Philadelphia STEM Field Trip Guide
Searching for STEM field trip opportunities for students from PreK to 12th grade?
Our list below is a great starting point! Click the links provided for more details.​
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Please note that the Philadelphia STEM Field Trip is not exhaustive list of STEM outreach activities in the area. Inclusion in the Guide does not indicate endorsement of the listed programs. For more detailed information about specific programs or organizations, please contact them directly. To add your outreach opportunity to the Guide, please reach out to Betsy Payne.
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Museum of Natural Sciences at the Academy ignites the passion of our community and engages them in the wonders of the natural world through hands-on, inquiry-based programming. Our science field trips offer you a range of educational and entertaining experiences. Take advantage of the reduced admission fees and, once inside, sample our self-guided exhibits and programs. Call our Reservations Office at 215-299-1060 or email reservations@ansp.org to schedule your field trip today
Camden Waterfront; 1 Riverside Drive; Camden, NJ 08103
Bring your school group to Adventure Aquarium to experience the wonder of one-of-a-kind exhibits throughout two million gallons of water. Upgrades include add-on classroom and auditorium programs, reserved lunch space and a 3D film in our 3D theater. Reservations are required and must be booked two business days in advance. Please call the Group Sales Department at 844-474-FISH (3474) or go to Student & Youth Groups page.
American Helicopter Museum & Education Center
1220 American Boulevard; West Chester, PA 19380
The Museum offers educational programs for groups of students and adults by appointment. All programs are age-appropriate and aim to provide visitors with a hands-on experience of rotary wing aviation. Student programs are aligned with state curriculum standards. Please complete this form to tell us more about your group. If you have any questions, please call us at (610) 436-9600 or email us at info@americanhelicopter.museum.
American Swedish Historical Museum
1900 Pattison Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19145
The Museum located in FDR Park welcomes everyone to explore cultural identity and the origins of Philadelphia through the stories of Swedes and all Scandinavians. Our field trips and in-classroom programs cover cultural and historical topics, as well as humanity’s relationship to nature from a Swedish perspective, with program themes including Orienteering, Recycling, and Animals and their Habitats. Field trips and outreach programs at ASHM are free for schools in the Philadelphia School District. For more information or to book a program, email education@americanswedish.org or call 215-389-1776 x108.
Bartram’s Garden
5400 Lindbergh Boulevard; Philadelphia, PA 19143
We welcome students for low-cost, interactive educational programs highlighting nature, art, and history. Our field trips and teaching resources serve schools, camps, and community groups with students from pre-K through high school. To request a field trip, go to https://www.bartramsgarden.org/field-trips/.
The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education
206 Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044
Dive into the thrilling world of forensic science with CFSRE's engaging field trip,
specially designed for high school students. Held on Fridays from 9 AM to noon, this
immersive 3-hour experience allows students to explore real-world applications of
forensic science through forensic toxicology, forensic biology, and forensic chemistry.
For more information and scheduling, please visit:
https://www.cfsre.org/education/stem-programs/field-trip-opportunities
College Settlement of Philadelphia
600 Witmer Road, Horsham PA 19044
Hands-on education is the heart of our Outdoor School Program. We offer both day and overnight programs that incorporate environmental education, team building, and retreat-type activities. Our goal is to provide lessons and activities that fit into your existing curriculum. Contact us for more information at
camps@collegesettlement.org or call us at 215-542-7974.
Our farm offers school-age children and adults a unique, hands-on, garden-to-table education. This living, outdoor classroom connects learners to the source of healthy food, promotes healthy eating, and investigates the science behind agriculture. After digging, planting, pulling, and harvesting, students can taste the produce they have worked with in delicious, nutritious snacks that are served at the completion
of each class. To bring your class to the Deaver Wellness Farm, contact Lankenau’s Health Education Center at 484-476-3434 or lhhealthedcenter@mlhs.org
Elmwood Park Zoo
1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown, PA 19401
Elmwood Park Zoo is the perfect destination for groups looking to share a unique experience. You can also choose from a wide selection of educational programs that are individually tailored for students and children as young as preschool age but can be appreciated and enjoyed by all age groups. Learn about wildlife, the natural world, and how to help save it through our interactive programs. For more
information, please contact our sales department at groupsales@elmwoodparkzoo.org
Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center
640 Waterworks Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Our School Programs are designed for pre-K through college level are created to meld the science, technology, engineering, art & architecture and math (STEAM) behind providing drinking water, protecting our source water and within a regional urban watershed. We offer several themed lessons, each runs about two hours in length, including a hands-on component, and most can be adapted to any age.
To request your trip, fill out this form.
The Franklin Institute
222 North 20th Street; Philadelphia, PA 19103
Experience the fun and excitement of a visit to The Franklin Institute with your group! Admission to the museum includes access to three floors of hands-on science exhibits and experiences. Explore interactive exhibits, attend live science programs, and watch a show in the Fels Planetarium. Reservations are
required. Scheduling your visit is easy, fill out our Group Reservation Form, or call 215-448-1200.
