Field Trips
Field Trips
STEM
Take the day off and spend it learning about STEM! Tour NCAR or visit the National Ice Core Laboratory, explore a cave or go on a space mission with other homeschoolers. Learn about the history of air and space travel or see a dazzling planetarium show followed by a peak through the telescope at the observatory.Field trips can be free or fee depending on who's offering. Check their websites to find out what days are free or visit SCFD Free Days to get a listing of qualifying venues.
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Grade-level activities and space mission simulations help foster excitement of space exploration. They also have a planetarium and summer camp. Homeschoolers can register a group for a class mission.
Ages:
5+
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Colorado Springs
Public nights at the observatory allow visitors to hear a presentation, see telescopic views of the stars, tour of the observatory, and explore the clocks, meridian telescope, and library. During open houses and clear nights Denver Astronomical Society members can often be found on the south lawn of the observatory with their telescopes offering views of different celestial objects and answering questions for visitors. A jaunt inside the observatory will allow one to view the world above on an impressive instrument that belongs to a bygone era but still provides the ability to extend our vision in order to better help us understand the universe we live in.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Denver
Enjoy star and laser shows on the 65-foot diameter planetarium screen with dazzling visuals and fantastic sound.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Boulder
Public nights at the observatory allow for peering through the large 18" telescope for a tour of the night sky. You can schedule a session to learn about various astronomical topics and take a guided tour of the skies using the large telescopes.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
No
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Berthoud
The Peterson Air & Space Museum informs and educates the public on the history and heritage of Peterson Air Force base. Visit the terminal, original hangars, Airpark, Medal of Honor Park and museum.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
No
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Colorado Springs
Discover space, science and technology at the museum. The Space Foundation is an interactive, museum destination that advances space-based science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the exciting context of space exploration, development and utilitzation.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Colorado Springs
Wings Over the Rockies is an air and space museum that focuses on hands-on learning with simulators, rockets, aerobatics, and space camp. They have aircraft, space, and rocketry exhibits. You can also try your hand at a flight simulator. The Young Eagles program offers free flights for ages 8-17 once a month.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
Yes
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Denver
The Peterson Air & Space Museum informs and educates the public on the history and heritage of Peterson Air Force base. Visit the terminal, original hangars, Airpark, Medal of Honor Park and museum.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
No
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Colorado Springs
Wings Over the Rockies is an air and space museum that focuses on hands-on learning with simulators, rockets, aerobatics, and space camp. They have aircraft, space, and rocketry exhibits. You can also try your hand at a flight simulator. The Young Eagles program offers free flights for ages 8-17 once a month.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
Yes
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Denver
Take a guided tour into an underground cave and explore stalactites and stalagmites while walking through 15 different rooms and a 1/2 mile of walkways. On the tour, you will learn about the history and geology of the cave and see some of the most beautiful formations. The Haunted Lantern Tour allows you to explore by candlelight on a 90-minute tour.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Manitou Springs
The Catamount Institute allows you to dive into the wonders of nature and science on a field trip designed to develop ecological stewards through education and adventure. Catamount Institute offers pre-designed or custom field trips that are encouraging and inspiring for all students in our local natural areas.
Ages:
5+
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Colorado Springs
SparkFun is an online retail store that is based in Niwot. It sells the bits and pieces to make electronics projects possible. They make the world of electronics more accessible to the average person. Their catalog boasts over 3,500 components and widgets designed to help you unleash your inner inventor.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
No
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Niwot
Wolf Robotics manufactures custom robotic metalworking solutions. Tour the Wolf Robotics facilies for an in-depth look at robotics and to learn about careers in the field.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
No
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Fort Collins
The Florissant Fossil Beds are home to some of the biggest petrified redwood tree stumps in the world. Beautiful, detailed fossils of insects in leaves in the museum. Fourteen miles of secluded hiking trails in the mountains with views of Pikes Peak.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Florissant
Inspire offers STEM, Engineering and LEGO-inspired field trips for kids PreK-6th. Discovery the skills you may need while in an imaginary survival situation, inspired by the variety of survival shows combined with engineering, architectural, and scientific challenges. In another program, students use LEGO bricks to create fun models, code models to move, and use their creativity and engineering skills to improve their builds or create new ones.
Ages:
4-11
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Multiple Locations
The Children's Museum is a place for children to play, learn, and grow. Whether you're climbing a 3 1/2 story climbing tower, stepping inside a 6-foot bubble, sculpting a clay masterpiece, or powering a hot air balloon, there is always something new to explore. You can also sign up for a mini class while you are there to learn about cooking.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
Yes
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Denver
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science features hands-on science for kids and adults with interests in geology, insects, space, history, dinosaurs and health. Be sure to check out the rotating special exhibits for even more exploring. The museum features a planetarium and an Imax with special presentations.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
Yes
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Denver
Discover machines, music and sound, heart dissection, cell biology, squid dissection, electricity, tipis and local history in this science and history museum. Science includes labs in heart dissection, squid dissection, electricity, Jr. Paleontologist, and History Mystery. You can also enjoy the planetarium. History programs are Auntie Stone, Boxedler-One room schoolhouse, and Fort Collins Through Time.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Fort Collins
The Pikes Peak Children's Museum is a dynamic, hands-on, engaging, and fun educational experience for kids. It's a place for children to encounter boundless opportunities for discovery and imagination, sparking a passion for lifelong learning.
Ages:
0-10
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Colorado Springs
The Wow! Children's Museum offers an engaging experience for children with discovery learning. Exhibits include a pirate ship with lighthouse, health clinic, dance and yoga studio, Toddler Beach, pulley chairs, sound and art rooms, science, discovery, play theater, light and shadow, rainbows, market shopping, bank exhibit, blowing in the wind, sandbox, garden, and dance area.
Ages:
0-11
Fee:
Yes
Free Day:
Yes
Homeschool Day:
Yes
Discount:
Location:
Lafayette
A field trip to the NCAR Visitor Center is a fun way for your class to learn about weather, the atmosphere, climate, Sun and space weather, and more. Their interactive exhibits and hands-on Learning Labs help students explore the world around them.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
No
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Boulder
The NEIC determines the location and size of all significant earthquakes that occur worldwide. They disseminate this information immediately to concerned national and international agencies, scientists, critical facilities, and the general public. They offer free tours of their facility by appointment only.
Ages:
9+
Fee:
No
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Golden
The NSF-ICF is a facility for storing, curating, and studying meteoric ice cores recovered from the glaciated regions of the world. NSF-ICF provides scientists with the capability to conduct examinations and measurements on ice cores, and it preserves the integrity of these ice cores in a long-term repository for future investigations. You can take a tour of the lab in a group.
Ages:
All Ages
Fee:
No
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Denver
NIST offers technically oriented guided tours for students in grades 8 through 12. Tours are tailored for the visiting group. Four weeks advanced noticed required.
Ages:
13+
Fee:
No
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Boulder
NREL studies renewable energy and energy efficiency innovations. Learn about technologies for powering our homes, buildings, and businesses, and fueling our vehicles.
Ages:
9+
Fee:
No
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Golden
Public tours of NOAA take place on Tuesday at 1pm. Guests need to pre-register. The tour lasts 1.5 hours, at the Space Weather Prediction Center. Get up to date information on the carbon dioxide record, the National Weather Service, and Science on a Sphere. Groups of 10 or more can set up a private tour, 3rd grade and up.
Ages:
8+
Fee:
No
Free Day:
No
Homeschool Day:
No
Location:
Boulder
