Field Trips, Group Tours & Homeschool

The Boonshoft Museum understands the needs of teachers in our area. Whether you are a public, private, or homeschool educator, the Museum’s programs are designed to provide a high-quality learning experience for students while maintaining the fun, hands-on atmosphere that makes out-of-the-classroom learning so enjoyable. All programs are aligned to Academic Content Standards and most include preliminary and post-visit activities.

Schedule a Basic Field Trip/Group Visit

Review field trip pricing and policies below, then book your program online or by phone!

SUBMIT an inquiry form to begin scheduling your visit.
E-mail Education@BoonshoftMuseum.org or contact the Boonshoft Museum Education Department 937–275–7431, ext. 125 to speak directly to our friendly staff.

Want more options? Explore other programs and classes

   

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 Don't forget to SIGN UP for our special Educator email list to receive our weekly emails PLUS the occasional email with information specifically of interest to you and your students!

Interested in scheduling trips to one of our sister sites? Contact Fort Ancient at 513-932-4421, and SunWatch at 937–268–8199.

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Field Trip Fees & Policies

*Please note that the individual scheduling your visit will receive a packet, unless otherwise specified, confirming your reservation approximately one month prior to your visit. Please call immediately if you are unable to keep your scheduled reservation.
Note that there is no refund for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to scheduled visit. A $75 cancellation fee will be charged for any group that does not arrive on their scheduled visit day.

Field Trip Pricing

Self-Guide Tour/Field Trip (includes Science On a Sphere and public Dome shows, excluding 3D movies): $9/person; 2 adults free and required for every 10 children. Minimum: 10 students.

Workshop OR Private Planetarium Show + Self-Guide Tour: $105/8-10 students; $230 up to 22 students; $290 up to 28 students (2 adults free and required for every 10 children; extra adults $9 each).

For all Group Visits/Field Trips:

• Field Trips must be scheduled at least two (2) weeks prior to your actual visit.
• Two adults at least 18 years of age are required for every 10 students and are admitted free. Other adult visitors are charged at the group admission rate.
• Adults are expected to accompany and supervise the students at all times while at the Museum.
• You MUST bring cash, check, purchase order, or MasterCard/Visa with you on the day of your visit. Coupons and other discounts are not valid for educational programs.
• All groups must arrive on time.  If you arrive later than your scheduled time, your program may be shortened or canceled to meet Museum schedules.
• A $75 cancellation fee will be charged for groups who do not attend on their scheduled day.

Learn more about the available workshops and planetarium experiences for your class here.

Self-Guided Tours

A Self-Guided Tour option is available for groups that wish to explore the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery independently Monday – Friday during regular operating hours. Two adults must accompany every 10 students to ensure a quality visit for all patrons of the Museum. Minimum: 10 students.

Fee: $9.00/student, 2 adults free for every 10 students; additional adults are $9.00 each. Please note that two (2) adults MUST ACCOMPANY every ten (10) students to ensure a quality visit for all patrons. 

Book a Group Tour: To schedule a group tour, please call 937.275.7431, ext. 125 or submit an inquiry form.

Students/adults who are Society members will be admitted for free. A photocopy of their family’s membership card is required.

Lunch Facilities

Groups may bring packed lunches to the Museum and reserve our eating facilities at no additional charge.

Lunch times MUST BE SCHEDULED prior to your visit. Space is very limited! Lunches are 30 minutes in length unless otherwise indicated; groups will not be permitted to eat lunch at the facility unless arrangements are made in advance, and groups are required to clean their lunch area before leaving. Cleaning supplies are provided by the Museum. All groups are subject to a $25 custodial fee for incomplete cleanup. See confirmation letter for details.

Shopping

All groups are encouraged to take advantage of our PreShopping Souvenirs Program. This is an easy, convenient way for students to make purchases from the Discoveries Shop without spending additional time shopping. See confirmation letter for details. Groups with 30 students or less are welcome to shop on-site if the group has pre-scheduled a shopping experience at least one week in advance. Ten students accompanied by two adults are permitted in the store at one time. Each group of ten students requires an addition of 10 minutes to your other scheduled activities. Please remind all shoppers that tax is charged at the register.

2018 Homeschool Programming

Join our experienced education staff on the first Thursday each month (January-May; September-December) for a full day of Museum access and specially-themed public programs! 

Admission: $9/person (students & adults); free for members

Don't Forget! All homeschool families must enter through the Education Lobby to receive the group rate; advance registration is not required. Students will receive full access to the Museum for the day, and can choose to arrive at any time. Themed programs will be scheduled throughout the day, and information about that day's programs will be available upon arrival. Please note that all programs will be available to general Museum visitors, and space is not guaranteed.

2018 Program Themes

January 4: Historic Native Cultures of North America
Native peoples living in different parts of North America developed many different ways of living. The Boonshoft educators and curators highlight material goods of these native peoples to compare the everyday lives of Inuit, people of the Northwest Coast, Southwest Coast, Eastern Coast, Plains, and Eastern Woodlands around the year 1890.

February 1: African American Scientists and Inventors
Life today is considerably easier than it was 100 or even 50 years ago thanks to the inventors and scientists who have gone before us. Join the Boonshoft staff for a look at the discoveries and inventions of African Americans that affect us every day.

March 1: Walk This Way
Jump feet first into comparative anatomy as we explore three different ways that mammals walk. Students will compare the structures of mammal feet and analyze how it affects them.

April 5: Food, Fitness, and Fun!
Get moving! This program introduces healthy foods and activities with the goal of developing good habits for a healthy body. Proper food choices, portion control, and exercise will be offered as solutions to the problem of inactivity and childhood obesity.

May 3: The Amazing Body
The human body is an incredible and complex machine. Using mathematic modeling and dissection tools, students will compare elements of human anatomy to other mammals and discovery how similar we really are.

September 6: Robots and Us
Robots are taking over the museum! Join educators at the Boonshoft to get started on your robotics education. Students will learn basic coding and programming concepts.

October 4: Candy Science
Science is oh-so-sweet! Candy is loved by all, but did you know that most candy is a work of complex chemistry? Students get hands on with some sugary treats in order to understand hydrophobic dyes, crystalline structures, triboluminescence, and more!

November 1: Webs of Life
Explore the basic needs of organisms and their role in the environment. Students learn how animals interact with one another and trace the connections to form food webs. Predator-prey relationships are demonstrated with an owl pellet dissection.

December 6: Hibernation and Migration
As much as they would probably like it, animals of Ohio do not have space heaters! Instead, when the weather gets colder, plants and animals hunker down for a long winter. Students will discover what methods are used to sustain life during the most barren time of year.

*NOTE: Looking for other dates, times, and specific programs for homeschool families? Consider booking a field trip just for you! Group minimum is only ten (10) students, with 2 adults admitted free. See above for complete details and guidelines.