Take Learning Beyond the Classroom with Cranbrook Institute of Science!
IMMERSIVE FIELD TRIPS
to the museum
BOOK A SHOW
in the Acheson Planetarium or we can bring our Mobile Acheson Planetarium to your school or venue!
SCHEDULE
A VISIT
to our newest traveling exhibit: The Science of Archimedes!
INTERACTIVE CLASSROOM VISITS at your location ENGAGING VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING that can take place anywhere
Experiences are designed for Pre-K-9+ classrooms and include programs in astronomy, earth science, engineering, life science, physical science, and social studies. Our programs are Michigan Standardsaligned and can be customized to meet your curriculum.
Every program participant gets an opportunity to visit the museum for FREE! After your programming, keep an eye out for your post-visit survey email with details.
READY FOR A DAY OF
DISCOVERY?
Plan your experience with Cranbrook Institute of Science through the following steps, then register below.
STEP ONE
Read through the program descriptions in this guide to find the right experience for your class or venue.
STEP TWO
Consider the following for registration:
• Will this experience be virtual or inperson? Would you like a field trip at the Institute, or would you like for us to come to you?
• What time of year are you considering? Sooner than 45 calendar days from now? If so, email us at CISReservations@ cranbrook.edu, or call us at (248) 645-3210 and we’ll check availability for your considered date.
• What are your top three date choices? We will make every effort to accommodate your top choice. Field Trips are offered WednesdayFriday. Outreach programming is available Monday-Friday.
• Which programs would you like your group to experience? Not sure? We’re happy to make suggestions. Email us at CISReservations@cranbrook. edu, or call us at (248) 645-3210. Field trip programs are offered Wednesday-Friday, on the hour, beginning at 9:00am. Outreach program times can be aligned with your schedule. Programs are listed by grade level and are approx. 45 minutes in length.
• How many students, teachers, and chaperones will attend?
• Who in your group has special needs?
• If you’re visiting the museum, will your group arrive by car, bus, or both?
• We occasionally take photos of groups for future PR opportunities. Please advise at registration if you do not provide permission to do so.
STEP THREE
REGISTER AND GET READY! Review pre-visit materials, secure transportation, recruit chaperones, and collect permission slips.
PROGRAMS FOR PRE-K
To learn how all
Programming is available through field trips to the museum, Science on the GO! (at your location), and Science on the SCREEN! (virtual) Use the key to determine how your classroom will experience each program.
Dino Tale | Earth and Space Science
Work like a paleontologist and travel back in time to visit the land of dinosaurs and uncover the fossilization process. Using real specimens and model casts, piece together the story of those that ruled the land millions of years ago. For Science on the GO! this is a single-class program.
Light & Sound | Physical Science
Focus on the physics of waves to explore and describe the properties of light and sound, and discover how these forms of energy are generated, measured, and controlled. This auditorium presentation utilizes volunteer participants. For Science on the GO! this program can accommodate multiple classrooms at one time.
Webs, Wings, and Crawling Things! | Life Science
Explore the fascinating adaptations of insects, arachnids, and more! This hands-on program investigates anatomy, adaptations, and behavior using models, mounted specimens, and assorted live insects from the Institute’s collection. For Science on the GO! this is a single-class program.
What Makes Objects Move? | Physical Science
Utilize this inquiry-based experience to explore the concept of motion and study cause and effect relationships. Practice scientific processes by asking questions, observing, designing solutions, exploring materials, and communicating your ideas, all while discovering what causes objects to move. . For Science on the GO! this is a singleclass program.
Many of our field trip programs are customizable for delivery at your location or virtually. Send a message to CISReservations@cranbrook.edu to inquire about curating an experience for your group!
SCIENCE ON THE GO! at your location
SCIENCE ON THE SCREEN virtual program
FIELD TRIP at the museum
these programs allign with Michigan Standards, click these icons throughout the guide.
PROGRAMS FOR GRADES K-2
Programming is available through field trips to the museum, Science on the GO! (at your location), and Science on the SCREEN! (virtual) Use the key to determine how your classroom will experience each program.
Dino Tale | Earth and Space Science
Forces & Motion | Physical Science
Work like a paleontologist and travel back in time to visit the land of dinosaurs and uncover the fossilization process. Using real specimens and model casts, piece together the story of those that ruled the land millions of years ago. For Science on the GO! this is a single-class program.
Explore how scientists define “force” and “work.” Investigate how to make work easier by applying pushes and pulls to play tug-of-war and lift an adult off the ground using simple machines. This auditorium presentation utilizes volunteer audience participants.
Frontier Michigan | Social Studies
Embark on an interactive exploration of a multicultural community made up of Native Peoples, French habitants, and American settlers that lived in and around Southeastern Michigan in 1796. Pursuing the compelling question, “How did residents of the past live in the area currently known as Detroit?” students will have the opportunity to investigate various tools used by four 18th century residents.
Light & Sound | Physical Science
Focus on the physics of waves to explore and describe the properties of light and sound, and discover how these forms of energy are generated, measured, and controlled. This auditorium presentation utilizes volunteer audience participants. For Science on the GO! this is a multi-class program.
Science Sampler | General Science
Let Cranbrook Institute of Science bring science to your school for a Family Science Night! During this 2-hour event, your school community will engage with 14 different hands-on science activities that your school selects from a list of options. You provide the volunteers, and we provide the fun!
SCIENCE ON THE GO! at your location
SCIENCE ON THE SCREEN virtual program
FIELD TRIP at the museum
PROGRAMS FOR K-2 CONTINUED
Matter & Energy Physical Science
Investigate matter and the qualities scientists use to classify it as a solid, liquid, gas, or plasma. Explore mechanical energy, sound energy, light energy, heat energy, electrical energy, and chemical energy, and the effect each has on matter. Observe how energy is neither created or destroyed but can change from one form to another. This auditorium presentation utilizes volunteer audience participants. For Science on the GO! this is a multiclass program.
Webs, Wings, and Crawling Things! Life Science
Enter the world of insects, arachnids, and more! This hands-on program investigates anatomy, adaptations, and behavior, using models, mounted specimens, and assorted live insects from the Institute’s collection. For Science on the GO! this is a single-class program.
What Makes Objects Move? Physical Science
Utilize this inquiry-based experience to explore the concept of motion and study cause and effect relationships. Practice scientific processes by asking questions, observing, designing solutions, exploring materials, communicating ideas, all while discovering what causes objects to move. For Science on the GO! this is a single-class program.
Many of our field trip programs are customizable for delivery at your location or virtually. Send a message to CISReservations@cranbrook.edu to inquire about curating an experience for your group!
PROGRAMS FOR GRADES 3-5
Programming is available through field trips to the museum, Science on the GO! (at your location), and Science on the SCREEN! (virtual) Use the key to determine how your classroom will experience each program.
Approaches to Problem Solving | Science and Engineering
Experience the engineering skill of empathizing with others, the power of brainstorming ideas, and the necessity of creating a design prototype to meet the needs of a predetermined user. Participating in this Design Thinking process includes sharing and receiving group feedback to enhance prototypes. For Science on the GO! this is a single-class program.
NEW! Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) Archimedes | Science and Engineering
Utilize the claim, evidence, and reasoning method to investigate an inquiry about matter. Students work in groups to collect and analyze authentic data: measure & graph quantities, apply critical thinking, and connect evidence with scientific principles that support a claim.
Dinos Drawn Wrong | Life Science
Ponder the fact that every dinosaur image ever constructed was based solely on the evidence or knowledge available at the time. As scientists unearth new evidence, and data is updated, so is our understanding of what dinosaurs may have looked like – possibly rendering previous images inaccurate! This hands-on program demonstrates how paleo artists use current science to make the most accurate designs possible.
Electricity & Magnetism | Physical Science
In this energetic program, examine the properties of magnets and how they interact with common materials and each other. Investigate the discovery of electricity and its connection with atoms. Create a human magnet, a human circuit, perform a hair-raising experiment, and experience our million-volt lightning generator to observe how electricity and magnetism interact with matter. This auditorium presentation utilizes volunteer audience participants.
SCIENCE ON THE GO! at your location
SCIENCE ON THE SCREEN virtual program
FIELD TRIP at the museum
PROGRAMS
FOR GRADES 3-5 CONTINUED
Forces & Motion | Physical Science
Explore how scientists define “force” and “work.” Investigate how to make work easier by applying pushes and pulls to play tug-of-war and lift an adult off the ground using simple machines. This auditorium presentation utilizes volunteer audience participants.
Fur Trade Alive! | Social Studies
Meet a French voyageur on the middle ground between Native Peoples and European traders of 18th century Michigan. Hands-on materials enliven the adventure, which takes place in a period Native American replica wigwam (weather permitting).
How Did T. rex Become the Ruler of the Dinosaurs? | Life Science
Examine fossil casts of T. rex from different stages of development and draw conclusions on how this massive dinosaur’s structures supported its growth, behavior, and overall survival as the apex predator of its time. Recent studies focusing on the T. rex brain, including how it likely processed information and its perceived level of intelligence, will be analyzed. For Science on the GO! this is a single-class program.
Light & Sound | Physical Science
Focus on the physics of waves to explore and describe the properties of light and sound, and discover how these forms of energy are generated, measured, and controlled. This auditorium presentation utilizes volunteer audience participants. For Science on the GO! this is a multi-class program.
Matter & Energy | Physical Science
Investigate matter and the qualities scientists use to classify it as a solid, liquid, gas, or plasma. Explore mechanical energy, sound energy, light energy, heat energy, electrical energy, and chemical energy, and the effect each has on matter. Observe how energy is neither created or destroyed but can change from one form to another. This auditorium presentation utilizes volunteer audience participants. For Science on the GO! this is a multi-class program.
Michigan Ecosystems | Life Science
Explore the interrelationships between living and nonliving things to see how energy flows through food webs to sustain life. Students work in groups to create a manipulative model of a food web and then participate in collaborative, design feedback.
Money! | Social Studies
Explore the compelling question of how we meet our wants and needs in a world of limited resources. Trace the development of human economies across the centuries, with close-up views of ancient and modern currencies from around the world. Interactive activities bring to life marketplaces past and present and the choices consumers make each day.
