Plan a Trip

Field trips for academic year 2009-2010 have been filled. However, school groups may purchase Group Tickets at a discounted general admission rate.

Group Tickets

See Academy exhibits and sample Academy lesson plans

Field trip experiences are considered self-guided as teachers and chaperones coordinate the learning experiences for the students. Discover ways to expand the educational impact of your field trip by attending a teacher workshop. And don't forget to browse through our Lesson Plan Database to find pre-visit activities, post-visit activities, and scavenger hunts.

If you have yet to visit the Academy, we recommend browsing through the main website to get a feel for our Exhibits, the research conducted by our Science Heroes, and the Daily Events occuring regularly on the public floor.

If you are interested in additional programs led by Academy staff during your visit, you can check availability to add one of the following options to your reservation:

Option 1: Student Lab Program
Option 2: Docent Preview
Option 3: Planetarium Student Show

Reservation Option 1: Student Lab Program

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Grades 2-12
9:30 am - 11:00 am
$120 flat fee

Science is an ever-changing field, developed through constant questioning and dedicated exploration. A class of students in grades 2-12 can conduct a scientific investigation with Academy instructors in our Education Lab, part of the Koret-Taube Education Center. Focusing on scientific processes and content, lab programs involve students in collecting and interpreting evidence, making careful observations of museum specimens, defending claims, and manipulating scientific equipment.

Please note: Advance reservations are required. A non-refundable fee of $120 applies per 90-minute session, which starts promptly at 9:30am. Each student lab program can be delivered for one class of up to 36 students. Select a program from among the following topics:

All About Microcopes (Grades 3-8) Students will distinguish between a compound and stereo microscope in terms of operation and purpose, and learn the basic parts of a microscope. As they investigate insect specimens fixed to a slide and pinned like our entomological collections, students will draw and record observations at successively higher magnifications.

California Geology (Grades 2-6) Students will carefully observe, describe, and sort an group of unknown rock samples; learn the differences between the three major classifications of rocks: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic;be introduced to 10 local rock types; and understand some of the basics of California geology.

Troubled Tree Frogs (Grades 4-8) Students will dry out sponges modeled after frogs to understand how surface area affects evaporation. The class will apply the scientific process by making a hypothesis, following experimental procedure, recording data, and analyzing graphs. Between laboratory procedures, students will discuss environmental factors that affect frog survival (high wind, humidity, fungus, etc) and learn to recognize the 6 species found in our Rainforest dome.

Solar Circuitry (Grades 6-12) Students will manipulate series and parallel configurations to discover the flow of electricity through a circuit, and conduct an inquiry-based investigation to learn how factors such as light intensity, distance, and angle of incident light affect the electrical output of a photovoltaic cell (solar cell). Finally, the class will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of renewable energy alternatives such as solar power.

Reservation Option 2: Docent Preview

Tuesday, Grades K-3
Wednesday, Grades 4-5
Thursday, Grades 6-12
Scheduled between 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
No charge

Reservation Option 3: Planetarium Student Show

A Tour of Our Solar System
Monday, Grades 6-8
Wednesday and Thursday, Grades 3-5
10:30 am - 11:10 am
No charge

Field trips for academic year 2009-2010 have been filled. However, school groups may purchase Group Tickets at a discounted general admission rate.

Group Tickets

Field trip reservations for Academic Year 2009-2010

Open Registration Begins: Tuesday, September 8, 2009, and is handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

School Visit Days: Mondays-Thursdays through June 17, 2010, excluding holidays and free days (e.g., the third Wednesday of each month).

Making a Reservation: Fill out the Reservation Guide with key information before placing your call. Then, call the Contact Center at (800) 794-7576 between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday-Friday, or between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Field trip registration is not available online or via email.

Fees: The Academy is delighted to offer a reduced admission rate to school groups. Pre-payment is required, so have your credit card ready! The Academy also accepts payment by check, money order, and purchase order.

San Francisco school groups:	Free
Other California school groups:	$4.95 per person
Non-California school groups:	20% off general admission for groups of 15+ Group Tickets

Refunds: Cancellations must be made 30 days in advance of your visit to receive a full refund, minus a $10.00 processing fee. No refunds will be issued due to inclement weather or other circumstances; however, a credit may be extended to a future trip within the same school year depending on availability.

