This depends on your program choices. Some programs have seating limits which restricts how many students can come. The maximum limit is 280 students (program choices limited) and the minimum is 15 students.
A program seating limit means a program has a limited number of seats that can be occupied during a program.
Science on a Sphere: Max 160 Total= 40 Students Per Group
Steam Activity: Max 120 Total = 30 Students Per Group
Nature Trail: Max 120 Total= 30 Students Per Group
Exhibits: Max 120 Total= 30 Students Per Group
We can split your group into multiple field trip dates. For example, if you have 200 students, we would have 100 one day and 100 on a different day.
Our field trip programs are catered towards groups of 15 students or more. If you have less than 15 students and still want a guided field trip, you must pay the minimum fee for 15 students. Alternatively, you can come as “General Public” and visit any of our daily public shows. If you are a homeschool group, we would recommend looking into one of our “Homeschool Field Trip Days.” These are special days set aside for homeschool families or small co-ops to experience the same field trip programs as our MAS Field trip experience.
Yes, general admission is good for the entire day! This includes admission to our after hours events, unless otherwise noted.
To book a field trip, we work with “approximate” numbers. We need a general idea of how many students and chaperones (staff AND parents) are coming (20, 30, 50, 100, etc.) in order to book. Once your field trip has been confirmed, you will only need to provide an accurate attendance count closer to your field trip date so your invoice can be prepared accurately.
You can update your numbers after you receive your field trip reminder. However, when you arrive we will still ask you the number of students, teachers, and parents that you have with you. Please have those numbers ready.
There is not a limit on how many parents can come, however, there are other policies for parents that must be followed:
-Students and staff for any school present that day have seating priority.
-You must provide an approximate number of parents when booking. Any parents not included in this number will not be guaranteed seating in certain programs.
-Parents are to pay with the school. We include a Parent Ticket form during the booking process for your convenience. If you have parents that are paying separately from the school, they cannot enter the building until 10:00 AM when the Museum opens, as individual payments cannot be made until then. They may miss out on their child’s first program at 10:00 AM as there is no late seating.
-Please provide parents with the “Parent Guide” which is provided in your approval PDF (you receive this when you have been booked).
You are required to have 1 adult per 10 students. If you are short on teachers you can assign “designated chaperones” to fill in for what you need to reach that required number. Designated chaperones are adult staff or parents that are responsible for watching and staying with your group for the entirety of the field trip. Admission is free for designated chaperones. A parent that is not a designated chaperone is charged the $10 field trip fee. EX. A group of 120 must have 12 teachers/designated chaperones. If you only have 6 teachers, then you must have 6 additional designated chaperones.
No. Any adult above your required number are listed as parents/additional adults and are $10 each. Exceptions are made for groups with special needs.
You start by filling out the Interest Form on our Field Trip page. After the form is filled out, the Group Tour Coordinator will email you further details. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response.
Availability can run out as soon as two months in advance, especially for Fridays. We book up to 4 months, so we recommend booking as soon as possible within that time frame to get your preferred date. Our busiest time of year is the spring semester (March, April, May). You can view our availability calendar when you fill out the Interest Form.
All booked field trips will receive an email titled “Museum Field Trip Approved”. This email is confirmation that your field trip is booked and on our calendar.
If an email is missing, always be sure to check your “Spam” folder first. You may not have received confirmation if there was an issue or conflict on the form you turned in. If that is the case, you will have received a “Regarding Unapproved Field Trip” email containing details as to why your school/organization has not yet been approved.
You may receive this email for a variety of reasons such as the date you chose is not available, you have gone over the seating limit for a program, or there may be something we need to clarify before you are booked.
Groups need to arrive at 9:30 AM for check-in and restrooms, as field trips start promptly at 10:00 AM.
Field trips are 3 hours (10:00 AM-1:00 PM), and each program is between 35-40 minutes long. This includes a lunch break.
If you arrive late, then your first program will either be shortened or forfeited. It is not possible to adjust the program times as your group may not be the only ones on a field trip that day.
We run field trip programs in 45-minute time slots
10:00am-10:45am
10:45am-11:30am
11:30am-12:15pm
12:15pm-1:00pm
If your group is large, you may be divided into multiple groups (2, 3, or 4 smaller groups). Therefore, your group may be in different locations during your field trip.
The lunch breaks are dependent on your group size and program choices. Often large groups will not eat together at the same time due to the schedule rotations. There are only two time slots we use for lunches: 11:30 and 12:15. Your group may have one or both of these times for lunch depending on your size and program choices.
The Museum has a “No Food or Drinks” policy inside the building. This is to protect our exhibits and equipment. The Museum does not have a cafe nor do we offer food. There is an outside drink machine and a water fountain in the lobby.
Lunch is at the picnic area by the big red caboose near the Museum entrance. This eating space has the largest capacity for groups to enjoy their lunches. In the event the picnic area cannot be used, due to rain or other circumstances, groups will be guided to use our covered pavilion.
