School Group Field Trip Museum Classes & Planetarium Shows
Welcome | Programs | Planning Guide | Reservation Form
Museum Classes & Programs
New! Secret Life of Ocean Currents grades 4–8 (30 minutes)
Through experimentation and demonstrations, students will dive into the world of ocean currents, learning how they move and affect life in the ocean and on land. By learning about the delicate balance between ocean temperatures and salinity students will gain an appreciation for the mechanisms that keep the oceans and the skies moving.
New! Exploring the Web of Life grades 2–5 (30 minutes)
Delve into the fascinating relationship between habitats and ecosystems. Discover how different habitats, from oceans to deserts, shape and influence the overall functioning of ecosystems and gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of living organisms and their environment. Through a hands-on activity, students will create an intricate web of interactions within and between habitats to uncover their critical role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Code-a-Drone grades 5–12 (30 minutes)
Drones are becoming more and more a part of everyday life and in this hands-on program, students will learn how they function. Students will learn how drones are programmed to fly safely and then have the opportunity to code a drone of their own to fly over, under, and around obstacles.
Mars by Remote grades 2–4 (30 minutes)
Do you have what it takes to be a coder? Join us for this exciting program where your young learners are introduced to the basics of robotics, aeronautics, and programming. Students will plot a course on a map of the red planet and then code a simple rover to autonomously get from point A to point B.
Physics at Play grades 2–9 (30 minutes)
What do your favorite sports and toys have in common? They all follow the laws of physics! In this interactive lesson, students will learn how physics is at the foundation of sports and games and how they can better understand their favorite activities by understanding the science behind them.
Find-a-Flight grades 3–8 (30 minutes)
Ever see an airplane up in the sky and wonder where it is going? In this lesson, students will learn about flight tracking software and use it to plot the routes of airplanes flying into, out of, and over New York. They’ll learn about different places in our own country and around the world.
Mission mARs grades 5–8 (30 minutes)
Students will blast off on a mission to the red planet by using augmented reality software in this fast paced and fun program. They’ll land a rover on the Martian surface, drive around and even have a chance to interact with virtual 3D objects, all while learning about the machines we sent to our celestial neighbor.
How Does it Fly grades 1–8 (30 minutes)
What are lift, drag, thrust and gravity? They are just a few of the concepts explored in this hands-on program that covers the scientific principles of flight and how people used them to conquer the sky.
Living in Space All Grades (30 minutes)
There are many things one needs to know before venturing up into space…like how does one go to the bathroom? The most common and practical questions will be answered on what life is like in space. Students will discover where to sleep, what kind of food is available, what astronauts wear and what some hazards are.
3,2,1 Blastoff grades 4–12 (30 minutes)
Can you imagine taking off in a rocket with powerful boosters? Rockets are the cornerstone of space exploration and help us to better understand our universe! Learn more about how rockets propel people and machines beyond Earth’s atmosphere while experimenting with basic types of rockets.
Kites grades K–3 (30 minutes)
3000 years ago people in China invented the first kites and today most of us have attempted to fly one. Learn how kites were precursors to other flying machines and build your own.
Guided Tour - all grades (50 minutes)
From ballooning to the Moon…an evolution of aviation, all in under an hour. This museum educator-led program will take your group through the museum’s collections focusing on major events and aircraft in aviation history. Inquiry-based learning will help students interpret the history of aviation on Long Island according to the age level and needs of each group. ENL option is available upon request.
All classes comply with National and State common core standards.
Aerospace Quests
To enhance your visit to the Cradle of Aviation be sure to print out an aerospace quest and make copies for your students to bring to the museum. This educational tool was developed by the museum staff and docents in order to help groups focus and have fun learning.
Planetarium Shows
Join us for an immersive experience in our Dome Theater and ask about accessibility too! Limited live programs are available in Spanish and open captioning for films is also available. Ask for more details when booking your program!
NEW! Cities of the Future - Grades 3+ - Coming Winter 2024
Imagine stepping 50 years into the future and finding smart cities designed to be totally sustainable. Renewable energy is our primary power source, space-based solar power provides solar energy 24 hours a day, everything is recycled, and you have your own individualized pods that run on maglev trains using little or no energy. You can also ride an electric flying vehicle! Traffic jams are a thing of the past. This is not science fiction. Engineers are making plans for a sustainable world right now. And it’s coming to the giant screen!
NEW! Ocean Odyssey - All grade levels
500 million years ago, life left this blue womb and colonized the land, but we are still intricately linked to the ocean. Our climates, coastlines, ecosystems, and economies are tied to the perpetual movement of water between continents. The great ocean currents are the arteries and veins of Planet Earth! This is the story of one particularly fascinating flow – the East Australian Current, a massive oceanic river that stretches the length of Australia’s east coast. Visit the show page here for more info and to watch the trailer.
Touch the Stars - Grades 3+
Touch the Stars centers on mankind’s probes used in the exploration of our solar system and the galaxy beyond. The film traces the path to space through the history of NASA’s probes, orbiters, and landers, from the heart of our solar system to the surface of the other planets and moons, to the grand tour of the Voyager spacecraft through the outer planets and beyond. Visit the show page here for more info and to watch the trailer.
Mars 1001 - All grade levels
Space reporter Miles O’Brien guides you through the first human mission to Mars — a daring 1000-day mission to fly an international crew to the red planet and return them safely to Earth. Many challenges will have to be met in order for the crew to succeed and unlock the secrets of the new World! Visit the show page here for more info and to watch the trailer.
Moons of our Solar System! - Grades 1–4
There are over 200 moons in the Solar System. Some are larger than planets, some are covered in volcanoes, and some might have alien life! Students will learn what a moon is, what causes its phases, and how we are exploring these natural satellites.
Junior Jetsetters & One World, One Sky - Grades Pre-k–2nd
Spark your students’ curiosity with an introduction to astronomy. Students will look at constellations, hear stories, and take space steps all while learning astronomy vocabulary. Then, you can either explore the night sky with your favorite friends from Sesame Street in One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure, or follow a daring 1000-day mission to fly an international crew to the red planet and return them safely to Earth, in Mars 1001.
Solar System Tour - All grade levels
All grade levels - Our Solar System has everything you could want! Planets! Moons! Asteroids! and Comets! All swirling around our one and only star, the Sun. Students will learn about all the different objects that populate the Solar System and get a glimpse at the force that keeps worlds spinning.
Current Night Sky - All grade levels (also available virtually)
Long before television, GPS, and street lights, there were the stars of the night sky. Students will travel through the seasonal night sky to learn about constellations, hear mythical stories, and observe the magnificent Long Island sky.
Welcome | Programs | Planning Guide | Reservation Form
