School Group Field Trip Museum Classes & Planetarium Shows
Welcome | Programs | Planning Guide | Reservation Form
Museum Classes & Programs
NEW! Robotics: Health Care Magic! - grades 3–5 (30 minutes)
Discover the groundbreaking role of robotics in the medical field and the critical importance of precision in modern surgery. This engaging class offers hands-on activities that will immerse you in the world of medical robotics, highlighting how advanced technology is revolutionizing patient care.
NEW! Engineering the Future - grades 4–8 (30 minutes)
This class introduces students to the innovative ideas that the engineers of the future are developing right now. Curious minds will light up with wonder as we put the engineering design process to use to develop our own sustainable innovations, exploring concepts such as hydropower, wind power, autonomous flying taxis, and more.
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.
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.
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! Superhuman Body - Grades 4+
Superhuman Body: World of Medical Marvels takes audiences inside the wonders of the human body and the incredible breakthroughs in science and bioengineering that are changing the course of human health. Narrated by Matthew McConaughey.
NEW! Life in Space - Grades 3+, Educator Led
For the last 25 years, humans have established the International Space Station as a habitat and laboratory to deepen our understanding of life in space. The experiments on the ISS will help us travel even further out into space! Learn how microgravity and the Sun affect living things on Earth, understand Earth’s place in the universe, the systems that make it habitable, and our search for those ecosystems elsewhere in the galaxy!
Cities of the Future - Grades 3+
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!
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.
Junior Jetsetters - Grades Pre-k–2nd, partially Educator Led
Spark your students’ curiosity during this 50-minute planetarium program! The first 20 minutes, students will look at constellations, hear stories, and take ‘space steps’ all while learning astronomy vocabulary with one of our museum educators. Then we’ll watch a 30-minute show! You can explore the night sky with your favorite friends from Sesame Street in One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure, or learn about the ocean’s currents with Ocean Odyssey. Ask reservations about different show options.
Solar System Tour - All grade levels, Educator Led
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, Educator Led (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
