2023-24 School Year Programs for Children and Families
Spring programs run from January 3rd to June 14, Tuesday-Friday.
The Wagner Free Institute of science provides free field trips, tours, and educational programming to schools, colleges and interest groups. Booking is currently open for the Spring and Summer 2024 semesters. Advance reservations are required for all groups of 10 or more people.
Children’s Group Visits
These trips are intended for school groups for students in Pre-K through 12th grade or afterschool programs such as Scouting groups or clubs. Groups for Pre-K through 1st grade must be between 10 and 30 students. Groups for 2nd grade and above must be between 15 and 70 students.
Field trip lessons for students in Pre-K to 1st grade are 60 minutes and start with a short, interactive science lesson in the gallery before moving on to a scavenger hunt. Lessons for students in 2nd grade and above are 90 minutes and begin with an interactive science lesson in the lecture hall, followed by a touch table and themed museum scavenger hunt.
Lesson topics span geology, biology, ecology, chemistry, and more. Check out all our lesson offerings here!
Field trip lessons are free, but donations are encouraged! The suggested donation is $5 per student
Summer 2024 Programming
Summer visits to the Wagner Free Institute can be booked for groups of between 15 and 60 children. Groups must have one chaperone (18+) for every 5 children under 7 or one chaperone (18+) for every 10 children 8-17. Summer programming will take place between June 15, 2024 and August 16, 2024.
Pre-selected science lessons will be offered Tuesday through Friday, 10:00-4:30pm. Advanced registration for group visits is required. Lessons are 60 minutes long and include a short, interactive lecture, a scavenger hunt in the museum gallery, and time outdoors in the Wagner’s yard.
Lessons offered:
Tuesday: Dinosaurs & Fossils
Wednesday: Ocean Life
Thursday: Rocks & Minerals
Friday: Insects & Other Arthropods
Field trips to the Wagner are always free, but donations are encouraged! The suggested donation is $5 per child. Questions? Email Morgan Caswell, museum educator, at morganc@wagnerfreeinstitute.org.
Homeschool Family Programming
Lessons for the 2023-2024 academic year have ended. Registration for October 2024 will open in September.
Homeschool and cyber school families are invited to join us for 90-minute science lessons on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 2:00-3:30pm. Each lesson consists of a 30 minute lesson, a touch table with selected pieces from the teaching collection, and a themed scavenger hunt. Unless otherwise stated, these lessons are open to all students Pre-K to 12th grade.
2024-2025 School Year Homeschool Schedule:
October 8, 2024 - Animal Adaptations
November 12, 2024 - Ocean Acidification (5th and above)
December 10, 2024 - Animals in Winter (Pre-K to 3rd)
February 11, 2025 - Dinosaurs and Fossils
March 11, 2025 - Skeletons
April 8, 2025 - Urban Ecology
Advance registration for homeschool lessons is required. Registration will open one month prior to each lesson. Homeschool lessons cap at 60 students are first come, first serve. Once capacity has been reached, you will be added to the waitlist. You will be notified via email if you are moved off the waitlist.
Field trips to the Wagner are always free, but donations are appreciated. The suggested donation is $5 per child.
These lessons are intended for individual families to register. If you are a homeschool group or co-op, please reach out to Morgan Caswell at morganc@wagnerfreeinstitute.org to plan your trip.
College Groups
These programs are intended for classes and clubs of between 15 and 100 people:
Short Historical Introduction: This is a 15 minute talk about the history of the Wagner Free Institute, its collections, and contemporary programmatic offerings. After this, students are free to explore the building and work on assignments as given. This is ideal for art classes. (Please note: only pencils and sketchbooks will be permitted in the gallery.)
History of the Wagner: This 45 minute presentation goes more in depth about who William Wagner was, the founding of his Institute, history of science, and architecture. Additionally, key pieces of the collection will be highlighted on a short tour in the gallery.
Custom Lesson: If there's something your class is learning about within history of science, natural sciences, museum studies, or education, please reach out about a custom lesson. We have an extensive teaching collection and library. Please reach out to Morgan Caswell at morganc@wagnerfreeinstitute.org to discuss.
A few important things to keep in mind for your visit:
The gift shop will be closed to groups. Students may order $3 or $5 grab bags in advance. The order form will be sent in the group visit confirmation email.
The Wagner does not have accessible entrances or an elevator. The main gallery is located on the 2nd floor.
There is no eating or drinking at the museum, but sealable water bottles are permitted. They can be refilled during the trip.
Questions? Email reservations@wagnerfreeinstitute.org for more information!
Museum Tours and Adult Groups
Museum tours are available for groups of 10 or more. Tours can focus on Wagner history, history of science, collections highlights, or architecture depending on the interest of the group.
Donations are recommended. Fees may apply for museum tours depending on the content and length of the program. Reach out to reservations@wagnerfreeinstitute.org with 3 possible dates and times, group size, and topics of interest to book.