It is important to let the Group Coordinator know if you're not staying for lunch, as lunch is not guaranteed to be your last program. Your lunch time may be before your last program due to how we have to divide the group based on size, program choices, and other groups visiting that day. These details need to be given when you initially book as we may not be able to adjust the schedule later.
You can experience three programs plus a designated break for lunch.
Our Educator’s Guide has field trip options listed by grade level and curated with the Georgia Standards of Excellence in mind. We recommend choosing programs that align with your grade level and standards.
View the Educator's GuideYes, we understand different types of schools may be learning different material. We will simply check to make sure that what you choose is correct and that you understand the content and learning level.
You can pay by cash, card, or check. Payment is due upon arrival on your field trip date.
Parents should pay through the school and are $10 each (discounts and Memberships do not apply). Your school/group is responsible for collecting parents money and must be paid with the rest of the group, in one transaction. You will receive a Parent Ticket form during the booking process for your convenience. If you have parents attending that were not included in your numbers and not paying with the school, then the parents cannot enter the building until 10:00 AM when the Museum opens, as individual payments cannot be made until that time. They may miss out on their child’s first program at 10:00 AM as there is no late seating. Please make sure parents are aware of this policy. We can only accommodate the parents that were included in the reservation numbers.
Email the Group Tour Coordinator if you need a new invoice and provide your new numbers. Invoices will be updated only once before your field trip. If you have not already paid before or on the day of your field trip, an updated invoice will be sent to you.
The Museum will only issue refunds that are $25 or over. We cannot do refunds for less than that amount. If this is an issue, you can make a payment up to 30 days after your field trip with the updated payment amount.
Yes, you can book a field trip if you meet the minimum 15 student requirement.
Small co-ops or families can come on our “Homeschool Field Trip Days.” These are events set aside for homeschool families to experience a choose your own adventure style field trip. We try to offer these days about four times a year, and you can check our Events page on our website and our social media for information and updates.
The Museum has field trips for groups with PreK children. If a 3-4 year old child is participating in the field trip (going to shows and participating in the activities with the group), they will need to pay the field trip rate of $10. All children under 3 are free.
Homeschool Field Trip Days are events set aside for homeschool families and small co-ops who are too small to book a standard field trip. These days provide a “choose your own adventure” style field trip where homeschool families can experience the same type of programing large school field trips experience.
These days are listed under the Events page on the website. We usually have two in the fall and two in the spring.
Homeschool Field Trip Days are $10 per child with one free adult per family. At least one parent or guardian must be present with a child in all shows and programs. Additional parents/adults are $10 each. Tickets are required via the Events page on our website.
No, each Homeschool Field trip Day follows a different theme and has different programs based on that theme. There may occasionally be a program that repeats if it meets the theme of that day. You can see themes and program information for each Homeschool Field Trip Day on our Events page on the website.
Each day will have a theme and a schedule of programs happening that day. There will usually be 2-3 programs occurring simultaneously at any given time slot. You can choose which of those programs you would like to go to based on age and what interests you and your family. Each program title will be listed with a recommended grade level range based on program content. Each program will occur more than once.
These are field trips offered during June and July that better suit the needs of our summer group audience.
Summer field trips are not based on the Georgia Standards of Excellence. They include our 3 most popular programs: Live Animal Experience, Planetarium Show, and guided Discovery House Tour.
Please fill out our Interest Form on the field trip page at the end of May. Our Group Tour Coordinator will contact you and provide further information and guidance on how to properly book your visit.
We can accommodate up to 110 people. The minimum number we book is 15.
You can book over multiple days and have part of your group come one day and the rest come a different day.
Groups should check in between 10:00 - 10:15 AM, as the field trip starts at 10:30 AM.
Payment is expected at that time.
Be prepared to tell the front desk your final total numbers of children (3-17) and adults. You are required to have 1 adult per 10 children.
Staff will guide and seat you to each program during your field trip.
Yes, groups can take advantage of our newly renovated picnic area outside by the caboose. Seats are first come first serve.
The Museum does not have a cafe nor do we offer food. There is a drink machine outside and a water fountain in the lobby.
Groups can bring lunches, but you must store these in a vehicle as food cannot be brought into the Museum. You may have catering brought to the Museum, however, the Museum is not responsible for bringing the delivered food out to you.
If you would like to visit the Museum Store please be prepared to go in smaller groups of no more than 10 at a time. Edible items bought in the store must be kept in its packaging or eaten outside.
You can pay by cash, card, or check. You must pay on the day of your visit.
Children (3-17) are $10 each.
1 Adult/10 children is FREE.
Additional adults are $10 each.
You are required to bring 1 adult per 10 children. These adults are automatically counted as free. Adults must stay with and watch over the group for the entirety of the group's visit. Any additional adults must pay the adult rate of $10 per adult. EX. If you have 60 children in your group then 6 adults are free.
Please note that Museum memberships/discounts do not apply to field trips. Exceptions will be made at the discretion of the Museum.
The Museum will only issue refunds that are $25 or over. We cannot do refunds for less than that amount. Please have accurate group numbers and payment ready by the date of your visit. If you are unsure of your payment amount, contact the Group Tour Coordinator.
