Field Trips

Make a Reservation

Field Trip reservations for the 2025-26 School year open Tuesday, August 26.

Please review the helpful guide below for details around organizing a field trip.

Programs fill to capacity and there is a limit to daily school group admissions. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Please note: school field trips and programs are not offered during Massachusetts holidays and school vacation periods.

Call Science Central at 617-723-2500 to make a reservation. We are available 7 days a week, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Call 617-723-2500

School Field Trip Reservation Fees

School rates are available to accredited public and private pre-K – 12 schools that deliver compulsory education (primary purpose is required by law). Field Trip Rates are not available during MA school vacation weeks.

Visitor	Standard Pricing	Qualifying MA Schools	Sept, Oct and Jan*
Educators	FREE	FREE	FREE
Students: First Visit	$10.00	FREE	$5.00*
Students: Second Visit	$5.00	FREE	n/a
Chaperones: First Visit	$5.00	FREE	$5.00*
Chaperones: Second Visit	$5.00	FREE	n/a

Multiple visits: If you return with the same students during the same school year, students receive 50% off Exhibit Halls admission. When making reservations, inform Science Central that you will be visiting more than once with your students.

The museum offers Free or Discounted Admission for Qualifying schools! See the Cost Planning and Savings section below for more details.

*The $5.00 Exhibit Halls admission during the months of September, October, and January is available for out-of-state schools with a population of economically disadvantaged students at or above 25%.

Theater Shows

Fees vary for reserved field trip add-on programs. Receive a discount if you reserve a show along with Exhibit Halls Admission. All prices shown are per-person.

Theater Show	Add-On Price	Venue Price
Planetarium	$4.00	$6.00
Omni Film (IMAX)	$4.00	$6.00
4-D Theater	$4.00	$6.00

School rates are available to accredited public and private pre-K – 12 schools that deliver compulsory education (primary purpose is required by law), except during Massachusetts school holidays and vacation periods.

School rates are also available for schools with extended days (all children enrolled in the school are involved in extended school hours) or schools in session through the summer months. After-school groups or out-of-school programs are not eligible for the school group rates.

Cost Planning and Savings

Qualifying Massachusetts Schools

All qualifying MA schools receive free admission for their students and adult chaperones with no limit to the number of visits a school can make during the school year.

Qualifying schools are also eligible for transportation reimbursement to reduce the cost of visiting the Museum. These reimbursements are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please inquire about this program when making your reservation.

School groups must have a minimum number of chaperons for their field trip. For children up to age 11, there must be a minimum of one chaperone per every 10 children (with a maximum of two per 10 children). For children between the ages of 12 and 18, there must be a minimum of one chaperone per every 15 children (with a maximum of two per 15 children). Schools may not bring more than twice the minimum number of chaperones due to limited capacity in select venues.

Does your School Qualify?

Qualifying schools serve a population of economically disadvantaged students at or above 25%.
If you are not sure if you school qualifies, please call us to check eligibility.

Non-Massachusetts Schools

The Museum also has limited funding available for students from other states who qualify for field trip assistance.

Qualifying schools serve a population of economically disadvantaged students at or above 25%.

Qualifying schools are also eligible for transportation reimbursements to reduce the cost of visiting the Museum. These reimbursements are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please inquire about this program when making your reservation.

Multiple Visit Rates

Multiple visits: If you return with the same students during the same school year, students receive 50% off Exhibit Halls admission. When making reservations, inform Science Central that you will be visiting more than once with your students.

Payment Methods

Payment for your field trip is required upon arrival and must cover the full number of students, chaperones, and teachers in your reservation.

Accepted Payment Types

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: Must be 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, Discover, or AMEX

Payments not accepted for field trip participants

family memberships
overnight patches
free passes
discount coupons

Policies

Changing Group Size

Important: If your group size changes after you make your reservation, you must notify us by 4:00 pm on the day before your visit. Contact Science Central by phone: 617-723-2500, or email: [email protected].

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. There are 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 IMAX films or other shows/programs.

Cancellations

Please notify Science Central in the event of a cancellation: 617-723-2500, [email protected].

Chaperone Policy

School groups must have a minimum number of chaperons for their field trip.

For grades Pre-K through 8, there must be a minimum of one chaperone per every 10 students
For grades 9 through 12, there must be a minimum of one chaperone per every 15 students
Schools may not bring more than twice the minimum number of chaperones due to limited capacity in select venues.
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 should act as facilitators, encouraging inquiry, and assisting students in navigating Museum Exhibit Halls and programs safely and appropriately.

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.
Sit together with students in venues such as the Mugar Omni Theater, Planetarium, 4-D Theater, and the Theater of Electricity.

Booking Details

Parking

There is no bus parking on Museum grounds except for drop-off and pickup. Buses may park at the Boston Autoport in Charlestown.

Learn more about the Boston Autoport.

Chaperones and teachers may park cars in the Museum garage and will receive a $10 flat rate. In order to receive this discount, you must turn in your chaperone badge at the Information Desk at the end of your visit. Please note that credit or debit cards are the only form of payment accepted for garage transaction.

Lunch Reservations in the Café

Field trip participants may either purchase lunches in the Riverview Café or bring bag lunches. NOTE: Due to space limitations in the café, you must reserve a 30-minute time slot for lunch when making your field trip reservation.

School Group Meals by Restaurant Associates

Pre-order meals are available for $7.25 per person.

Offered in the Riverview Café. Reserved seating, no hassles, and speedy service. Spend time enjoying your lunch instead of waiting in line.

We offer a choice of:

Black Forest Ham and American Cheese on Sliced White Bread
Roast Turkey and Cheddar Sub
Chicken Caesar Salad
Hummus and Fresh Cut Veggie Box
Black Angus ¼ Cheeseburger
Individual Brick Oven 3 Cheese Pizza

Food Vouchers

Available in any monetary amount. Purchase them through Science Central, 617-723-2500.

Bag Lunches

If you plan to eat your bag lunch in the Riverview Café, please note that seating is currently limited. You must reserve a lunch space and mealtime when you make your field trip reservation. Bins will be provided for the storage of your group’s coats, bags, backpacks, and lunches upon arrival. Please advise students not to bring or store valuable items; the Museum cannot assume responsibility for lost or damaged items.

Home School Information

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 fewer than nine should go to the Box Office where normal admission rates apply.

Home School Museum Membership

Frequent home school visitors will find Museum membership to be a better value than standard box office pricing. We offer several levels of membership, all of which include a variety of benefits such as $2 IMAX and Planetarium tickets, discounted parking, and admission to other science museums.

Learn about membership levels and benefits

Library Pass Programs

Many public libraries throughout Massachusetts provide Museum of Science passes that allow up to four people per day to visit the Museum's Exhibit Halls at a significantly reduced rate.

These passes can be used for your home school visit. Contact your local library to find out if they participate and how to reserve your pass.

Drop-In Activities

Students can get hands-on science experience with our Drop-In Activities. Investigate human biology at the Biogen Foundation Exploration Hub or create like an engineer with Design Challenges in our Engineering Design Workshop!

See all Live Presentation and Drop-In Activities