About

MUSEUM OF NATURAL CURIOSITY FIELD TRIP

Explore the curious wonders all around us! Have adventures in the Rainforest, Water Works, Discovery Garden, Kidopolis, and the Exploratorium exhibits.

Self-Guided Explorer Experience Field Trip Includes:

  • A greeting from Thanksgiving Point staff
  • Self-guided tour of Museum of Natural Curiosity. You will need to organize your students in groups with chaperones as facilitators before you arrive to the museum
  • Up to 3-hour admission to the museum
  • Online resources to engage students HERE
  • $4 per student
  • For more information, see policies below. 
  • For a successful field trip please read policies HERE
  • For preschools, clubs, camps, and community groups, see below.

Facilitated Explorer PLUS Field Trips LOOK Include:

  • The self-guided explorer experience field trip
  • Science Core theme-based activity "LOOK CLOSER"
  • 25 minute hands-on, facilitated, theme-based activity for each class
  • $5 per student, includes admission and activity
  • See Explorer PLUS activities HERE

REQUEST SCHOOL FIELD TRIP

MUSEUM OF ANCIENT LIFE FIELD TRIP

Roam with the dinosaurs! The museum hosts the world's largest display of mounted dinosaurs, along with many hands-on exhibits.

Self-Guided Explorer Experience Field Trip Includes:

  • A greeting from Thanksgiving Point staff
  • Self guided tour of Museum of Ancient Life. You will need to organize your students in groups with chaperones as facilitators before you arrive to the museum
  • Up to 3-hour admission to the museum
  • Online resources to engage students HERE
  • $4 per student
  • For more information, see policies below.
  • For a successful field trip please read policies HERE
  • For preschools, clubs, camps, and community groups, see below.

Facilitated Explorer PLUS Field Trips LOOK Include:

  • The self-guided explorer experience field trip
  • Science Core theme-based activity "LOOK CLOSER"
  • 25 minute hands-on, facilitated, theme-based activity for each class
  • $5 per student, includes admission and activity
  • See Explorer PLUS activities HERE

 

REQUEST SCHOOL FIELD TRIP

FARM COUNTRY FIELD TRIP

Come meet your favorite farm critters such as cows, goats, horses, chickens, sheep, and pigs on a real working farm. You could even meet some unusual animals like llamas, alpacas, and peacocks!

Self-Guided Explorer Experience Field Trip Includes:

  • A greeting from Thanksgiving Point staff
  • Self-guided tour of Farm Country. You will need to organize your students in groups with chaperones as facilitators before you arrive to the Farm
  • Up to 3 hour admission to the venue
  • Wagon ride included in field trip price
  • Please bring your own garbage bags if you plan on eating lunch on the Farm grounds & remember not to feed the animals your lunch!
  • Online resources to engage students HERE
  • $4 per student
  • For more information, see policies below.
  • For a successful field trip please see policies HERE
  • For preschools, clubs, camps, and community groups, see below.

Facilitated Explorer PLUS Field Trips LOOK Include:

  • The self-guided explorer experience field trip
  • Science Core theme-based activity "LOOK CLOSER"
  • 25 minute hands-on, facilitated, theme-based activity for each class
  • $5 per student, includes admission and activity
  • See Explorer PLUS activities HERE

 

REQUEST SCHOOL FIELD TRIP

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER EXPLORATION

Career Exploration Experience Field Trips (CEE's) - A hands-on experience that gives students insights into a variety of careers.

Career education helps lay the ground work for future career development. It helps students learn about their interests, aptitudes, and skills, and to develop a positive attitude toward work. Thanksgiving Point’s career experiences give students an in-depth look at a variety of careers. These field trips are a great option as a fulfillment of the College and Career Awareness Work based requirements.

CEE FIELD TRIP INFO:

  • Three, 50-minute hands-on experiences that explore various careers
  • $8 per student
  • Offered at 10:00 am
  • For 6th-8th grades
  • One chaperone for every 10 students
  • Venue admission is not included in the cost Admission may be purchased separately for $2 per student. Admission must be paid in a single transaction by the Teacher at the venue

Field Trip Types: 

The jobs students choose early in life can be the first steps on the path to a meaningful career. These hands-on field trips are designed for junior high school students to gain experiences in a variety of careers available at Thanksgiving Point and elsewhere. We have three field trip options that provide a look into these careers. See field trip types HERE

REQUEST SCHOOL FIELD TRIP

MAMMOTH SCREEN 3D FIELD TRIP

Bring science to life by watching an educational film on our Mammoth Movie Screen.

