Focused Field Trip Programs

Choose from our three tiers of programming: all ages, older students, or youngest visitors.

Available for all ages:

"Taking Shape"

(Structures Exhibition)

Through hands-on investigations, open-ended inquiry, and geometric challenges, students work together to explore their world in two and three dimensions.  As noted by the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), children interpret the physical world with geometric ideas like shape, orientation, and spatial relations. This focused field trip program re-forms the often-abstract study of geometry into concrete experiences that lay the foundation for children's understanding of spatial relationships.

"Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds"

(Power of Me Exhibition)



The body is an amazing machine with many parts working together to keep it running. Our ambassador for health, Stuffee the 7-foot doll, was generously donated to the DCM by Nemours to teach students about their body systems, proper nutrition, and physical fitness. Students take an entertaining look inside Stuffee's body as removable pillow organs trace the digestive, circulatory, and respiratory systems. A 20-minute Stuffee lesson takes place in one of our lab classrooms and is followed by hands-on activities in our Power of Me exhibition where students will enjoy an interactive exploration of the winning combinations that will help keep both their bodies and minds healthy. 

"Water Wise"

(ECOnnect Exhibition)

Utilize the power of the water cycle and discover the wonders of Earth's most vital resource through water play. At our interactive stream table, children use their problem-solving skills to explore: the natural properties of water movement, tools used to manipulate water, the cycle of water's journey to our glass, and actions they can take in order to conserve. Prepare to get wet, as your class learns about the many uses of water through teamwork and individual exploration!

Available for older students:

"Money in Motion"

(Bank on It Exhibition) 

Earn, spend, save, share!  Find the fun in financing and discover the basic skills of money management through our exciting, hands-on tour of Bank on It. Through open-ended inquiry and a variety of fun, hands-on activities, students will explore the money cycle and come away with valuable math and economic skills they can use every day.

Available for our youngest visitors: 

"Art about the Book"

Discover yourself and learn about others when you share in art activities based on celebrated children’s literature. With a new book featured every two months that ties to content within our exhibitions, the DCM links literacy with art-making.  First, we read our chosen children’s book aloud, then we lead your class in a creative activity that highlights the themes of our tale.  This 30- to 45-minute preschool program takes place in one of our classrooms and includes up to an hour of free exploration in our exhibition galleries.

Featured literature:

Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, by D. B. Johnson
    Supports content from Bank on It & ECOnnect

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, by Marjorie Priceman
    Supports content from ECOnnect & Power of Me

The Water Hole, by Graeme Base
    Supports content from ECOnnect & Power of Me