Field Trips at Houston Museum of Natural Science

Immersive, Quality Education

Our goal is to make your experience with the museum as simple, fun, and educational as possible.

It’s easy to visit any of our three locations – Hermann Park, Sugar Land, or the George Observatory – and customized field trip packages allow you to theme your day based on what you’re studying. Our themed packages take the work out of planning a field trip. Simply choose your topic and let us do the rest. Teachers also have the exclusive opportunity to choose the most appropriate films for their class with our Teacher’s Choice and Planetarium Picks for Educators programs in the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre and the Burke Baker Planetarium. All Field Trips require a 3 week notice. Inquiries made within a 3 week time period may not be fulfilled.

About Our Packages

All of our packages are TEKS-aligned and give your students the opportunity to become active participants in their learning. Packages are available Monday – Friday during the school year on a first-come, first-serve basis and fill quickly, so schedule early to ensure your spot. If your program of choice is unavailable, we will make every effort to create a similar itinerary that will accommodate your needs.

Field Trip Prep Guide

Contact

Reservations

reservations@hmns.org

Field Trip Curriculum

Exhibit Hall TEKS

Field Trip Checklist

The Museum requires advance reservations for all visiting school groups.

Download our Field Trip Prep Guide

At least a Month prior to trip (we recommend booking well in advance):

Fill out a Field Trip Request form

Two to four weeks prior to trip:

Complete required school documentation (field trip permission forms, transportation forms, contracts, etc.).
Secure chaperones for trip; at least one chaperone for every ten students. Groups should not exceed 10 students.
Chaperones must be 21 years of age or older.
Coordinate transportation with your district.
Download online curriculum

The day before your field trip:

Adjust final count of students, parents, teachers, and chaperones. Write this number on the Required Teacher Admission Sheet (page 2). All participants who are included in your school’s payment (students, parents, chaperones, and teachers) should be counted on that sheet.
Adults not included in the chaperone count will need to purchase their own tickets at the full rate, if available, upon arrival at the Box Office. You must inform all chaperones of your venue and entry times for your reservation. Museum personnel are not allowed to give out this information for the safety of the students.
Assign students to groups. One chaperone is required for every ten students. The group may not exceed 10 students.
Prepare payment. Final payment is due upon check in. Cash payments must be consolidated into large bills.
Review the Museum Etiquette guidelines with your students and chaperones (page 3).
Ensure that all chaperones have a copy of the Museum Map and your field trip itinerary.
Distribute curriculum to students along with necessary materials.

The day of your field trip:

Ensure that all chaperones have a copy of the Museum Map and your field trip itinerary.
Buses will unload on Hermann Park Drive near the “Bus Unloading Zone” signs. Lunches must be left on the bus unless prior arrangements have been made.
Once unloaded, students will line up outside the main entrance at the “Teacher Reporting Point” while the lead teacher enters the Museum to check in.
During check in, the lead teacher will provide a final count, payment, and the
Required Teacher Admission Sheet (page 2).
Once checked in, chaperones may lead their student group into the Museum. Remind chaperones that they must remain with their student group at all times, and they should arrive at least 15 minutes early to each ticketed venue, show or docent tour.

Safety Tip: Please bring student medical forms and all necessary medications to ensure a safe and enjoyable field trip!

Policies & FAQs

We strongly recommend scheduling your trip early in the school year to avoid overcrowding and the possible unavailability of your ideal dates and programs.

How do I make a reservation? E-mail us at reservations@hmns.org or Submit the field trip booking form. A representative will get in touch with you to finalize your reservation.

Who can take a field trip? To qualify for school group discounts, you must belong to an educational organization (K-12), make advance reservations, and visit us Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. We require a minimum of 10 students to qualify for the field trip rate.

What if I have fewer than ten students? Groups of fewer than 10 students may still book a field trip; however, they will be charged for 10 students plus any chaperones. Our representatives are available to help determine the most cost-efficient method for your group to visit the Museum. Regular admission tickets may be purchased at the box office at any time.For an established field trip, the person who booked the trip may call (713) 639-4659 at any time prior to the day of arrival to add or subtract people from the reservation. Groups that fall below 10 students will be charged for 10 students plus any chaperones.

Do homeschool groups count as field trips? Homeschool groups with 10 students (K-12th grade) or more and visit the Museum Monday-Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. qualify for the field trip rate. Trips after 5 p.m. or on weekends do not qualify for field trip rates. If your group has less than 10 students, you may still be qualify for the field trip rate, but you will be charged for 10 students.

How many chaperones do I need? We require one chaperone for every group of ten students, and the chaperone must remain with their student group at all times. Chaperones must be at least 21 years of age and must wear their chaperone sticker. All adults (teachers, parents, and bus drivers) accompanying the field trip will be charged for a ticket; chaperones on the reservation will be eligible to receive the field trip rate. Those not included on the chaperone count (including teachers, parents, and bus drivers) will need to purchase their own tickets at the full rate, if available, on arrival.

How do I pay for my field trip? Field trips may be paid for in advance, by calling 713-639-4659 or mailing a check, or on the day of the trip. If you choose to pay on the day of the trip, the Museum will accept school district checks, credit cards, or cash (large bills only). A purchase order (PO) will not be accepted. Field trips must be paid for in one transaction. If paying separately, all students and chaperones on the reservation must give their payment to one person who will present the money at the box office.

School checks should be mailed no later than two weeks before the field trip to:
Attn: School Services Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Drive Houston, TX 77030

Do teachers have to pay? Yes, teachers are considered chaperones and are charged the field trip rate as long as they are included on the reservation. If they are not included on the reservation, they will be charged the normal adult rate.

Can I change my itinerary? Adding or removing venues from a reservation requires a 24-hour notice. On the day of the trip, after the tickets have been printed, nothing on the reservation may be changed.