Our Dynamic Earth | Earth and Space Science
Investigate actual fossils, rocks, and minerals from the Institute’s collection! Consider what clues the samples of glacial till, limestone, halite, copper, and marine fossils provide about Michigan’s geologic history. Gather evidence to support explanations about changes in Michigan’s landscape over time. For Science on the GO! this is a single-class program.
People Of The Three Fires | Social Studies
Trace the story of Michigan’s Native Peoples from the end of the last Ice Age to the present day. Investigate the lifeways of Anishinaabeg (Ojibway, Ottawa, and Potawatomi) across the centuries, touching on language, technologies, and artforms.
Pegboard Challenge | Science and Engineering | recommended for grades 5+
Learn about one of NASA’s greatest engineering “square peg in a round hole” problem solving moments that took place during the Apollo 13 mission. Then test your own problem-solving skills to work out the Pegboard Challenge. Like an engineer, think outside the box, and collaborate with your group to move a small ball across obstacles with a limited amount of time and resources.
PROGRAMS FOR GRADES 3-5 CONTINUED
Physics of Fling | Physical Science
Explore Newton’s three laws and how forces cause motion. Learn the history of the trebuchet and observe the power of physics using the Institute’s three-ton trebuchet, capable of launching a watermelon-sized object the length of a football field or more! This program takes place outside, and is offered, weather permitting, Oct. 4 – Nov. 3, 2023, AND April 3 – June 7, 2024. This program can also take place at your location, however, a large outdoor space (size of football field) is required for the trebuchet launch.
Weather, Climate, and our Planet | Earth and Space Science
Immerse in this thought-provoking and entertaining program to gain a better understanding of weather and climate and how one drives the other. Live demonstrations support an empathetic comprehension of climate systems, and the natural and human roles that trigger positive and negative outcomes for our planet. This is an auditorium presentation.
Diets of Giants | Life Science
Challenge common knowledge of carnivores by comparing three of the largest predatory dinosaurs of prehistoric time. Although they seemed to have similar traits, these dinosaurs had little in common. Investigate adaptations that allowed them to exploit unique niches in their ecosystems and analyze how they achieved apex status.
Science Sampler | General Science
Let Cranbrook Institute of Science bring science to your school for a Family Science Night! During this 2-hour event, your school community will engage with 14 different hands-on science activities that your school selects from a list of options. You provide the volunteers, and we provide the fun!
Many of our field trip programs are customizable for delivery at your location or virtually.
Send a message to CISReservations@cranbrook.edu to inquire about curating an experience for your group!
PROGRAMS FOR GRADES 6-8
Programming is available through field trips to the museum, Science on the GO! (at your location), and Science on the SCREEN! (virtual) Use the key to determine how your classroom will experience each program.
NEW! Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning & Archimedes’ Principle | Science and Engineering
Utilize the claim, evidence, and reasoning method while investigating an inquiry to evaluate a hypothesis. Students work in groups to collect and analyze authentic data with vetted resources then apply critical thinking to connect evidence with scientific principles that support a claim.
Every Rock Has a Story | Earth and Space Science
Explore and evaluate geologist Alfred Wegener’s evidence for continental drift and the existence of the supercontinent Pangaea with numerous rocks, fossils, and casts from Antarctica, Africa, and Australia. See how new technology and exploration of the deep oceans provided further evidence for the theory of plate tectonics, including how this explains the present-day distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, rift valleys, rocks, and minerals. Also included are plate tectonic events that occurred in Michigan over 1 billion years ago! For Science on the GO! this is a single-class program.
Earth’s History | Earth and Space Science
Gather evidence from the fossil record using Institute fossil specimens to construct an explanation of how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s history. Examine real fossils, place them in order of emergence from oldest to youngest following the law of superposition, and identify time periods of a species’ existence, extinction, or adaptation over time.
Electricity & Magnetism | Physical Science
In this energetic program, examine the properties of magnets and how they interact with common materials and each other. Investigate the discovery of electricity and its connection with atoms. Create a human magnet, a human circuit, perform a hair-raising experiment, and experience our million-volt lightning generator to observe how electricity and magnetism interact with matter. This presentation utilizes volunteer audience participants.
SCIENCE ON THE GO! at your location
SCIENCE ON THE SCREEN virtual program
FIELD TRIP at the museum
PROGRAMS FOR GRADES 6-8 CONTINUED
How Did T. rex Become the Ruler of the Dinosaurs? | Life Science
Examine fossil casts of T. rex from different stages of growth and development and draw conclusions on how this massive dinosaur’s structures supported its growth, behavior, and overall survival as the apex predator of its time. Recent studies focusing on the T. rex brain, including how it likely processed information and its perceived level of intelligence, will be analyzed. For Science on the GO! this is a single-class program.
Matter & Energy | Physical Science
Investigate matter and the qualities scientists use to classify it as a solid, liquid, gas, or plasma. Explore mechanical energy, sound energy, light energy, heat energy, electrical energy, and chemical energy, and the effect each has on matter. Observe how energy is neither created or destroyed but can change from one form to another. This auditorium presentation utilizes volunteer audience participants. For Science on the GO! this is a multi-class program.
