Open Field Trips - Spring 2020
Gateway Science Museum is open for classroom visits for all grade levels. Open Field trips encourage open and self-directed exploration of the museum’s exhibits, allowing for free discovery and inquiry. Experienced museum field trip guides dedicated to your class provide an introduction to the museum and each exhibit and instruct one hands-on, standards-based activity.
Friction
Gain a better understanding of friction through this hands-on experiment with a variety of surfaces and ramps (K-2) or elastic stretch vs. surface (3-5).
Wildlife
Explore how you can use the evidence from an animal's pelt and skull to determine if it is a predator or prey, where they might live, and what they might eat.
Circuits
Gain a better understanding of the change in energy from one form to another by completing a circuit. Explore the pathways and connections to power to lightbulb, sound machines, and fans.
| Days | Wednesdays and Fridays from February 12 to May 1, 2020. Dates not available: March 18 & 20, 2020. |
| Times | 9-10:20a.m. OR 10:40a.m.-noon. TWO classes may attend each time slot. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to start time. Field trips will not be extended for late arrivals. |
| Cost | $75 per class (maximum 33 students per class). NOTE: Classes with more than 33 students require special arrangements and will incur additional cost. PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED TWO WEEKS FROM THE DATE CONFIRMATION LETTER IS RECEIVED TO SECURE FIELD TRIP DATE AND TIME. Cost also includes teacher/chaperone entry. Teachers are considered chaperones. The payment deadlines and number of chaperones required will be indicated on the Confirmation Letter sent by email after reserving a field trip date and time. |
| Guided Activity | Open Field Trips will include one hands-on, standards-based activity. First choice of activity is not guaranteed. See above for full activity descriptions. Please rank the following three activities in order of preference:
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| Chaperone Requirements | We require a minimum of 3 chaperones per class, and can accommodate up to 8 adults, including the teacher. Chaperones are an important part of the field trip and will be able to engage in the activities and help support the museum staff by interacting with the exhibits, participating in the activities and helping children who may need to use the facilities. Chaperones will be able to help the students have a safe, focused, fun experience that they will remember for years. No siblings will be accommodated. Chaperone Guide for Open Field Trips will be included with field trip confirmation. |
To schedule your class for an Open field trip, email ALL the following information to Jeanne Greene(opens in new window) at jbgreene@csuchico.edu:
- Teacher's name
- School
- Grade level
- Number of students in class
- Number of student aides, if any
- Number of student teachers, if any
- Preferred dates (Wednesdays and Fridays only)
- Preferred time (9:00a.m. or 10:40a.m.)
- Guided activity choice: Please rank in order of preference: Friction, Wildlife Adaptations, Circuits.
- Teacher's cell phone number
- Arriving by bus, private vehicles or both
If you are scheduling a field trip for more than one class, please provide the above information separately for ALL classes. We will try to accommodate your requested date(s). Field trips have limited availability.
Payment: Once all the above information is received, a Confirmation Letter will be sent by email. Field trip dates and times will not be secured until payment is received. Field trips are filled on a first paid, first served basis. PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED 2 WEEKS FROM THE DATE CONFIRMATION LETTER IS RECEIVED. Reservations not paid by the due date (as indicated on Confirmation Letter) will become available for booking by another class.
Rescheduling, Cancellations and Refunds: Rescheduling a field trip date is subject to availability. If a field trip is rescheduled less than five (5) business days prior to original field trip date, a rescheduling fee of $25 will be charged. Notice of cancellation is required at least five (5) business days prior to scheduled trip for refund. Scheduled field trips that are canceled less than five (5) business days prior to field trip date will be charged 100% of the field trip cost. No shows will not receive a refund. Field trips will not be extended for late arrivals.
Location: Gateway Science Museum, 625 Esplanade Avenue, Chico (next to Bidwell Mansion). Please note this address is NOT our mailing address.
FIELD TRIP PARKING
Parking in the Gateway lot while participating in a field trip at Gateway is FREE and does not require purchasing a parking permit. Vehicle information must be entered on the museum parking log which should be with a docent. A field trip parking map (PDF) show available parking spaces.
Buses can drop off and pick up students in front of Gateway as shown on the field trip parking map (PDF). The bus must be parked off site for the remainder of the class visit.
Do NOT park in the Bidwell Mansion parking lot, the CSUC R4 designated spaces or the 24 Hour Reserved spaces. Parking in these locations while visiting Gateway may result in a citation. All parking spaces for Bidwell Mansion have "Bidwell Mansion parking only" painted on the pavement. The R4 and Reserved spaces are identified by signs. Also be aware that many of the residential streets around the immediate area of the museum do not allow public parking.
Parking at Gateway is also free when visiting during open hours.