What if I need to cancel the trip? Can I get a refund? Cancellations must be made four business days in advance. After that time, you will be charged for the entire reservation. Refunds will be made only in the event of Museum equipment failure, power failures, malfunctions in projection equipment, etc. No other refunds will be issued.

More Ways To Learn

Early Investigations

Early Investigations is the museum’s science enrichment program for children in K to 3rd grade.

Consisting of an engaging classroom session and an interactive guided tour of one exhibit hall, the Early Investigations program is 1.5 hours of fun, scientific exploration! Students will handle real artifacts and specimens and participate in crafts and activities.

If you have more than the maximum number of kids, please email us for options:

reservations@hmns.org

Book an Early Investigations Field Trip

A Reservation Coordinator will contact you within 3-5 business days to complete your booking request.

K to 3rd Grade

Early Investigations is the museum’s science enrichment program for children in grades K–3rd. Consisting of an engaging classroom session and interactive guided tour of one exhibit hall, the EI program is 1.5 hours of fun, scientific exploration! Students will handle real artifacts and specimens and participate in crafts and activities.

Paleontology: Fun with Fossils

What are fossils? Investigate bones, claws, teeth, and more as students become junior paleontologists and study real fossil specimens up close and personal. Explore the adaptations of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals on a guided tour of the Morian Hall of Paleontology.
Maximum capacity: 100.

Insect Zoo: Butterfly Center

Exciting renovations are in progress for the Cockrell Butterfly Center. Please contact us for options and availability. Why do butterflies have such bright colors? How many legs do insects have? Investigate the characteristics, life cycle and various structures of common insects. Experience the rainforest in a guided tour of the Cockrell Butterfly Center and Brown Hall on Entomology and get an up-close look at a wide variety of bugs and butterflies.
Maximum capacity: 100.

Texas Wildlife: Diverse Ecosystems

Explore the mammals, birds and reptiles native to Texas, learning the adaptations that help them thrive in different ecosystems. On a guided tour of the Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife, students will explore the fascinating creatures that populate our Texas landscapes.
Maximum capacity: 70.

Native North Americans

Meet North America’s earliest residents and learn how they survived in the environment in which they lived. Investigate their tools, homes, foods and sources of entertainment. In the McGovern Hall of North America, encounter groups from the Inuits in Alaska to the Navajo of the Plains.
Maximum capacity: 70.

Malacology: Under the Sea

Dive into the fascinating world of sea creatures, including squids, oysters, whelks, giant turtles and more! Students will have the opportunity to view real marine specimens in the Strake Hall of Malacology and in the Hammond Hall of Texas Coastal Ecology.
Maximum capacity: 100.

2nd & 3rd Grade

Book a Group Lab

A Reservation Coordinator will contact you within 3-5 business days to complete your booking request.

Group Labs

Explore science, nature, and history in our interactive science labs—featuring specimens, artifacts, and laboratory equipment.

Each in-person lab lasts one hour and accommodates up to 25 students. In-person lab costs range between $225 and $550 per lab and include admission to the Museum’s Permanent Exhibit Halls. Virtual Group Lab costs range between $150 and $250 per lab.

School Year Programs Guide

Weekday Labs

Labs on Demand

Virtual Group Labs

With our Virtual Group Labs, you can bring the excitement of HMNS into your home! With two different virtual formats to choose from, we’ve got the options you need for any topic or audience. Please note: Basic school supplies and a printer may be necessary.

How to Book

After reviewing the information below, email us at reservations@hmns.org or utilize the fillable form below to book your Lab. If you have any questions on which program would be best for your group, we’d be happy to provide recommendations!

Virtual Group Lab Formats

Choose between pre-recorded and live, virtual Group Labs depending on your program’s and audience’s needs.

Pre-Recorded Group Labs

Pre-recorded Group Labs feature our dynamic museum educators along with museum specimens to bring some of our favorite scientific and cultural concepts to life. Your group or class will have 24 hours of access to the content, so they can watch the presentation as many times as they would like. Scroll down for a list of the topics that are available as pre-recorded presentations. More topics coming soon!

Pricing: As an introductory offer for our virtual, pre-recorded Group Labs, you and your audience get 24 hours of access to the topic of your choosing for only $150. Once you book with us and select your access date, you’ll receive a password-protected link you can share with your audience. You’ll also receive the password that will be active on the date of your program. Your audience will be able to log on using the designated password to watch the presentation at any time that fits their schedule on the date of your program. Virtual Group Labs are available from 8 a.m. on the date of your choosing until 8 a.m. the following day. During that time, your audience can watch the video at any time and as many times as they would like.

Live, Virtual Group Labs

Choose from our Group Lab topics and get a live, virtual Group Lab led by one of our experienced educators. Labs are presented via Zoom and last an hour, including time for questions at the end!* Presenters will use museum specimens, artifacts, and/or handouts to enhance their presentations on a variety of topics!

Please note: – Live, Virtual Dissection Labs will be dissection demonstrations with the opportunity to engage with the instructor and ask questions. – Chaperone assistance is required for 1st-3rd graders. – Latecomers will not receive additional time.

We assume students have basic school supplies such as washable markers, scissors, tape, paper, etc. but will send a list of supplies to gather and any paper materials specific to the lab activities to the email connected with your virtual lab purchase. Please note: access to a printer may be necessary. *If you are unable to use Zoom, please let us know at the time of booking so we can find an alternate platform.

Pricing: Our live, virtual Group Labs are $250 per presentation. Live, virtual Group Labs last approximately one hour, including both presentation time as well as time for Q&A at the end. Once you book with us and select your program date, you’ll receive a Zoom link you can share with your audience. You can join the presentation together or everyone can join us from home.