More Money! | Social Studies
Go global in this exploration of Macroeconomics! How do world-shaking events, natural and man-made, affect the World’s economic system? How does that impact our daily lives? Students explore the roots of modern freemarket and command economies and play a fast-paced, interactive card game, taking the role of world traders in commodities such as oil and electronics.
Sweetness & Power | Social Studies
The compelling saga of the Atlantic World during the era of colonialism begins with the question, “Sugar with your tea?” Artifacts from the Institute’s Anthropology collections accent the story of how everyday commodities such as sugar, tea, tobacco, and coffee built empires - often at great human cost.
Pegboard Challenge | Science and Engineering
Learn about one of NASA’s greatest engineering “square peg in a round hole” problem solving moments that took place during the Apollo 13 mission. Then test your own problem-solving skills to work out the Pegboard Challenge. Like an engineer, think outside the box, and collaborate with your group to move a small ball across obstacles with a limited amount of time and resources.
Physics of Fling | Physical Science
Explore Newton’s three laws and how forces cause motion. Learn the history of the trebuchet and observe the power of physics using the Institute’s three-ton trebuchet, capable of launching a watermelon-sized object the length of a football field or more! This program takes place outside, and is offered, weather permitting, Sept 12 – November 8, 2024 AND April 16 – June 13, 2025. This program can also take place at your location; however, a large outdoor space (size of football field) is required for the trebuchet launch.
Weather, Climate, and Our Planet | Earth and Space Science
Immerse in this thought-provoking and entertaining experience to gain a better understanding of weather and climate and how one drives the other. Live demonstrations support an empathetic comprehension of climate systems, and the natural and human roles that trigger outcomes for our planet. This is an auditorium presentation.
Science Sampler | General Science
Let Cranbrook Institute of Science bring science to your school for a Family Science Night! During this 2-hour event, your school community will engage with 14 different hands-on science activities that your school selects from a list of options. You provide the volunteers, and we provide the fun!
Many of our field trip programs are customizable for delivery at your location or virtually. Send a message to CISReservations@cranbrook.edu to inquire about curating an experience for your group!
PROGRAMS FOR GRADES 9+
Programming is available through field trips to the museum, Science on the GO! (at your location), and Science on the SCREEN! (virtual) Use the key to determine how your classroom will experience each program.
Every Rock Has a Story | Earth and Space Science
Earth’s History | Earth and Space Science
FIELD TRIP at the museum
SCIENCE ON THE GO! at your location
SCIENCE ON THE SCREEN virtual program
Explore and evaluate geologist’s Alfred Wegener’s evidence for continental drift and the existence of the supercontinent Pangaea with numerous rocks, fossils, and casts from Antarctica, Africa, and Australia. See how new technology and exploration of the deep oceans provided further evidence for the theory of plate tectonics, including how the theory explains the present-day distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, rift valleys, rocks, and minerals—including plate tectonic events that occurred in Michigan over 1 billion years ago!
Gather evidence from the fossil record using Institute fossil specimens to construct an explanation for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s history. Examine real fossils, place them in order of emergence from oldest to youngest following the law of superposition, and identify time periods of a species existence, extinction, or changes over time.
How Did T. rex Become the Ruler of the Dinosaurs? | Life Science
Examine fossil casts of T. rex from different stages of growth and development and draw conclusions on how this massive dinosaur’s structures supported its growth, behavior, and overall survival as the apex predator of its time. Recent studies focusing on the T. rex brain, including how it likely processed information and its perceived level of intelligence, will be analyzed.
My Money! | Social Studies
Help students prepare to enter the working world in this activity-based program that starts with a whirlwind tour of the history of money with artifacts from the Institute’s collections. Then it poses the question, “How can I retire as a millionaire?” Using the Financial Literacy & Education Commission’s My Money Five principles approach, participants engage in activities to understand the importance of creating a household budget and building a retirement plan.
PROGRAMS FOR GRADES 9+ CONTINUED
Physics of Fling | Physical Science
Explore Newton’s three laws and how forces cause motion. Learn the history of the trebuchet and observe the power of physics using the Institute’s three-ton trebuchet, capable of launching a watermelon-sized object the length of a football field or more! This program takes place outside, and is offered, weather permitting, Sept 12 – November 8, 2024 AND April 16 – June 13, 2025. This program can also take place at your location; however, a large outdoor space (size of football field) is required for the trebuchet launch.
Process of Photosynthesis | Life Science
Use LEGO® Bricks to build and talk through the process of photosynthesis to demonstrate conservation of mass. In this program students will:
• Visualize how atoms combine to form molecules and how each molecule has a specific shape.
• Use chemical formulas to represent the number and kinds of atoms in a molecule.
• Physically build the photosynthesis/respiration equation with LEGO® Bricks to model both the reactants and products.
• Discover that most of a plant’s mass comes from air and water rather than soil.
Many of our field trip programs are customizable for delivery at your location or virtually. Send a message to CISReservations@cranbrook.edu to inquire about curating an experience for your group!