Field Trip Includes :

  • A greeting from Thanksgiving Point staff
  • All movie lengths are approximately 30-50 minutes
  • Scholarship funds do NOT apply to Movie field trips
  • One free chaperone per class. Additional adult or guest admission is $6 per person and must be paid in a single transaction by a teacher.
  • Movies are open to the public so schools should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance
  • Movie schedules change often: see online movie listings for current schedule
  • Theater is located inside the Museum of Ancient Life

REQUEST SCHOOL FIELD TRIP

ASHTON GARDENS FIELD TRIP

Visit an oasis in the desert! The Gardens features 55-acres of stately gardens, grand lawns, and the largest man-made waterfall in the Western Hemisphere.

Explorer Experience Field Trip Includes:

  • A greeting from Thanksgiving Point staff
  • Self-guided tour of Ashton Gardens. You will need to organize your students in groups with chaperones as facilitators before you arrive to the Garden
  • Up to 3-hour admission to the Gardens
  • You are welcome to eat lunch in the front on the west lawn. You are responsible for bringing your own garbage bags and for removing the trash from the property as it is difficult to access the property's dumpsters
  • Dress appropriately for weather conditions and walking as you will be outdoors
  • For Tulips Journey North participants - chaperone backpacks are provided to help with facilitation in the gardens. Backpacks must be returned to the front desk before departing.
  • Online resources to engage students HERE
  • $4 per student
  • For a successful field trip please read policies HERE
  • For preschools, clubs, camps, and community groups, see below.

EXPLORER PLUS FIELD TRIPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE GARDENS

REQUEST SCHOOL FIELD TRIP

Explorer Field Trip: A self-guided tour through a Thanksgiving Point venue

  • $4 per student.
  • Starts at 10:00AM and every half hour after. 
  • For a successful field trip see more details on policies HERE


Explorer Plus Field Trip: A one of a kind 25 minute classroom activity in addition to what is offered in the Explorer Field Trip

  • $5 per student.
  • One-of-a-kind 25 minute classroom activity for each class.
  • Starting times are 10:00AM and every half hour after.
  • Available for K-6th grades only.
  • Maximum of 3 hours per time slot.
  • Each class will rotate into an activity facilitated by an education staff member. The special interactive learning experience will start every 30 minutes per class. See staff for starting times of each class when you arrive.
  • For a successful field trip see more details on policies HERE

Thanksgiving Point offers special Discovery Field Trips for all preschools, clubs, camps and other community groups to visit one of Thanksgiving Point’s venues Tuesday-Friday that check in before 4:00pm.

Museum of Natural Curiosity, Museum of Ancient Life and Ashton Gardens:

  • Price includes all youth and adults participating for $6.00 each
  • One free instructor for each group

Farm Country:

  • Price includes all youth and adults participating for $4.00 each
  • One free instructor for each group

Field Trip Includes:

  • A greeting from Thanksgiving Point staff
  • Self-guided tour of venue.
  • 3-hour admission to the venue
  • Required minimum 1:4 chaperone/child ratio (more adults are welcome)
  • For more information, see FAQs
  • For a successful field trip please see policies HERE

 

Request Discovery Field Trip

Field Trip Scholarships

Scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year are open now. A Field trip to one Thanksgiving Point venue once a year per grade is available while scholarship funds are still available. Field trips must be booked 30 days in advance. Scholarship funding may be applied to field trips from Sept-March ONLY. Scholarship funding is not available for field trips April-August.

A Scholarship request form must be accompanied by a Field Trip Request form!

For All Public Schools
Thanksgiving Point received funds from the Utah State Office of Educators Informal Science Education Enhancement (iSEE) group to extend scholarship field trip opportunities to public schools, K- 12, on a first-come, first-serve basis. A field trip to one Thanksgiving Point venue once a year per grade is available while scholarship funds are still available. Field trips must be booked 30 days in advance. Scholarship funding is not available for any field trips April through August.

For Title I Schools
Are you a Title I School in need of field trip assistance? At Thanksgiving Point, we believe curriculum-related field trips provide a valuable learning experience for your students to bring learning to life. Each year at our annual fundraising dinner, many generous donors provide assistance to Title I schools by funding field trip scholarships.

With this support, Thanksgiving Point is offering field trip assistance to grades K-12 at all Title I schools and we are able to provide scholarships to applicant schools. Students of an entire grade level of each selected school will receive scholarships to attend a Thanksgiving Point field trip at one Thanksgiving Point venue for FREE.