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The Gene Editing Institute
550 South College Avenue, Suite 208, Office GEI-07,
Newark, DE 19713
We offer Learning Lab as a free, immersive experience for students to learn the basics of CRISPR and gene editing with a hands-on experiment. High school students are invited to cut DNA with CRISPR and produce a color-change readout in bacteria, giving a tangible phenotypic result for students to observe and learn from. A primer course preps students for this in-depth CRISPR experiment with a synthetic gene. This lab is
typically reserved for juniors and seniors in high school. For more information and scheduling, contact geneediting360@christianacare.org.
Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Columbus Blvd. & Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
Discover Philadelphia’s River of history and world of connections through the exploration of our award-winning and interactive exhibits. Climb aboard the oldest floating steel warship in the world on Cruiser Olympia and submerge yourself aboard the World War II-era Submarine Becuna. For pricing and scheduling go to Group Visits or contact us at https://www.phillyseaport.org/contact/.
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
8601 Lindbergh Boulevard; Philadelphia, PA 19153
From free guided nature walks to nature festivals, refuge staff and volunteers offer more than a hundred free public programs all year round, both at the refuge and in Southwest Philadelphia! You can find a full schedule of events at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/john-heinz-tinicum/visit-us, visit us on Facebook @JohnHeinzNWR or call 215-365-3118.
John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove
1201 Pawlings Road; Audubon, PA 19403
Field trips to our Center are fun and exciting, and center around concepts of nature, conservation, and art. Situated on over two hundred acres of forest, field, and creek habitats, there is plenty to explore both indoor and outside. Age-appropriate program topics include migration, watershed health, climate resilience, healthy forests, adaptations, and pollinators, and align with many PA State and STEELS Standards. For more information, visit our Environmental Educations Programs page or contact Marcy Engleman, Senior Coordinator, Conservation Education or call 610-666-5593 ext.109.
137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, PA 19063
Linvilla Orchards is a 300-acre family farm dedicated to agriculture, entertainment, and education. We will help you plan the perfect outing for your Daycare or Elementary Schools, Kindergarten through 3rd Grade group. Reservations are required so please call our office at 610-876-7116.
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Longwood Gardens is the world’s premier horticultural display garden, featuring more than 1,000 acres of gardens that range from exotic flowers to insect-eating plants to managed meadows. Our Pre-K-12 Programs are designed to help teachers augment curriculum, engage students in meaningful exploration, inspire new generations to value stewardship of the environment, and much more. For more information, contact us at 610-388-5223 or at k12@longwoodgardens.org.
100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is a historic public garden and educational institution with programs that integrate science, art, and the humanities. Our robust curriculum of educational programs will expand your knowledge of the natural world. For more information visit our For Educators page or to schedule a field trip, email tours@morrisarboretum.org.
The Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
19 South 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia’s Mütter Museum offers a variety of educational programs catering to levels 6th grade and up with subjects such as health, science, and history. All our lessons confirm with applicable education standards. For questions about group visits, scheduling tours, Mütter Lessons, and Mütter on the Road, or for a free teacher’s pass to see if the Museum is right for your class, contact Museum Educator Amanda McCall at (215) 399-2266 or amccall@collegeofphysicians.org
Norris Square Neighborhood Project
2141 N. Howard St., Philadelphia, PA 19122
We offer schools and other groups the opportunity to spend time in our gardens and share our cultural heritage through a fully immersive environmental experience. Students learn about the ways community gardens are sites of resistance, the importance of fighting back against predatory development, the ways community agriculture serves as a tool for environmental preservation, and the symbiotic relationship between foodways and identity. To register for a tour of the gardens go to https://www.myneighborhoodproject.org/our-gardens#tours-of-the-gardens.
Outdoor Adventure Lab at Camp Garrison
4021 Upper Ridge Road, Pennsburg, PA 18073
The Outdoor Adventure Lab provides transformative experiences for youth and adults through outdoor education and recreation. With a focus on academic success in STEM, our program is committed to providing both youth and adults with opportunities to achieve academic success through outdoor education, programming aligned with Pennsylvania standards and opportunities for character, leadership, and collaboration skills though outdoor recreation programming. The Outdoor Adventure Lab is a subsidiary of the Cradle of Liberty Council, Scouting America. Learn more about our program offering on our Field Trip website, and reach-out at info@outdooradventurelab.org with any questions or to book a trip!
3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
From preschool to high school, a trip to the Penn Museum is an unforgettable way to spark curiosity and love of learning. Enrich critical thinking skills through art, science, history, and more by selecting from a variety of tours and interactive workshops to create your own experience. Contact us at education@pennmuseum.org to find out how the Penn Museum can support your curriculum.
Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
350 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19134
Our Humane Education program offers interactive educational experiences for youth interested in learning about animal welfare. We offer programming for Philadelphia schools for grades 3 and up, and we tailor the topics according to the needs and goals of each group. For more information and to request a shelter visit, pleases fill our form on our Humane Education page.
