Welcome educators and students! We offer a host of engaging programs for school groups visiting our two locations.
Explore our school programs below and make reservations for your next field trip. If you can't visit us in person, we have a wealth of online resources for creating classroom materials, doing homework, or just having fun — while learning, of course!
Plan a Field Trip
Watch orientation videos to find out what you need to know before you go.
Select one of our two locations to get started:
Museum in DC >
Udvar-Hazy Center in VA >
Look Through Telescopes
Join our astronomy educators for a close-up look at our nearest star, the Sun, from the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory at the Museum in Washington, DC.
Grades: 3+
Group Size: 25 maximum
Learn about our Public Observatory >
IMAX & Planetarium Shows
See a current IMAX film or Planetarium show and enjoy special group rates.
Grades: varies by film
Duration: 25-45 minutes
Group Size: 10 or more
Group Tickets >
Shows & Schedules >
Smithsonian TechQuest: Flying Circus
Flying Circus is an alternate reality game set in the thrilling era of aviation when daring pilots zoomed across the sky and airplane designers pushed boundaries.
Learn About Flying Circus >
Reserve for groups larger than 15 >
Be Your Own Guide
No reservations required! Download and print these museum guides. Teacher guides are also available.
Grades: K-8
Guides for the Museum in DC >
Guides for the Udvar-Hazy Center >
Upcoming Events
We have educational activities scheduled throughout the year. Check out our calendar to see what's going on now.
Take a Tour
Go on a thematic tour of the Museum with one of our knowledgeable guides.
Grades: K-12
Duration: 30, 60, or 90 minutes
Group Size: 10 minimum
Tours at the Museum in DC >
Tours at the Udvar-Hazy Center >
Get Hands On
Learn by doing! Fly a paper airplane, plan a mission to Mars, or climb inside a Cessna and work the controls. School groups can reserve a variety of Science Demonstrations, Discovery Stations, and Learning Labs.
Museum in DC >
Udvar-Hazy Center in VA >
Hear a Story
Sit back and let our educators read you a story of flight in this activity designed for young learners.
Grades: Pre-K through 3
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Group Size: 20 or 25 maximum
Story Times at the Museum in DC >
Learn Online
We've compiled teacher guides, activities, and other educational materials for use in the classroom or at home.
Explore our educator resources >
Find resources by topic >
Engage in STEM
Have 30 minutes? Join us for a live, fast-paced webcast designed to increase student interest in STEM. Contribute online or join a live filming at the Museum in DC.
Grades: 6-8
Discover How Things Fly
Teaching a unit on how things fly? Need images to show in class? Looking for a fun assignment? Check out these resources: