FAQs
Our primary focus is to provide DCPS 6th grade Earth Science courses with a cornerstone experience opportunity at the National Air and Space Museum. Field trips can also be arranged for:
- DCPS 7th Grade Life Science (Human Body Systems) & 8th Grade Physical Science Classes (Forces of Flight)
- DCPS Title 1 Eligible Schools
- DC Public Charter Schools (preference for Title 1 Eligible, Middle Schools)
All other school groups can reserve tours through Group Reservations including Story Time for our early childhood audiences
Schools located less than .5 miles from the Metro are encouraged to utilize public transportation. Schools located more than .5 miles from the Metro, or schools which would require more than 45 minutes on public transit may request bus transportation AT NO COST to the school.
Yes! Pre- and post-visit resources will be available depending on the components of your field trip experience.
We require the Field Trip Request Form to be submitted 4 weeks prior to your desired field trip date in order to confirm availability of all requested activities. Once submitted the timeline for field trip planning will be as follows:
| Time Before Reqested Field Trip Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 4+ weeks (minimum) | Submit Field Trip Request Form |
| 3 weeks | Finalize date of field trip |
| 2 weeks | Confirm activities, distribute pre/post-visit materials |
| 1 week | Confirm logistical details |
Getting to the National Air and Space Museum
Schools located less than .5 miles from the Metro are encouraged to utilize public transportation. Schools located more than .5 miles from the Metro, or schools which would require more than 45 minutes on public transit may request bus transportation AT NO COST to the school.
Does the Holt Scholars Program provide bus transportation to the National Air and Space Museum?
The Holt Scholars Program will provide bus transportation for DCPS middle school groups from Title 1 schools located more than .5 miles from a Metro station. Schools located within .5 miles of a Metro station are encouraged to utilize public transportation. Please indicate your preference on the Request Form.
How do I get to the Museum by Metro?
The Museum is near Metrorail (subway) stops on the blue, orange, yellow, and green lines. The closest Metrorail stop is at L'Enfant Plaza. Metrobus stops are located on Independence Avenue, SW, and along 7th Street, SW. Visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website for more information.
Can busses park at the downtown Museum?
Bus parking is not available at the Museum. Buses can drop off and pick up at the Independence Avenue entrance.
Lunch Options
School groups are encouraged to bring their own brown bag lunches, which can be discarded after lunch. To expedite entry into the Museum, please consolidate lunches into boxes (or soft-sided coolers provided by your school).
What costs should I consider?
Lunch for field trips is currently to be determined. More information will be provided in November, but please plan on bringing lunches or eating back at school.
Experience Details
Who is eligible to participate in the Holt Scholars Program field trips?
Our primary focus is to provide DCPS 6th grade students with unique learning experiences at the National Air and Space Museum. Primary consideration for field trips will be given to DCPS Title 1 Eligible Schools and DC Public Charter Schools.
Additional field trips can be arranged for DCPS middle school students in grades 7-8 and elementary school students in grades 3-5 on a case by case basis.
What options are available for DCPS PreK-2 audiences?
For our DCPS PreK-2 audiences, please reserve Story Time experiences. For other school groups, please review additional opportunities on the Group Reservations page.
How long is a Holt Field Trip?
On-site field trips will have three components: a Planetarium Show, a hands-on experience, and a Museum Guide. Altogether, these components will take approximately 3 hours to complete.
What is the student capacity and chaperone policy?
For on site field trips, we request that student numbers not exceed 60 per day. If you are a larger group, please let us know in the Registration Form so that we can discuss options.
Our chaperone policy for upper elementary and middle school students is 1 student per 10 chaperones.
How do I register for a Holt Field Trip?
Please fill out this Form to start the request process. Your field trip request will not be considered if your submission is not received at least 4+ weeks prior to your desired field trip date. Please note that this form is specific to 6th grade audiences. If you are a DCPS or DCPCS teacher for another grade level, please email Laura Blanton at BlantonL@si.edu.
Once your request is received and approved, make sure you have an account created in the Museum’s program registration system.
Are there pre- and post-visit activities provided based on the field trip experience?
Yes! Pre- and post-visit resources are available online through the Smithsonian Learning Lab https://learninglab.si.edu/org/airandspace? or the National Air & Space Museum Learn page.
