narrow down your activity choices.

2. Plan your visit

• The comprehensive Field Trip Planning Guide 2016 – 2017 (PDF) can be downloaded here for offline viewing and is also available in hard copy.
• View the Museum floor plan (PDF)
• Large groups of 150 students or more

• Museum and venue capacities are limited. It can be difficult for large groups to maneuver throughout the Exhibit Halls and to fit comfortably into our theaters and presentations spaces. Therefore, we recommend school groups break up into smaller groups and stagger their schedules.
• For further consultation on managing a large group, please email fieldtrips@mos.org.

3. Record your planned activities

Make a list of all of the activities that you'd like to include and record start and run times for live presentations, films, or other timed events.

4. Create a timeline

Consider your approximate arrival and departure times. Based on the programs and exhibits you are planning to attend, select a lunch time to propose when making your reservation.

5. Print relevant field trip activity sheets

To enhance your visit, consider using student field trip activity sheets to help direct a topic-specific field trip.

6. Contact us

To have a Museum educator review your field trip plan or to set up an appointment for a phone or in-person consultation, contact us at library@mos.org.

7. Make reservations

Get scheduling information by contacting Science Central at 617-723-2500.

8. Be prepared

Prepare for your visit by using the confirmation information to inform your students and chaperones about the game plan. Be sure to check the number of students, and calculate the number of chaperones you will need.