Professional Development: We highly recommend that you reserve your spot in a teacher workshop when you call to book your field trip. Download the latest version of the 2009-2010 Teacher Workshop Schedule.

Chaperone Policy: Please note that a minimum of 1 adult chaperone for every 8 students, grades pre-K through 12, will be required for the 2009-2010 academic year. Print our new Chaperone Guide

Arriving at the Academy

Parking & Unloading: Cars may park on surface streets for a limited time or in the underground city garage, but we cannot validate parking. The bus loading/unloading zone is located at the front of the Academy. City parking for buses is available behind the Music Concourse Bandshell for a low fee.

Entry: Please have your Field Trip Admission Form ready. A Guest Services employee will meet and direct your group to the appropriate line. Due to the heavy crowds of visitors, expect entry to take up to 10 minutes.

Behavior expectations

Student Reminders: Stay with your chaperone and group at all times. Be respectful of the living animals by walking through the museum, talking quietly, and resisting the urge to tap on the glass. Don't open food or drinks in the exhibits.

Chaperone Reminders: Stay with the students at all times and act as a role model.

Inside the Academy

Reserved Programming: If you have pre-scheduled a Student Lab, Docent Preview, or Rock Program, an Academy Educator will meet your group in the Entrance Lobby near the Piazza.

Daily Exhibit Presentations & the Hearst Theater: Schedules can be obtained in the lobby on the day of your visit. If you decide to attend one of the presentations, we ask that you stay for the entire program, which typically lasts 15 minutes, because leaving early might disrupt the program. Daily Events

Planetarium: School groups may only attend a Planetarium show if they have a reservation. Please arrive approximately 15 minutes before your scheduled time in order to be seated.

Safety & Security: For lost children or first aid, please go to the Security Office located near the alligator Swamp or flag down the closest security guard in the exhibits.

Lunches: You may eat lunch outside in the Music Concourse, or in the Academy Gardens. No open food or drink is allowed on the exhibit floor, and storage for lunches is unavailable.

Re-entry: If anyone in the group wishes to leave the building and re-enter, they must get their hand stamped at the Guest Services Desk. Students may not leave or enter the Academy without a teacher or chaperone.

Cameras: Responsible parties may take pictures in the Academy where permitted. Please avoid using a flash and do not take pictures where signs forbid it.

Other Services: For lost and found items, go to the Coat Check in the front lobby. An ATM is also located nearby. Wheel-chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis for those in need. A family restroom is located on the main floor near the Swamp.

Did we forget anything essential? Let us know at .

Field trips for academic year 2009-2010 have been filled. However, school groups may purchase Group Tickets at a discounted general admission rate.

Group Tickets

Set your plans

• Select several preferred dates
• Choose a learning objective
• Prepare for your call by filling out the Reservation Guide
• Beginning September 8, 2009, call us at (800) 794-7576 to make a reservation
• Complete district paperwork
• Decide on a transportation method Getting here

2 weeks before

• Check email confirmation for accuracy
• Preview the exhibits for free! Bring a printed copy of your email confirmation to gain admittance Making the Perfect Museum Worksheet
• Distribute and collect permission slips
• Recruit chaperones

1 week before

• Confirm transportation
• Review layout of exhibit floor Download visitor map
• Print out a Chaperone Guide for each adult Download the Chaperone Guide
• Design student and chaperone name tags
• Set the stage for learning Find an activity

The day of

• Form student groups and delegate responsibilities
• Review behavior guidelines and the day's agenda
• Swap cell phone numbers with chaperones
• Print your email confirmation and fill out this form with an accurate headcount Download the Field Trip Admission Form

When you arrive

• Line up entire group at bus drop-off zone
• If you have reserved a Student Lab, Docent Introduction, or Rock Program, an Academy educator will meet you in the lobby. If not, split into chaperone-led groups and begin to explore!

Back in the classroom

• Provide closure for the experience Find an activity
• Keep in touch! Sign up for our e-newsletter