FAQs
Our primary focus is to provide DCPS 6th grade Earth Science courses with a cornerstone experience opportunity at the National Air and Space Museum. Field trips can also be arranged for:
- DCPS 7th Grade Life Science (Human Body Systems) & 8th Grade Physical Science Classes (Forces of Flight)
- DCPS Title 1 Eligible Schools
- DC Public Charter Schools (preference for Title 1 Eligible, Middle Schools)
All other school groups can reserve tours through Group Reservations including Story Time for our early childhood audiences
Schools located less than .5 miles from the Metro are encouraged to utilize public transportation. Schools located more than .5 miles from the Metro, or schools which would require more than 45 minutes on public transit may request bus transportation AT NO COST to the school.
Yes! Pre- and post-visit resources will be available depending on the components of your field trip experience.
We require the Field Trip Request Form to be submitted 4 weeks prior to your desired field trip date in order to confirm availability of all requested activities. Once submitted the timeline for field trip planning will be as follows:
| Time Before Reqested Field Trip Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 4+ weeks (minimum) | Submit Field Trip Request Form |
| 3 weeks | Finalize date of field trip |
| 2 weeks | Confirm activities, distribute pre/post-visit materials |
| 1 week | Confirm logistical details |
Getting to the National Air and Space Museum
Schools located less than .5 miles from the Metro are encouraged to utilize public transportation. Schools located more than .5 miles from the Metro, or schools which would require more than 45 minutes on public transit may request bus transportation AT NO COST to the school.
Does the Holt Scholars Program provide bus transportation to the National Air and Space Museum?
The Holt Scholars Program will provide bus transportation for DCPS middle school groups from Title 1 schools located more than .5 miles from a Metro station. Schools located within .5 miles of a Metro station are encouraged to utilize public transportation. Please indicate your preference on the Request Form.
How do I get to the Museum by Metro?
The Museum is near Metrorail (subway) stops on the blue, orange, yellow, and green lines. The closest Metrorail stop is at L'Enfant Plaza. Metrobus stops are located on Independence Avenue, SW, and along 7th Street, SW. Visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website for more information.
Can busses park at the downtown Museum?
Bus parking is not available at the Museum. Buses can drop off and pick up at the Independence Avenue entrance.
Lunch Options
School groups are encouraged to bring their own brown bag lunches, which can be discarded after lunch. To expedite entry into the Museum, please consolidate lunches into boxes (or soft-sided coolers provided by your school).
What costs should I consider?
Lunch for field trips is currently to be determined. More information will be provided in November, but please plan on bringing lunches or eating back at school.
Experience Details
Who is eligible to participate in the Holt Scholars Program field trips?
Our primary focus is to provide DCPS 6th grade students with unique learning experiences at the National Air and Space Museum. Primary consideration for field trips will be given to DCPS Title 1 Eligible Schools and DC Public Charter Schools.
Additional field trips can be arranged for DCPS middle school students in grades 7-8 and elementary school students in grades 3-5 on a case by case basis.
What options are available for DCPS PreK-2 audiences?
For our DCPS PreK-2 audiences, please reserve Story Time experiences. For other school groups, please review additional opportunities on the Group Reservations page.
How long is a Holt Field Trip?
On-site field trips will have three components: a Planetarium Show, a hands-on experience, and a Museum Guide. Altogether, these components will take approximately 3 hours to complete.
What is the student capacity and chaperone policy?
For on site field trips, we request that student numbers not exceed 60 per day. If you are a larger group, please let us know in the Registration Form so that we can discuss options.
Our chaperone policy for upper elementary and middle school students is 1 student per 10 chaperones.
How do I register for a Holt Field Trip?
Please fill out this Form to start the request process. Your field trip request will not be considered if your submission is not received at least 4+ weeks prior to your desired field trip date. Please note that this form is specific to 6th grade audiences. If you are a DCPS or DCPCS teacher for another grade level, please email Laura Blanton at BlantonL@si.edu.
Once your request is received and approved, make sure you have an account created in the Museum’s program registration system.
Are there pre- and post-visit activities provided based on the field trip experience?
Yes! Pre- and post-visit resources are available online through the Smithsonian Learning Lab https://learninglab.si.edu/org/airandspace? or the National Air & Space Museum Learn page.