ACHESON PLANETARIUM Educational
Shows
Cosmic Colors - An Adventure Along the Spectrum | Earth and Space Science
Journey with us across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Discover the many reasons for color – why is the sky blue, why is Mars red? Take a tour within a plant leaf and journey inside the human eye. Investigate x-rays by voyaging to a monstrous black hole and then back at your doctor’s office. You will even see the actual color of a dinosaur based on recent evidence.
Recommended for grades 6 - 9+
Dinosaurs at Dusk | Earth and Space Science
Take to the skies and discover the origins of flight with a father and his teenage daughter who share a fascination for all things that fly. Navigate with them across continents, meet the ancestors of modern-day birds (the feathered dinosaurs), and experience the cataclysmic “last day” of the dinosaurs.
Recommended for grades 3 - 9+
Earth’s Changing Climate | Earth and Space Science
Students will examine how clouds and gasses in our atmosphere affect climate, and how wind and ocean currents modify climate on a global scale. We’ll discover how ice cores tell us what the climate was like hundreds of thousands of years ago, see how global temperatures have changed in the last 125 years, and what the future may hold if current trends continue. Together, we’ll explore what may be causing climate change and how it could affect the future of our planet. This is a live-narrated program.
Recommended for grades 3 - 9+
Evolution of the Stars | Earth and Space Science
Learn about the evolution of the stars, and the Sun in particular, in this energetic, informative program. From the turbulent cauldron of their birth, through the multitude of cataclysmic ways they can meet their end, discover the many untold secrets of the stars. This is a partially live-narrated program.
Recommended for grades 6 - 9+
From Dream to Discovery: Inside NASA Engineering | Engineering
Experience the challenges of the next generation of space exploration in this immersive program. By using exciting, real-life projects like NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and the New Horizons mission to Pluto, the show highlights the extreme nature of spacecraft engineering and the life cycle of a space mission—from design and construction to the rigors of testing, launch, and operations. Blast off and take the voyage with us! This program also contains an interactive segment that allows participants to assist in the design of a virtual space mission. From Dream to Discovery is made possible by the generous support of the Baiardi Family Foundation.
Recommended for grades 6 - 9+
Michigan Sky Tonight | Earth and Space Science
What will I see when I go outside tonight? What’s happening at Saturn? What are the latest hot topics in astronomy? Michigan Sky Tonight is a live-narrated program about what’s happening in the current night sky and in the universe of astronomy, from constellations to comets, planets to nebulae. This program is updated weekly to reflect the latest astronomical discoveries or topics of interest.
Recommended for grades 3 - 9+
Natural Selection | Life Science
Join the young Charles Darwin on his adventurous voyage of exploration. Witness the thrill of scientific discovery by seeing the world through Darwin’s eyes, make observations of the most beautiful natural scenery, and let the pieces of the scientific puzzle fall into place. Darwin himself reveals the simple and most beautiful mechanism that explains the evolution of all life on Earth: Natural selection.
Recommended for grades 6 - 9+
Night Sky Objects and Beyond | Earth and Space Science
Find the Big Dipper, North Star, planets, constellations, and more in the current sky. Observe the
apparent motion of the sky and venture into interstellar space to explore our starry home—the Milky Way Galaxy—in stunning three dimensions! This partially live-narrated program is updated weekly to reflect the latest astronomical discoveries or topics of interest.
Recommended for grades 3 - 9+
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure | Earth and Space Science
Solar System Exploration | Earth and Space Science
Through this in-depth experience, explore the planets in our solar system, from their formation billions of years ago, to the current robotic missions sent to unlock their secrets. Learn about the latest discoveries of comets, moons, and icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt and beyond. See what the planets look like in the night sky and how they move along their orbits over time. This is a live-narrated presentation.
Join Big Bird, Elmo, and Hu Hu Zhu on an exciting discovery of the Sun, Moon, and stars. Find the Big Dipper and the North Star and take an imaginary trip that explores the differences between the Moon and Earth. Then join them back on Earth to celebrate the idea that even though they live in different countries, they still share the same sky.
Recommended for grades Pre-K - 2
Reason for the Seasons | Earth and Space Science
Recommended for grades 4 - 9+
Stories in the Stars | Earth and Space Science
Travel to the Isle of Crete where the legends of Zeus, Hercules, Orion, Perseus, Medusa, and many others come to life. The Ancient Greeks and Romans may not have understood the nature of the stars, but they certainly had vivid imaginations as they created their mythological legends and stories while looking at them. This is a live-narrated presentation.
Could the seasons and the ever-changing night sky be linked? Find out in this dynamic, live presentation demonstrating why the start of the seasons depends on your location on Earth, as well as Earth’s position around the Sun. Observe the Sun’s altitude and daily motion from various latitudes and discover why your favorite constellations aren’t visible every night. This is a live-narrated presentation.
Recommended for grades 4 - 9+
Season Changes & Moon Phases | Earth and Space Science
Discover the reason for the seasons and learn why the start of the seasons depends on your location on Earth, as well as Earth’s position around the Sun. Observe the sun’s altitude, daily motion from various latitudes, visit Mars, discover the phases of the moon, and uncover the mysteries of both solar and lunar eclipses. This is a live-narrated presentation.
