Discovery Field Trips
2008-2009
School Field Trips for Preschool - 6th Grade
The Orpheum Children's Science Museum provides stimulating, hands-on field trip experiences for area schools and groups. Teachers and group leaders appreciate the fact that we are local and reasonably priced, and their support makes it possible for us to expand our lesson topics.
Field Trips with Programs
Field trips generally last between 1.5 to 2 hours and each is modified to be grade level appropriate. The cost is $2.50 per student for elementary aged classes (K-6) and $3 per child for preschool classes (ages 3-5). Each field trip has a minimum charge equivalent to 10 children, $25 for K-6 or $30 for preschool. All adult chaperones are admitted free of charge. We require a 1:5 ratio of chaperones to students.
Scheduling is essential for field trips as they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please schedule field trips at least three weeks in advance by calling the museum between 10 am and 3 pm, Tuesday through Friday, 217-352-5895. A $25 nonrefundable (but transferable) deposit is required to schedule a trip. Any additional amounts can be paid on the day of the trip by cash, check, or VISA/Mastercard/American Express.
A confirmation packet will be mailed upon receipt of your deposit. This packet includes information about your visit and suggestions to help you prepare. We invite you to stop by and tour the museum before bringing a class; just check in at the front desk with your name and school and you will be admitted free.
- Invisible Energy Illinois State Standards 11.A, 11.B, 12.C, 13.A, 13.B
- Experiments with “secret” circuit boards, light bulbs, batteries, and simple motors will help students explore the everyday tools of our electric world. The Van de Graff generator is available upon request. (Grades 3-5) Teachers
- Magnet Magic Illinois State Standards 11.A, 11.B, 12.D, 13.A, 13.B
- Students will probe the mysteries of magnetism and polarity by experimenting with a variety of games and activities. Experimentation will expose forces that attract and repel. (Grades 2-4) Teachers
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- Physics with Toys Illinois State Standards 11.A, 11.B, 12.D, 13.A, 13.B
- Discovery becomes play as students identify physics factors that create motion in a variety of toys such as clacker balls, slinkies, tops, and miniature catapults. (Grades K-3) Teachers
- Tense Water Drops Illinois State Standards 11.A, 11.B, 12.C, 13.A, 13.B
- Properties of water like polarity and surface tension, will be explored through experiments. Water busters and tricks for making water wetter combine to help students describe and explain the physical properties of a matter that matters. (Grades 2-5) Teachers
- Wee KIDS (Wee Kids Into Discovering Science)
- Wee KIDS Field
Trips include stories, puppets, hands-on opportunities, and small
crafts. When everyone’s done they will be welcome
to remain to explore the museum. These lessons are
designed for 3 to 4
year old learners.
Pre-K visits for Pre-K Schools. 30-minute lessons.
Fees: $3 per child ($30 minimum) includes simple crafts. - Bugs, Spiders and Worms
- Meet creepy crawly creatures. Stories, puppets, and some hands-on experiences will help young children learn about the world of ants, spiders, and worms or other small critters (seasonally dependent).
- Rock Sort
- Simple explorations of rock properties and diversity inroduce young learners to geology. Sorting skills, simple keying, and reading will end with making a small rock collection.
- FOR EVERYONE!
- Meet Our Critters (Preschool through 5th grade)
- Let us tell you about our turtles, lizards, snakes, and other small animals. What do they eat? Where do they live? How do they move? Children will learn about our small animals and they can make a small puppet to take back to school. This must be requested when reserving the field trip.
- Celebrate the Orpheum Children's Science Museum's 12th year of providing stimulating hands-on field trips to the community. Our interactive exhibits are available during any visit. They include a 10-foot water flume, giant walk-on lever, and critter corner with a corn snake, turtles, tarantula, hissing cockroaches and bearded dragons.
- Lunch Facilities and Gift Shop
- School groups may enjoy eating lunch on our balcony, which seats up to 32. Please schedule this at the time you schedule your field trip. We do ask that you clean up when your group is finished. This space is available for $10. OCSM is four blocks from West Side Park, which offers picnic tables and a playground. Our lobby gift shop offers inexpensive science toys.
- Away from the Museum
- Tense Water Drops, Magnet Magic, and Rock Detectives can be done by a representative of the Orpheum Children's Science Museum in a classroom for $3.00 per student with a $25 minimum within Champaign County (outside the county requires an additional $15 for travel.)
NEW!!