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Traveling Programs

Review traveling program pricing and policies below, then book your program online or by phone!

All programs are aligned to Academic Content Standards and most include preliminary and post-visit activities.

Submit a traveling program inquiry below or call 937.275.7431, ext. 125 to begin scheduling your visit today!
E-mail Education@BoonshoftMuseum.org or contact the Boonshoft Museum Education Department 937–275–7431, ext. 125 to speak directly to our friendly staff.

For more info on each program, download our STEM Guide 2024-2025

Our 2024 Booking Schedule:

Spring (January-May) – scheduling starts November 1

Summer (June-August) – scheduling starts January 1

Fall (September-December) – scheduling starts March 1

Click here to submit a traveling program request
Universe to You

Explore the wonders of the night sky and pique students’ interest in astronomy by bringing StarLab to your school or community center. Help your students enhance the observational and exploratory skills deemed necessary for today’s students to create tomorrow’s work force by the Ohio Revised Science Content standards.

  • Program cost: $200 per program (minimum of 2 programs per booking, or $400). Mileage included within a 50 mile radius of the museum.
  • This portable planetarium requires an indoor room with clearance 11 feet high, 20 feet wide, and 30 feet in length. The planetarium is inflated using a fan, and although it is handicap accessible, most enter by walking through a low tunnel.
  • Programs typically last 30 minutes and accommodate approximately 25 students per session. Programming can be tailored to desired topics, but often involves an exploration of the evening sky. Please allow approximately 30 minutes at the beginning and end of programs for set-up and take down.
  • Topics that may be covered include:
    • Earth’s rotation and orbit around the Sun
    • Phases of the moon
    • Planets and constellations
    • Native American constellations
    • Mayan constellations
    • The Southern hemisphere sky
    • Weather patterns
    • Deep sky objects

For additional information about the Astronomy Department please contact 937-275-7431, ext. 122 or email astronomy@boonshoftmuseum.org.
To schedule a Universe to You or planetarium program, please contact 937-275-7431, ext. 125 or email education@boonshoftmuseum.org.

Museum in Motion

Let the Boonshoft team facilitate an entire day of learning for your students as we bring the museum to your school! The day begins with an exciting and educational live show for all the students. Students of all ages will then get to explore 4 hands-on activities with their class. 
 
What does a Museum in Motion program include?  
  • A 6-hour day of educational programming  
  • A 45-minute long live show  
  • A 40-minute long interactive session for each class with 4 hands-on STEM activities.
"Think Like a Scientist": Dr. Discovery and assistant Sunny are here to train a new generation of scientists! This wacky duo will lead students through a series of experiments to learn about the scientific method and its role in astronomy, archaeology, biology, chemistry, and physics. 
"Animal Adaptations": Why do living things come in so many shapes and sizes? Join animal experts Dr. Discovery and assistant Sunny as they take students on a journey through different habitats around the world to learn about how animal adaptations are shaped by where they live. (This program does not feature live animals.) 
"Water Wise": Water is inside all living things, and it is all around us! It has properties that let it travel around the world in an ever-moving cycle. With some help from Dr. Discovery and assistant Sunny, students will learn about water’s “superpowers”, how we impact water, and what we can do to protect the water on our planet.

STEM to You

How much does it cost to bring Boonshoft to my school or facility?
Our travelling programs vary depending on the format. STEM to You and Universe to You programs cost $200/session, while Museum in Motion programs start at $1,200.
A $2/mile fee is added for programs at locations located more than 25 miles from the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.
 
How many learners can participate?
STEM to You and Universe to You programs are designed to suit individual classes or small groups of around 25 students per session. Each session lasts about 30-45 minutes.
 
Do you bring animals to schools?
Yes! Our “Meet the Animals” STEM to You program includes 3-4 animal ambassadors from our Discovery Zoo to teach about native and non-native species, adaptations, and conservation.
“Meet the Animals” programs are limited to locations within 25 miles of Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, per AZA regulations, and are only available April-October. (If you would like to Meet our Animals at another time of the year, consider scheduling a field trip to our location!)

Frequently Asked Questions

Fees & Payment

How much does it cost to bring Boonshoft to my school or facility?

Our travelling programs vary depending on the format. STEM to You and Universe to You programs cost $200/session, while Museum in Motion programs start at $1,200.

A $2/mile fee is added for programs at locations located more than 25 miles from the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.

How do we pay for the program? Can we pay in advance?

We accept checks, all major credit cards, and purchase orders (POs). Please make checks payable to the Dayton Society of Natural History. Advance payments are welcome and appreciated, but if you would prefer to receive an invoice after our visit, we can do that too!

Is there any financial assistance available?

We have scholarships available to help offset program costs for qualifying schools and organizations in Clark, Miami, Montgomery, and Greene counties! Please contact us to verify if your group will qualify to receive this assistance!

Activities

What's the difference between STEM to You and Museum in Motion?

STEM to You and Universe to You programs are designed to suit individual classes or small groups of around 25 students per session. Each session lasts about 30-45 minutes.

Museum in Motion is a school-wide event that runs for the whole day! This program starts with a 45-minute assembly followed by hands-on station activities that cover various STEM topics. Museum in Motion brings experiential learning to up to 400 students at a time!

What is Universe to You?

Universe to You brings our planetarium to your location! Students can explore Earth’s seasons, the life of stars, constellations, planets, and even black holes inside our portable, inflatable planetarium dome.

Do you bring animals to schools?

Yes! Our “Meet the Animals” STEM to You program includes 3-4 animal ambassadors from our Discovery Zoo to teach about native and non-native species, adaptations, and conservation.

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery reserves the right to cancel or reschedule animal programs due to the inclement for the safety and wellbeing of the animals. This can include extreme temperatures and other weather conditions. 

“Meet the Animals” programs are limited to locations within 25 miles of Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, per AZA regulations, and are only available April-October. (If you would like to Meet our Animals at another time of the year, consider scheduling a field trip to our location!)

Can you bring the sloth/otters/other favorite animals?

Our animal ambassadors are specially trained to interact with large groups of people. Zoo residents like Patience the sloth or our North American river otters do not travel on programs, so you will have to come see them on your next visit to Boonshoft!

Group Accommodations

I want to bring Boonshoft to a festival/open house/conference. How can we set that up?

Our educators love to bring their favorite science activities to large events! We can operate an activity table during your event at an hourly rate of $200/hour. Stage shows for large audiences start at $250/performance.

Animal ambassadors are available for large events within 25 miles of Boonshoft Museum of Discovery! Please be advised that there is a two (2) hour maximum reservation time for the animals.

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery reserves the right to cancel or reschedule animal programs due to the inclement for the safety and wellbeing of the animals. This can include extreme temperatures and other weather conditions. 

Do we have to provide supplies for traveling programs?

No, our educators take care of everything! We just ask that you provide a space that has at least one (1) table for the educator and easy access to cleaning supplies.

How do your programs accommodate learners with different ability levels?

Our team will work with you to accommodate the needs of your students. We cannot personalize our lessons to every student, but we will do our best to make our content accessible for everyone!

How do your programs accommodate learners of different ages?

Most of our programs can be adapted to suit varied audiences. Please contact us to learn more about our Toddler (0-3 y.o.) and Early Childhood (PreK & K) programs!

Ready to Book?

To schedule a Traveling Program, please call 937.275.7431, ext. 125 or submit an inquiry below.

Click here to submit a traveling program request