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Home > For Teachers > Field Trips

We recommend allowing two hours at the Museum for student field trips.

For classes visiting to fulfill science curriculum standards, the most popular combination of experiences is to visit the Discovery Zone, tour the Main Gallery, and select one Science Station and purchase a Science Lab.

For classes visiting to fulfill local history curriculum standards, the most popular combination of experiences is to self-facilitate a visit to the Main Gallery and select two of four facilitated cabin programs. Second grade teachers covering both science and history curriculum may work with the Museum and Science Center Education Department staff to custom design an experience for their students drawing from all program menus.

The Museum has some ability to customize experiences for school field trips. Please let us know if you wish to tailor a visit for your students. To schedule a field trip, contact the Museum Education Department at 970-416-2705.

The following field trips (self-guided and guided) are free with admission.

discovery zone

Some of Discovery Science Center’s best loved and most popular exhibits reside in the North Gallery, all allowing for the hands-on, interactive, self-discovery processes that define our philosophy for learning science.

Facilitation options: self-guided

main gallery

The Main Gallery highlights the human history of the Cache La Poudre River region, with culturally inclusive displays of artifacts from Paleoindian and historic Native American tribes; early European trappers, traders, soldiers and settlers; and Germans from Russia and Hispanic immigrants of the 20th century.

Facilitation options:

Treasure hunts: Picture-based and word-based treasures are available for students, grades K-6. These activities are local history based and help students focus on significant artifacts on display. Please request at time of reservation booking.

Science Stations: Museum educators will set up hands-on Science Stations within the Main Gallery to enhance the experience for your students. Three themes are available: Electricity, Magnetism, and Gravity. All three Science Station options align with Poudre School District curriculum standard for science, grades K-6. Please request at time of reservation booking.

Folsom Paleoindian program: Students will learn about the Paleoindians of the Lindenmeier Site, located 40 miles north of Fort Collins, through the artifacts archaeologists excavated there, including stone projectile points and other stone tools, bone needles, and decorative beads. Please request at time of reservation booking.

courtyard and historic cabins and one-room schoolhouse

Four different field trip programs utilize the historic cabins and schoolhouse at the Museum (for more information about the cabins and schoolhouse, see the Heritage Courtyard page). If you'd like a guided tour, please request at time of reservation booking.

Facilitation options:

Build the Fort: In 1864, U.S. Army soldiers established a camp, Fort Collins, along the banks of the Poudre River. Students will “build” the fort using wooden blocks, listening to diary accounts of what camp life was like for the soldiers, and learn about Fort Collins’ founding mother, the legendary Auntie Stone.

Rendezvous: The importance of the fur trade to North Colorado history is highlighted during student exploration of the cabin build by early settler, trapper and trader Antoine Janis.

Farming in Fort Collins: By grinding corn, throwing sugar beets and carding wool, students will learn about the diverse cultures that contributed to the success of Fort Collins, including the families who homesteaded and maintained a farm while living in the Franz-Smith Cabin.

One-room Schoolhouse: Students learn the “3 Rs” (reading, ‘riting, and recitation) in a turn-of-the-20th-century one room rural schoolhouse by using slates, participating in hygiene inspection and practicing calisthenics.