Peter Wentz Farmstead - Montgomery County Division of Parks, Trails, & Historic Sites
2030 Shearer Road, Lansdale, PA 19446
The Peter Wentz Farmstead is a restored 18th-century historic site and working farm. We offer plenty of fun, educational events and programming throughout the year, including living history demonstrations, workshops, nature programs, and much more. Let us know when you're coming - call us at 610-584-5104 or email us at peterwentzfarmstead@montgomerycountypa.gov.
Philadelphia Water Department – Education and Outreach
1101 Market Street, 5h Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107
The Philadelphia Water Department offers a number of educational programs and resources through the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center to increase understanding of water systems, the importance of water quality, watershed protection, and stewardship action. Visit our Education & Outreach page for more information.
3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Bring your lessons to life in our 42-acre living classroom! Spark your students’ curiosity and help them connect with the wonders of wildlife. A field trip to the Zoo is like no other, combining learning, fun, and the chance to get a little wild. To book your trip for your school group, please fill out the found in our
Field Trips page.
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
1950 Spring Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035
Riverbend offers standards-aligned programs designed to connect students with the natural world and bring nature-based science to life through the lens of our preserve. Students will learn through participating in hands-on, inquiry-based activities at stations around our 30-acre preserve. To register, please visit Explorable Places, our registration platform, to find available dates for your field trip. If you have any questions about programs or the registration process, please email Suzanne Safran or call 610.527.5234 ext.112.
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
8480 Hagy’s Mill Road; Philadelphia, PA 19128
Give your students a vibrant context for learning with hands-on exploration and observation of nature at the Schuylkill Center. Our 365-acres of fields, forests, and ponds are a living laboratory for students of all ages. In addition to a guided lesson, students can explore our indoor Discovery Center, visit the environmental art gallery, and eat lunch in our picnic grove. Programs can be customized to meet your group’s needs. To reserve a field trip for your students, call 215-853-6249 or email us at bkelly@schuylkillcenter.org.
315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
The museum of the Science History Institute explores the stories behind science! Our School Tours are designed for middle-school, high-school, and college-age students to build connections between science, culture, art, technology, and invention. Tours and activities explore a broad range of topics, including environmental activism, women in STEM, the technology of synthetic fibers, color and materials science, food science, and more. Gallery tours last 30-40 minutes, and can be combined with museum scavenger hunts, or hands-on collections-based stations. Large groups may need to stagger tour times. To book a tour, go to our profile page at Explorable Places.
970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311
Far from the classroom, students will explore White Clay Creek and the surrounding watershed. They will collect aquatic bugs, use a dichotomous key, and perform water chemistry tests while learning how scientists determine the health of streams and rivers. Our center is a working laboratory, so our programs are developed from our scientists’ research. For more information and to request an education program, visit our School and Youth Programs page.
Wagner Free Institute of Science
1700 West Montgomery Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121
The Wagner Free Institute of Science provides free field trips, tours, and educational programming to school groups Pre-K through 12th grade, as well as colleges and interest groups. Lesson topics span geology, biology, ecology, chemistry, and more. Check out all our lesson offerings here! To register your group, please go to our Field Trips & Tours page.
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
5105 Kennett Pike; Winterthur, DE 19735
Winterthur is a museum, garden, library, and state-of-the-art conservation center with more than 90,000 objects that tell the diverse stories of four centuries of American history. Whether your interest is art, science, design, nature, fine art, or social studies, Winterthur offers meaningful learning experiences for students of all ages and abilities. For more information and to book a trip, go to our At the Museum page.
Women’s Animal Center offers onsite and offsite Presentations & Workshops to meet the needs of any age group. From preschool to college-level students and scout troops, to local businesses and groups, Women’s Animal Center can accommodate a presentation to meet your interests and goals. Programs at Women's Animal Center include a tour of our animal shelter. For off-site visits, one of the Ambassador Animals (small shelter animals such as a rabbit) will come along. If you are interested in learning more about the topics or pricing, or would like to discuss creating a program to better fit your needs, please fill out the interest form HERE.
Chamounix Equestrian Center, 98 Chamounix Drive,Philadelphia, PA 19131
We would love to host your group at our stables! We call these field trips “Discovery Days”; educational tours of our working stable where you will learn about horse care, behavior, and receive an interactive lesson with our horses. To visit, please fill out our Discovery Day Sign-Up Form. For more information, please contact belle@worktoride.net.
​Please be aware that Philadelphia STEM Field Trip Guide:
​
-
Is not a comprehensive list of STEM outreach activities in the region.
-
Inclusion in the Guide does not imply endorsement of the listed programs.
-
For detailed information about any specific program or organization, please reach out to them directly
-
To include your Field Trip opportunity in the Philadelphia STEM Field Trip Guide, contact Betsy Payne, Manager, Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem at spayne@philaedfund.org.