Recommended for grades 4 - 9+
Secret of the Cardboard Rocket | Earth and Space Science
Join two young adventurers as they turn an old cardboard box into a rocket and blast off on an outof-this-world experience to the most amazing places in the solar system! On the journey, they’ll visit the planets in our solar system and learn what makes each one unique. This program is available in either a 30- or 40–minute format.
Recommended for grades K - 4
Recommended for grades 5 - 9+
The Great Lakes and Beyond | Earth and Space Science
Water is plentiful here in Michigan, including the beauty and majesty of the Great Lakes as well as countless other smaller bodies of water. Our water resources are not infinite, and they must be wisely cared for, thoughtfully preserved, and meticulously improved to ensure they can sustain use and enjoyment for current and future generations. We’ll answer the questions, “Does water exist elsewhere? If not now, did it in the past? Will it in the future? What do the other planets in our solar system tell us about water here on Earth?”
Recommended for grades 3 - 9+
Young Stargazers Sky Journey | Earth and Space Science
Together, let’s make the sky turn dark and sprinkle it with stars. During this program, your students will embark on a mesmerizing and educational journey through space watching the Moon change phases, tell stories by playing with connect-the-dot stars, and travel to the eight planets in our solar system – and even Pluto! This is a live-narrated program.
Recommended for grades Pre-K - 2
ACHESON PLANETARIUM Entertainment Shows
Let It Snow
An energetic, fun, and entertaining adventure for all ages, Let It Snow features festive classics from Frank Sinatra, Chuck Berry, Burl Ives, and Brenda Lee. Students will be mesmerized by a stunning, multi-media finale by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Offered Nov. 1 – Dec. 21, 2023.
Recommended for grades Pre-K - 9+
Mystery of the Christmas Star
Journey to Bethlehem as we examine the possible scientific explanation for the Star the Magi followed to find baby Jesus. Using recorded sightings of significant astronomical occurrences during related historical events, we’ll investigate possible dates for the birth of Jesus, which have been investigated by historians for centuries. Offered Nov. 1 – Dec. 21, 2023.
Recommended for grades 3 - 9+
SPACEPARK360
Dip toward molten pools on Io, one of Jupiter’s moons, dodge flying particles in the rings of Uranus, do a loop-the-loop through the canyons of Mars, and more on nine different “rides.” Set to popular music by White Zombies, U2, Stealers Wheel, Lenny Kravitz, and others, SpacePark360 is an immersive, all-ages experience.
Recommended for grades K - 9+
SPACEPARK360: Lucid Dreaming Editiom
Experience the same great visuals as SpacePark360, but this time set to the infectious music of A Burning Century, an Atlanta-based alternative-rock-electronica band that combines soaring melodies with hard-hitting rhythms.
Recommended for grades K - 9+
CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE INSTITUTE?
WE CAN BRING THE PLANETARIUM TO YOU!
Take an unforgettable journey in our portable digital planetarium and discover the night sky, distant stars, planets, constellations, and more.
All planetarium programs offered at the Institute are also available year-round at our Acheson Mobile Planetarium, except for Spacepark360 and SpacePark360: Lucid Dreaming Edition.
Shows available are designed for grades Pre-k - 9+
Learn more about the Acheson Planetarium and the Acheson Mobile Planetarium.
Plan a trip to our newest exhibit.
As Archimedes’ legacy has inspired many influential figures throughout history, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo, this exhibit is sure to awaken your inner scientist, inventor, or mathematician and leave you with a sense of the ‘eureka effect!’
LEARN MORE!
The Science of Archimedes
October 20, 2024 — June 1, 2025
Take your students on an immersive adventure of the life, history, and science of one of the greatest mathematicians and scientists of all time, Archimedes of Syracuse (287212 B.C.), at the Institute’s newest traveling exhibit!
Your classroom will uncover how Archimedes’ discoveries in mathematics, physics, and engineering during the classical antiquity period have shaped our modern world while gaining a deeper understanding of the science behind natural phenomena.
Bring Archimedes’ science to life with many STEAM educational experiments and the opportunity to experience some of his most significant findings and contributions:
Archimedes Ballista
The heaviest version of this ancient catapult used to defend the City of Syracuse during the Roman Siege.
The Claw of Archimedes
Also known as the Iron Hand, this ancient weapon overturned and rendered warships ineffective.
Archimedes’ Heat Ray
A rumored system of mirrors harnessing the power of the sun to burst warships into flames!
Archimedes Screw
An ancient hydraulic irrigation tool that is still influential in modern applications.
Center of Mass
Archimedes’ the center of mass theory laid the groundwork for Newton’s second law of motion.
Buoyancy
Archimedes’ work on buoyancy became a law of physics fundamental to fluid mechanics.
The Science of Archimedes was created by the Artisans of Florence – International and NICCOLAI TEKNOART S.N.C. (Firenze).
The Science of Archimedes is presented by the Leinweber Foundation.
EVEN MORE TO EXPLORE!
