School Field Trips

Field Trips

Your group can enjoy a learning experience that is educational, engaging, and FUN.

From natural science exhibits to planetarium programs to hands-on experiments, you will never forget a field trip to The Schiele! Discover a variety of programs that support the lessons from your classroom. 

ENJOY NEW & IMPROVED GROUP EXPERIENCES IN 2024-2025!

  • Curbside assistance
  • Designated bus parking
  • Indoor lunch tables
  • Updated exhibit spaces

Plan your visit and browse program descriptions below!

Group Prices and Scheduling

Advance booking is required for field trips to the Schiele Museum. To qualify for group rates, groups must contain a minimum of 15 paying participants and pay as a group.  See program details for special pricing for selected programs. 

Teachers and staff leaders are free! (One leader per group of 15 paying participants.)

Rates for Students and Accompanying Parents

Museum Experience (includes indoor exhibits, The Farm, and the Nature Trail) – $5.00 plus tax 
Museum Experience + Planetarium Show or Gemstone Mining or Animal Dissection – $10.00 plus tax
Museum Experience + Other Educational Program – $8.00 plus tax

Museum Admission

Your group’s museum admission includes Museum Exhibits, an outdoor Nature Trail, and The Farm.

$5 per participant

Enjoy exhibits featuring wildlife, live animals, habitats, minerals, dinosaurs, American Indians and MORE. Museum exhibits are included with every field trip.

Follow a winding trail through the forest, pass a pond and stream, explore life-sized mazes, and spend time learning and playing in the outdoor Play’Scape.

Don’t miss a trip to The Schiele’s working farm! Explore the science and culture of agriculture in our area, including the roles of plants, live animals, and people.  

Planetarium Programs

Boost the educational impact of your field trip with a journey through space! (Specific curriculum objectives available upon request.)

$5 per participant

State-of-the-art digital technology will immerse your students in an unforgettable experience!

Educational Programs

A museum educator will guide students through one or more of these interactive educational programs. 

Most programs can be adapted to meet the specific learning needs of your group.

$3 per participant (unless special pricing applies)

Recommended for Grades 3-12

Discover how Indigenous cultures were shaped by North American environments. Examine artifacts from a variety of Native American tribes.

Recommended for Grades K-2

Explore the diversity of the animal world with the help of our Animal Ambassadors! Interact with live animals to learn what they look like and how they move.

Recommended for all ages

Meet some of our Animal Ambassadors and discover how animals eat, grow, and survive. Explore the interesting adaptations that help them thrive!

Recommended for Grades 3-7

Investigate animal biology through this hands-on guided workshop.

Special pricing: $5 per participant

Recommended for Grades K-3

Get buzzy! Explore the world of bees and learn about their essential role as pollinators.

Recommended for Grades 3-5

Investigate the biology of the human body while solving a mystery during this interactive workshop.

Recommended for Grades 1-8

Explore the life of a dinosaur, how it lived, and how its bones became fossils. 

Perfect for Pre-K

Explore a special topic through stories, songs, and crafts designed just for children ages 2-5.

Recommended for Grades 3-12

Take a guided tour to discover the interdependence of plants and animals found in North American biomes.

Recommended for Grades 3-12

Discover how animals survive and thrive in extreme environments by learning about their adaptations in different ecosystems.

Recommended for all ages

Available March – November

Participants use a running water sluice to find, examine and classify minerals they can take home. 

Special pricing: $5 per participant

Recommended for Grades K – 3

Can you dig it? Learn about the amazing properties of soil and how dirt really does make the food that we eat!

Recommended for Grades 2-12

Available March – November

Explore the culture of the Catawba People to learn how they survived in the wilderness long ago. 

Recommended for Grades 2-7

Experience dynamic demonstrations of the principles of matter, energy, sound, light, and electricity.

Recommended for Grades K-12

How do scientists identify bones and fossils? Find out with hands-on exploration of local wildlife specimens.

Recommended for Grades K-5

Available September – October

Learn about the wonders of everyone’s favorite fall fruit! Following the program, participants can choose a North Carolina-grown pumpkin to take home. 

Recommended for Grades 1-6

Get an up-close look at local plants while you explore their adaptations, life cycles, and identifying characteristics. You’ll also learn about photosynthesis.

Recommended for Grades 2-12

What happens when air, water, and sun interact? Learn about wild and wonderful weather in a presentation packed with demonstrations that will inspire budding meteorologists.

Want the museum to come to your location? Interactive presentations for all ages are available when The Schiele visits your school or event.

Browse Schiele To Go outreach programs! 

The Schiele Museum’s educational programs address critical standards for public education. For specific curriculum standards met by our programs or questions about your visit, please contact our Group Scheduling Coordinator at  stephanie.austin@gastonianc.gov.