Applying for a Field Trip Scholarship

After completing the online request form for your field trip, fill out the Field Trip Assistance Form below. We are excited about this opportunity for students to experience hands-on learning at Thanksgiving Point. We are also grateful to generous donors who made this scholarship program possible. Scholarship funds do not apply to transportation, movies or pony ride add-ons.

Please note: Scholarships are not awarded for any Middle School Career Exploration (CEE) Field Trips.

Scholarship Form

Thanks to generous support from Utah County, Utah County School Districts (Alpine, Nebo, and Provo) each selected one grade to receive fee-waived Explorer field trips on Wednesdays at the Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point, but subject to availability. The grade levels selected by the districts are:

Alpine: 3rd Grade
Nebo: 5th Grade
Provo: 2nd Grade

Your Explorer field trip experience includes a welcome from Thanksgiving Point staff and a self-guided tour to explore the venue. Explorers are encouraged to use the online field trip resources provided or to develop their own plans for engaging their students.

Guidelines:
• Fee-waived field trips are available for Explorer experiences on Wednesdays only.
• Schools wanting an Explorer Plus or field trip experience on another day of the week must use other scholarship or payment options.
• Schools must book their field trip online at least one month in advance. Field trips must take place before March 31st.

Instructions to Apply:
1. Complete the online Field trip request form here.
2. Thanksgiving Point staff will contact you to confirm and schedule your requested field trip.
3. Make sure your field trip fits the day/field trip type requirements listed above.

We invite educators and one guest to visit Thanksgiving Point free of charge to discover how you can help make the most of your school’s field trip. Explore the resources and experiences available for your class with fun, hands-on learning activities prior to your field trip visit. You must show your teacher ID card with a picture to the admission desk upon arrival.

Don't forget to check out our Teacher Education Day, for more info about field trips!

Thanksgiving Point strives to provide educational experiences for students, teachers, and families. We have a variety of programs and field trips, all aligned with the Utah State Science Core Curriculum, Intended Learning Outcomes, Standards, and Objectives to give you and your students a one-of-a-kind experience.

  • Teacher Guide and Field Trip Checklist HERE
  • Chaperone Guide HERE
  • Online Resources to engage students in the classroom HERE
  • Museum of Natural Curiosity Driving Directions HERE
  • Museum of Ancient Life Driving Directions HERE
  • Farm Country Driving Directions HERE
  • Ashton Gardens Driving Directions HERE
  • Student Guides HERE

Twice a year Thanksgiving Point offers a Home and Online School Education Day. Enjoy facilitated educational activities in each of our venues designed to give students opportunities to discover scientific concepts for themselves. Come explore the curious wonders of the Museum of Natural Curiosity or roam through the dinosaurs in the Museum of Ancient Life. Meet the farm animals at Farm Country or choose to visit the stately gardens at the Ashton Gardens!

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, September 12th, 2018

10:00am-3:00pm

or

Wednesday, February 6th 2019

10:00am-3:00pm

Aston Gardens are closed in February.

 

You will not need to preregister for Home and Online School Education Days. Just show your state certification upon arrival at the registration table in the lobby of Museum of Natural Curiosity or Museum of Ancient Life, to be approved for the special rate of $6 per person (or $4 for Farm Country).

If you wish to attend on a different date, please see the information under 'Preschools, Clubs, Camps, and Community Groups' and pre-register for your selected date.

Teacher Educator's Day

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Educator's, we value your efforts to give your students opportunities to explore science outside the classroom. During Teacher Educator's Day, you can experience for yourself what Thanksgiving Point has to offer your students at the Museum of Natural Curiosity, Museum of Ancient Life, Farm Country and Ashton Gardens.

Admission is free on this date for all educators with current school identification and you may arrive any time between 3:00 pm-7:00 pm. Please check-in in the lobby of Museum of Ancient Life or Museum of Natural Curiosity to get your free pass. Bring your fellow educators to visit our wonderfully diverse venues to see how our exhibits and immersive environments correlate to the state standards for your grade and how our programs can support and enhance your good work in the classroom.

Learn about self-guided and facilitated K-12 field trips, scholarships to help with the cost of visiting Thanksgiving Point, free statewide outreach programs for 3rd and 8th grades, USU Science Kits for checkout, and the ECO Challenge high school environmental science program. Check our state standard-related activities that are a part of Explorer PLUS facilitated field trips offered at each venue and explore our spaces to get inspiration for bringing science to life for your students.

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