FIELD TRIPS
FIELD TRIPS
We make learning engaging and exciting. Plan your next field trip today!
From the moment students set foot inside the Clay Center, we stretch their curiosity and challenge their expectations as they explore exhibits in the Avampato Discovery Museum, enter a portal to the cosmos in the Caperton Planetarium & Theater, and engage in hands-on experiences in the Juliet Art Museum.
Hands-On Experiences
Want to add on some hands-on experiences to your field trip? Look no further than our extensive list of STEM Labs, Art Labs, Early Childhood Programs, and Science Demonstrations. Sort by grade level using the dropdowns below to see programming available for your group.
Pre-Kindergarten–Kindergarten
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Animals
Does every single animal on earth live in the same home? Find out as we read “Where do Animals Live” by Alejandro Algarra. After listening to the story, students will match up animals to their habitats and even have the chance to meet a live creature and learn about it’s habitat!Art
You’ll discover the world of color mixing in this interactive storytime. Listen to the story of “Mouse Paint” by Ellen Stoll Walsh and then explore mixing colors just like those sneaky three mice did. Students will use model magic clay to explore primary colors in a fun and tactile way.Science
What is a fossil and where do they come from? You’ll discover answers to questions like this as we read “Dinosaurs Everywhere” by Carol Harrison. After learning about fossils and paleontology, you’ll get your wiggles out with a special Dinosaur Dance and even make an impression fossil to take home.
1st–2nd Grade
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City Builders
Plan out your own city in this fun civil engineering workshop! Learn how to use a map legend, construct a simple building from Legos, and then “lay down” roadways for special Ozobot robots to drive on.Engineering Emergency
Get ready to unleash your inner engineer and design a building that can withstand the fury of Mother Nature! Students will delve into the world of disaster-resilient engineering, where they'll learn the science behind tornadoes and earthquakes and apply their knowledge to create innovative structures that can survive these extreme weather events. -
Nature Illustrations
Embark on a journey through the natural world in this interactive Art Lab inspired by the work of West Virginian Artist, Rosalie Haizlett. Students will develop their observation skills by closely observing samples from nature and applying those observations to their own nature journal illustrations.
3rd–5th Grade
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Rocket Engineering
In this high-flying lab, students will learn the basics of engineering and rocket science to design and prototype an aircraft that can fly.Fossil Exploration
You’re on an expedition to study and classify real fossils in this adventurous hands-on workshop. What can we learn from environments long ago by studying fossils? You’ll have to join our exploration squad to find out. -
Watercolor Abstractions
Dive into the world of watercolor techniques in this engaging Art Lab. After exploring a few different abstract artworks, students will explore various watercolor techniques to create inspirational and engaging watercolor abstractions.
Shows and Films
Films
Experience wonder through our large-screen films.
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Follow Jack and Annie, stars of the Magic Tree House book series, as they meet a helpful astronomer and then travel into outer space, looking for answers to a mysterious riddle!
Grades: Kindergarten–3rd Grade
Focus: Learning about astronomy and the job of an astronomer
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Experience on the giant screen the remarkable true story of three animal species rescued from the brink of extinction. Join this amazing adventure to save California’s enchanting Channel Island Fox, China’s fabled Golden Monkey and the wondrous migrating crabs of Christmas Island. Discover successful, heartfelt and ingenious human efforts to rescue endangered species around the world. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy and narrated by Claire Danes, experience Back from the Brink: Saved from Extinction.
Grades: 4th - 5th
Focus: Endangered Animals
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Based on authentic scientific data from groundbreaking space missions, Worlds Beyond Earth takes viewers on an exhilarating adventure through our cosmic neighborhood. Immersive visualizations showcase the solar system with unprecedented accuracy, including a landing on the cratered surface of our own Moon, a dramatic flight through the swirling rings of Saturn, and soaring encounters with distant worlds of active volcanoes and buried oceans.
Grades: 4th - 5th
Focus: Solar Systems
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Dynamic Earth explores the inner workings of Earth’s great life support system: the global climate. This cutting-edge production follows a trail of energy that flows from the Sun into the interlocking systems that shape our climate: the atmosphere, oceans, and the biosphere. Audiences will ride along on swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales, and fly into roiling volcanoes.
Grades: 4th - 5th
Focus: Climate & environment
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Imagine a place that is vast, wild and untouched, where some of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles unfold. The Arctic National Wildlife refuge, situated in the northeastern corner of Alaska, is the wildest place left in North America. A symbol of wilderness for the world. No one has truly ever seen it. "The Arctic: Our Last Great Wilderness" will feature the first-ever cinematic account of this little known land where people can experience a world untouched by time.
Grades: 4th - 5th
Focus: Nature & Arctic
Live Shows
Live shows are led by a Clay Center Educator.
Cosmic Scale
Join us for "Cosmic Scale," an engaging planetarium show that will transform your perception of the universe! Delve into the awe-inspiring dimensions and vast distances of our solar system as we unravel the secrets of size and scale in an interactive and visually stunning experience. What does "really, really big" mean when we talk about the sun, planets, and beyond? Through captivating visuals we will explore mind-boggling comparisons and learn the astronomical concepts used by scientists to understand our cosmic neighborhood.
Grades: 2nd - 5th
Focus: Solar Systems
Field Trip Pricing
1 chaperone for every 10 students is required for field trips. Cost for additional adults is shown below.
Museum Admission
Students | $6.50
Chaperones | FREE
Additional Adults | $9.00
Museum Admission with Education Program
Students | $10.00
Chaperones | FREE
Additional Adults | $9.00*
*Not permitted in Workshop/Lab due to limited space
Museum Admission with Planetarium Film or Show
Students | $10.00
Chaperones | $3.50
Additional Adults | $12.50
Memberships cannot be used to cover field trip costs.
If you have questions or concerns regarding this, please contact us at 304-561-3570 or note them on the Field Trip Interest Form (click Book Your Field Trip above).
Museum Admission with Planetarium AND Education Program
Students | $13.50
Chaperones | $3.50
Additional Adults | $12.50*
*Not permitted in Workshop/Lab due to limited space