NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Looking for a unique way to teach your students about the science of flight or space exploration? A trip to the NASA Glenn Research Center is an educational experience a child is sure to remember.

Image left: Aerospace Lecturer Monica Boyd describes the components of the space shuttle to a young student. Credit: NASA

The NASA Glenn Visitor Center offers free field trips all year for schools, summer camps, scouts and other groups. Field trips cover a variety of topics and can be adapted for a specific grade level. Please plan your trip at least six weeks in advance.

How to Make a Reservation
Please complete a Request Form (PDF) and fax or mail it to:

NASA Glenn Research Center
Field Trips
21000 Brookpark Road, MS 8-1
Cleveland, OH 44135-3191
Fax: (216) 433-3601
Phone: (216) 433-3156
Email: ft@grc.nasa.gov

Field Trip Details
All field trips listed below include the following components:

1. A slide show and interactive presentation in the Visitor Center auditorium
2. A scavenger hunt or guided tour through the exhibit area*
3. A video in the Visitor Center auditorium
4. Handouts for children and supplemental lessons for teachers

Kindergarten through second grade
Program title: Living in Space
Monday - Thursday at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

How do astronauts in space eat, sleep, exercise and take care of personal hygiene? Students will discover the answers to these questions and more through slides, demonstrations and displays in the exhibit area.

Third and fourth grades
Program title: Planets
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

Take a tour of the solar system through demonstrations, exhibits and pictures from NASA missions. Students will learn about the sun and all its natural orbiting bodies, plus the distances between the planets.

Image right: Visitor Center volunteer Don Pearson shows students how amateur radio stations work. Credit: NASA

Fifth and sixth grades
Program title: Principles of Flight
Thursday at 10 a.m.

How do airplanes fly? Students on this field trip will find out through models and demonstrations of the four forces that act on an airplane. Exhibits relating to aircraft development, testing and propulsion systems enhance the lessons.

Seventh through twelfth grade
Program title: International Space Station
Thursday at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

This field trip describes the living conditions on the International Space Station and highlights the research conducted by crewmembers. In addition, students will learn about our nation's first space station, Skylab. Space shuttle and Skylab exhibits add to the fun.

Optional program
Program title: Living and Working in Space
Monday - Thursday at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

Learn about the daily activities of the astronauts and specialists aboard the space shuttle. This field trip emphasizes life-support systems, experiments, observations and other tasks. Lessons are presented through a slide presentation and audience participation.

If the topic offered for your grade level does not fit your curriculum, you may choose the Living and Working in Space program. This field trip can be adapted to any grade level. However, you must choose a program when you make your reservation.

Summer Program
Program title: Living and Working in Space or Living in Space
Monday - Thursday at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

*Groups of 50 or fewer may choose between the scavenger hunt and guided tour. This selection must be made at the time the field trip is scheduled so that adequate staffing is available. Groups of more than 50 may participate in the scavenger hunt only.

More Information:
› Visitor Center