Your students will be surrounded by educational experiences when they visit the museum. From rare and dazzling minerals to REAL meteorites and even a full-size T. rex, there’s an incredible array of wonders to discover and explore. We invite you to schedule a visit to one, or more, of our galleries during your next field trip.
ACHESON LIGHT LAB
Constructed of textured concrete block and seven different kinds of glass, the Light Lab rises nearly 40 feet and will shower students with patterned light and color as the Sun’s rays pass through the glass.
ASTRONOMY GALLERY
Highlights meteorites collected from around the world, tools of astronomy, and a mechanical model of our solar system.
EVERY ROCK HAS A STORY
Learn about materials that make up the Earth and processes that have shaped the globe over time. The Earth is constantly changing and the astonishing results include earthquakes, diamonds, and more.
FLINT ANTHROPOLOGY GALLERY
This exhibit features video clips and a soundtrack narrative telling the story of the Native People of the Great Lakes region and illustrates the impact new influences had on their way of life.
ICE AGES COME AND GO
Explore seasons, heat distribution, and how heat travels across the globe. Learn how Michigan’s landscape was carved by the movement of glaciers and how the Sun causes climate change on Earth.
ICE AGE SURVIVORS
Showcases large animals that survived the last pulse of the Late Quaternary extinctions in North America that occurred between 11,500 and 10,000 years ago.
LIFE CHANGES OVER TIME
Come face-to-face with a full-sized cast of Tyrannosaurus rex and examine natural selection. Discover what dinosaur features are shared with common birds and so much more.
LIFE ON EARTH
Explore unique specimens and visual elements to present the complexities of Earth’s biodiversity. Earth’s ecosphere is stratified into zones, and some of them appear to be extremely inhospitable to life, yet organisms still thrive there.
M1 HYPER-LOOP CAR
Unlike more modern versions of tube-trains, where air is removed from the tube to reduce drag and friction, our model uses air pressure to propel the vehicle. Using air pressure to move objects, cargo, and people had been proposed by engineers as early as the late 18th century.
MASTODONS DID NOT SURVIVE
Examine extinction through the example of the mastodon, and learn about animals that went extinct by the close of the last Ice Age.
MEGALODON
This exhibit provides a wonderful photo opportunity to get your picture taken
ocean-going apex predators in history, Megalodon! As you get your photo taken, discover some interesting facts about this giant fish and examine a real fossil tooth.
MINERAL STUDY GALLERY
Examine and discover more than 1,800 sparkling treasures in our Mineral Gallery, including 300 minerals from Michigan, such as gypsum, copper, and halite.
MOTION GALLERY
Encourages imagination and finesse as students play with physics, illustrating how matter, including you, travels, balances, and spins.
THE STORY OF US
PRICING & PAYMENT
SCHOOL-DAY FIELD TRIPS Programs at the museum
Prices include admission, permanent and changing exhibits, parking, and program-related scavenger hunts for use during your visit. Programs are approximately 45 minutes and start on the hour.
Field trips require a minimum of 20 paying participants to qualify for school group rates. Cranbrook Institute of Science membership, museum passes, and reciprocal membership discounts do not apply to field trip costs.
Lunch is not provided. You are welcome to bring lunch or pre-purchase by calling the Reflections Café at 248.645.3201 no less than 3 weeks prior to your visit. Lunch space is reserved first-come, first-served, after we receive your deposit.
SCHOOL DAY FIELD TRIP RATES PER STUDENT
1 PROGRAM
2 PROGRAMS
3 PROGRAMS
4 PROGRAMS
$13
$16
$18
$20
ADDITIONAL FEES PER PERSON
Pre-K and K groups are allowed one free chaperone for every three students; 1st - 9+ groups are allowed one free chaperone for every five students. Adults beyond the above noted free chaperones are welcome at $13/person.
SCIENCE ON THE GO! Programs at your location
Programs last approximately 45 minutes.
SINGLE CLASS PROGRAMS
Max 30 students per program
Each additional same day program
MULTI-CLASS PROGRAMS
Max 150 students per program
$375
$200
$475
Each additional same day repeat program ........ $300
TRAVEL FEES LISTED ON PAGE 23
Email us for custom programming!
SCIENCE SAMPLER
Offered school days or evenings at your location
PRICE INCLUDES: 14 school-selected activities (three will include make-and-takes) for up to two hours
High School students make great volunteers and require an adult chaperone, secured by the school, who provides onsite supervision throughout the entire program
**Volunteers are required to stay with their table/ activity throughout the entire program
MAX 300 participants per program
$750
Additional consecutive time ................................ $275/Hr
TRAVEL FEES LISTED ON PAGE 23
Email us to customize your Science Sampler!
SCIENCE ON THE SCREEN!
Virtual programs at your location
Per Program
$200
Venue is responsible for providing connection link to the Institute of Science and participants (Zoom or Teams compatible).
For information about custom student kits and costs please email us!
Interested in booking a visit to occur within 45 calendar days? FULL PAYMENT is due at booking and the below cancellation policies apply.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES:
PHYSICS OF FLING!
Programs at your location
REQUIREMENT: Minimum 250’ launch range
Max 30 students per program
TRAVEL FEES LISTED BELOW
$600
A $100 NON-REFUNDABLE registration fee is required at booking to place a temporary hold on your requested date. This will be credited toward your field trip or forfeited if (at any time) the trip is canceled by the school.
