Group Visit + STEAM Workshop
Bring the world of science and inquiry to your students, Grades K-5, with the Children's Museum of NH's S.T.E.A.M. Innovation Lab (Science Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). S.T.E.A.M. Workshop visits include a 2-hour visit to the museum featuring a variety of creative science inquiry based activities related to the Next Gen Science Crosscutting Concepts (lesson time = 30-40 minutes) plus free exploration within the Children's Museum of New Hampshire. Group Visits + STEAM Workshops can be scheduled for groups of (minimum) 12 Students + 5 Adults, and (maximum) 65 Students + 13 Adults.
Time: Each visit runs from 9:30am-Noon, Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays. Group visits are not available during February or April NH, MA & ME school vacation weeks.
Required: Visit must be scheduled in advance. One adult chaperone, whether a parent or teacher, for every 5 children. Any additional chaperones will need to pay normal museum admission, separate from the group >>
Fees: Group Visit + STEAM Workshops are tiered flat rates based on the number of participants. Adults are included in this count.
12-25 Students + 5 Adults: $250
26-40 Students + 8 Adults: $400
41-65 Students + 13 Adults: $650
*1-to-1 Aides are always free and do not count towards the total Adult Chaperones
Adult chaperones are any adult, whether a parent or teacher, who will accompany the students during the field trip.
Title 1 Schools: Please note, these discounted visits have ended for spring 2024.
Thanks to support from the Lincoln Financial Foundation we can offer Title 1 Schools discounts on Group Visits + STEAM Learning Labs
12-25 Title 1 Students + 5 Adults: $140
26-40 Title 1 Students +8 Adults: $220
41-65 Students + 13 Adults: $340
These fees for Title 1 school visits are not eligible for the 20% Fall 2023 promotional discount.
1-to-1 Aides are always free and do not count towards the total Adult Chaperones.
For Title 1 Schools, we also reimburse 50% of bus costs for these visits, up to a maximum of $200.
Title 1 Schools must schedule their reduced cost visits for a date before the end of March 2024.
To book: A $50 deposit is required to reserve your date. If you are unable to pay the deposit online with a credit card, please email ezaleski@childrens-museum.org and request to reserve a date/time with a check through the mail. The balance is due at least two weeks in advance of your schedule visit. Please call 603-742-2002 and ask for Emily Zaleski to pay your balance. If you need an invoice sent to you, we are happy to provide that. Please email Emily at ezaleski@childrens-museum.org as soon as possible if you need an invoice.
Book Online Here >>
Eating Arrangements:
Food and beverages are not permitted within the Children's Museum of New Hampshire at this time. During the warmer weather months, groups are welcome to bring bag lunches to eat at the outdoor picnic tables or amphitheater in Henry Law Park before or after their scheduled time in the museum.
Chaperones:
All groups are required to have one adult chaperone, whether a parent or teacher, for every five students visiting the museum. Any additional chaperones beyond this ratio will be charged regular admission to the museum. (They may use discount programs if applicable but there is not a discount for attending with the group). Please divide up your students into groups before arriving at the museum so each student knows which group they belong to ("Group A, follow Miss McRae. Group B, it's time to line up" etc.) Adults, please instruct your students (and adult chaperones) that they will need to stay with their groups at all times during their visit. Students are not allowed to roam the museum alone during a field trip.
Masks:
Masking is optional when visiting the Children's Museum of New Hampshire
Drop-in Programs:
Due to the discounted rate of group visits, special drop-in activities happening at the Museum that are available for regular visitors, are not available for groups.
Accessibility:
The Children's Museum of New Hampshire is equipped with both an elevator and ramp access between the two floors of exhibits. The Children's Museum of New Hampshire also has accessible bathrooms, parking and a designated drop-off zone for visitors with disabilities. If you have any questions about accessibility, please email xanthi@childrens-museum.org.
Bus Parking:
After you have unloaded your students by parking along Washington Street, buses can park in Maglaras Park (down Henry Law Ave on the left).
Cancellations:
If you need to cancel your Self-Guided Group Visit, please do so at least two weeks in advance. We will make every effort to reschedule Group Visits that are canceled due to poor weather conditions. The Children's Museum of New Hampshire does not provide refunds on the $50 deposit.
Orientation:
Watch this short 3 minute orientation video with your students before visiting, so everyone knows what to expect and what the rules are at the museum. Please note that we aren't currently offering lunch or snack breaks for visiting groups inside the museum.
STEAM Workshop Topics:
SCIENCE & MATH
Flight: Pushes and Pulls, Grades 1 - 5
Learn all about the forces of flight in this build-and-test lab. This lesson concludes with each student trying out a flying contraption of their own design in our Build It. Fly It. exhibit!
All About Patterns, Grades K - 2
Learn about symmetry, shapes & tessellations while you explore basic foundations of math and create a pattern project to take home with you.
Digging Dinosaurs, Grades K - 4
Explore the Scientific Method by pretending to be a paleontologist! Dig into a mini dinosaur fossil site with other "scientists in training" and identify the dinosaur that has been unearthed.
Engineer a Fairytale - Grades 1-5
Travel around to different stations and solve fairytale themed engineering challenges like making a sturdy house for the three little pigs, crafting a tin foil boat to help the gingerbread man escape, and building bridges for the three billy goats gruff.
Science of Sound, Grades 1-5
Experiment with sound – how do we make it, how do we hear it, how does it travel, and what’s the science behind it?
ECOLOGY & THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Nocturnal Animals, Grades K - 5
This lesson introduces nocturnal animals through hands-on activities and experiments. Students will learn about the special senses these animals have to help them survive at night, and make a project to take home.
River Builders, Grades 1 - 5
Discover the many creatures that build along and within the river through interactive observation. Students will learn how different creatures build, why and where they build, as well as how the river ecosystem supports these builders.
HISTORY & WORLD CULTURES
World Celebrations, Grades 1 - 5
Using artifacts from different cultures students will explore what makes our culture and other cultures unique. Discover and compare everyday items, food, and customs from around the world as you explore actual artifacts from the museum's collection.
Gyotaku Fish Printing - Grades 1-5
Learn about the Japanese art of Gyotaku, aka Fish Printing, and make a beautiful fish print on a piece of fabric to take home.
Decorative Mask Making, Grades K - 4
Learn how masks are used during ceremonies and festivals by cultures around the world. Explore the techniques and materials used to make these works of art while creating your own unique mask to take home.
WHAT IS PLAY BASED LEARNING?
Play Based Learning is essentially exactly what the name suggests - children learning through play. We know children learn through play, but it can be hard to know which activities will target specific skills or learning. We can help! Check out this collection of Play Based Learning Tips >>