ACHESON MOBILE PLANETARIUM
Programs at your location
REQUIREMENTS: Minimum 14’ ceiling and 30’ diameter floor space on a first level of the venue
First Show ....................................................................................
$475
Additional Shows scheduled same day.............. $300 (Max 50 people per program)
TRAVEL FEES LISTED BELOW
TRAVEL
FEES BY COUNTY
Macomb, Oakland, Wayne:
$65
Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Washtenaw: $90
Ingham, Monroe, St. Clair, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola: $120 Bay, Clinton, Eaton, Jackson, Lenawee: $145
NO LESS than 45 calendar days before your visit, the remaining balance is due. Non-payment will result in cancellation of your visit and loss of registration fee and any deposits.
FINAL BALANCE due is based on attendance reported 45 calendar days before the date of your visit or the number of attendees on the day of the visit, whichever is greater.
LESS THAN 45 DAYS from the date of your visit, balances will only be updated due to increased attendance.
If we receive a cancellation in writing more than 45 calendar days before the date of your visit:
You may reschedule with no additional fees
Your registration fee and payments will be credited towards a future field trip before May 30, 2025
If we receive a cancellation in writing 45 calendar days or less before the date of your visit, your registration fee and payments are forfeited.
ALL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE IN WRITING AND SENT TO:
FAQ’S
How many people are required to receive group rates at Cranbrook Institute of Science?
20 paying participants. This can be any combination of adults and students.
What if my group is less than 20, but I still want a private program?
What are your group rates for homeschool groups?
FAQ’S
You may pay for 20 people at the group rate (even if your group is smaller) and you can still receive a program for your group.
We only want to see a planetarium show. Can’t we just pay for the planetarium?
The Acheson Planetarium may be rented for private shows at mutually agreeable times. Private rentals do include museum admission. For school-day groups, planetarium programs may be selected as one (or more) of the group’s programs.
Can we visit the museum without seeing a program?
School-day group visits have the cost of programming factored into ticket prices. Foregoing programming will not affect pricing and your visit will be limited to 2 hours. Admission pricing for senior/private weekend groups is independent of program charges.
During the week, school-day field trip fees apply. Chaperones are $13 per person, with one chaperone admitted free of charge for every 5 students, after the 20-person group minimum has been met. Teachers are free, provided the 20-person group minimum has been met.
How far in advance should I secure my group visit?
Reservations are accepted on a first-come, firstserved basis. We recommend scheduling at least 45 calendar days in advance of your desired date of visit.
When are my final attendance numbers due?
45 calendar days, minimum, in advance of your group’s visit.
What if fewer people come on the day of our scheduled visit?
Final balance due is based on attendance reported 45 calendar days before the date of your visit or the number of attendees on the day of the visit, whichever is greater.
Less than 45 days from the date of your visit, balances will only be updated due to increased attendance.
What if I need to cancel my group’s visit?
Cancel in writing more than 45 calendar days before the date of your visit:
• Reschedule with no additional fees
• Your registration fee and deposit/s will be credited towards a future field trip occuring before May 30, 2025
If we receive a cancellation in writing 45 calendar days or fewer before the date of your visit, your registration fee and payments are forfeited.
What deposit is required to secure my group’s visit?
A $100 non-refundable registration fee is required at booking to place a temporary hold on your requested date. This will be credited toward your field trip or forfeited if, at any time, the trip is canceled by the school.
How long are your educational programs?
Most programs are about 45 minutes in length.
When are programs offered?
Group programs are offered Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, on the hour, beginning at 9:00am.
Sometimes we can request alternate schedules – do not hesitate to ask!
How far in advance of my group’s program do I need to arrive?
Groups are expected to arrive no less than 15 minutes prior to the first scheduled program start time.
What
if my group is running late?
Please call the Reservations Office at 248.645.3210 or 248.645.3290
What are the expectations of chaperones?
Teachers and Chaperones are expected to remain with their group at all times – always watching over the children in your care. We ask that phones be silenced during program time and limit adult-to-adult conversations while in the exhibit spaces. Beverages and food are only allowed in lunch rooms.
Scientifically Fun Adventures Await... Contact Us Today!
If you have any questions about our programming or would like to inquire about customizing an experience for your group, please contact us by email or phone. We are happy to work with you and your group to curate a field trip at the museum, at your location, or virtually, that meets your needs!
It’s never too early to make summer plans!
Looking for summer programs? Cranbrook Institute of Science can bring the excitement to your school with our summer outreach programs, whether it's a onetime visit, repeated sessions, or community events. Many districts enjoy booking us for end-of-summer experiences, including back-to-school picnics and open house events featuring our Science Samplers and shows!
All programming can be adjusted to your preferences and needs. For summer program inquiries or more general information, contact our reservations team at: CISReservations@cranbrook.edu
Every program participant gets an opportunity to visit the museum for FREE! After your programming, keep an eye out for your post-visit survey email with details.
We’re delighted to ignite the excitement of science exploration in your classroom!
