Field Trips | FAQ
To help you learn more about our field trip programs, and determine if they're right for your student group, check out our frequently asked questions (FAQ) below!
Before you book
When can we visit for a field trip?
Our in-person field trip programs run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. All our field trips happen from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (noon) MT, with lunch occurring after. The Cloud Detectives Learning Lab specifically has a snack break in the middle as well. If you need an exception to the timing, let us know!
Who should go on a field trip?
We encourage visits from PreK-12 grade student groups, including preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, and clubs. Please note that the maximum group size is 60 students per day, and we can split larger groups into multiple programs across different days.
What do you offer for homeschoolers?
Homeschool groups are encouraged to join us at our Homeschool Day, as an alternative to scheduling a Learning Lab, for activities that are tailored towards homeschool students. There will be one Homeschool Day each semester with a limited number of tickets.
What happens on a field trip to NSF NCAR?
During the school year, our experienced science educators host a Learning Lab field trip that includes a hands-on learning experience of your choice and a guided exploration of the NSF NCAR Visitor Center exhibits (see our current list of Learning Labs). In the summer, we offer a pre-designed learning experience for all age ranges, that we tailor for your student's ages.
Upon the end of the program, student groups are welcome to eat their lunch onsite, either on our outdoor Tree Plaza (weather-dependent) or inside the Mesa Lab Café. Afterward, student groups are welcome to spend self-guided time exploring the exhibits and/or take a short walk on the Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail. We will do our best to make the field trip meet the needs of your group.
What is a Learning Lab?
A Learning Lab is the name for the specific field trip program you can book with us. Each of our Learning Labs focus on specific subjects. Our programs are designed for PreK-12 grades and are aligned to Colorado science standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Check out our available Learning Labs and their descriptions.
How much does a field trip cost?
Field trips to the NSF NCAR Visitor Center are free! As a renowned national science center, we want to inspire students to learn more about the world around them. You will need to provide your own transportation to the site and have your own lunches for your group, but there is no charge for the program.
How can I arrange a field trip to NSF NCAR?
Before you get in touch, make sure you've reviewed this FAQ. Take a look at your Learning Lab options. Then visit our Reserve Your Field Trip page to complete our Calendly booking system. A School & Public Programs team member will reach out if we have questions about your reservation. Visits are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, and we tend to fill up our school year. We recommend requesting your field trip five months in advance.
What can I do to prepare before a field trip?
- Learn a little about NSF NCAR by exploring the UCAR and NSF NCAR websites. A good place to start is the Air • Planet • People video, which gives some basic information about the organization.
- Take a look at our Field Trip Information and Expectations document ahead of time. Review the Visual Schedule for your reserved Learning Lab and Social Narrative with your students. (You can email spp@ucar.edu if you don't see the documents for your program.)
- Please be aware that we are 6,100 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and visitors should dress appropriately for the current weather, especially if your Learning Lab includes an outdoor activity.
- Finally, you can incorporate some learning activities in your classroom that expand on the lessons from the field trip.
What type of accommodations can you provide?
Our School and Public Programs staff are committed to ensuring an inviting environment that promotes learning and enjoyment for all students. When you schedule your visit, please let us know what accommodations your students will need in the comment box. You can also email us ahead of requesting a reservation if you have any specific questions for your group. Our Visitor Accessibility page offers some information about our Mesa Lab Visitor Center.
Are all Learning Lab field trips recommended for wheelchair users?
The Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail is uneven, rocky, and narrow in areas. We do not recommend booking “Weather Trail Discovery” Learning Lab if your group includes wheelchair users. All our other Learning Labs that include an outdoor activity can be modified for wheelchair use. You can email us with any questions and let us know in the comment box on your program request form if anyone in your group will be using a wheelchair. For details on ADA-compliant drop-off, parking, and bathrooms, please visit our Visitor Accessibility page.
How many chaperones should I bring?
We recommend a student-to-chaperone ratio of 8:1 for grades 3-12, and 6:1 for grades PreK-2. Due to the fire code room capacity in our classroom, we may not be able to fit additional chaperones if you have a large number of students. If you will have more chaperones than the suggested ratios above, please let us know as soon as you have confirmed those numbers. If all chaperones cannot fit in the classroom, some may be asked to wait in the exhibits or the Café during the classroom activity. All chaperones are welcome in the exhibits and outdoor portions of the field trip.
During the field trip
What do we do when we arrive at NSF NCAR?
Before departing for NSF NCAR, ensure your drivers know how to get to the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab and where they should park. It can take up to five minutes to walk from the parking lot to the entrance, so remember to arrive early! Buses can drop students off in the designated drop-off area in the parking lot. Students and adults with ADA-compliant needs can be dropped off at the turnaround by the entrance, and park there if needed. Our Field Trip Information document is a handy guide so please share this with your other teachers and chaperones!
What are our options for lunch?
Students should plan to bring a packed meal to the field trip, or you can travel back to your school for lunch. Lunch happens after the Learning Lab ends around noon. Groups are encouraged to enjoy a picnic lunch on NSF NCAR's Tree Plaza when the weather allows. (If your group has anyone in a wheelchair, please let your educator know and we can guide that person to the Tree Plaza.) Lunch can also be eaten indoors in the NSF NCAR Café and a section of the café will be reserved for your group. Student groups are only permitted to purchase their lunch if arrangements have been made in advance. Teachers, group planners, counselors, and parent chaperones are welcome to buy their own lunch in the café.
What if I scheduled a Learning Lab with an outdoor activity, but there is bad weather or poor air quality?
Our team will assess conditions at the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab on the morning of the field trip to determine if any program changes need to be made. We follow Boulder Valley School District air quality and extreme heat and cold weather guidelines, and will notify you and change your Learning Lab to another grade-appropriate indoor option if; the wind chill is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat index is greater than 100° Fahrenheit, or Air Quality Index is Very Unhealthy. The outdoor portion of your field trip may also be shortened or adjusted in the case of rain, thunderstorms, icy trails, and other dangerous conditions. If you have any questions or would like to make adjustments to your program selection prior to arrival, you can email us.
Are there any policies in place that our group should be aware of?
In an effort to best protect our staff and other visitors, all Chaperones/Educators to the NSF NCAR Mesa Laboratory should observe their students' general health. If a student or adult feels or appears ill, that person may not enter the facility for the visit.
After your visit
What follow-up activities do you recommend after my field trip?
For activities that specifically relate to the Learning Lab you took part in, visit our After Your Field Trip page. You can also check out our Teacher Resources page, which includes the Learning Zone and all of our Classroom Activities, to see the full range of free materials we offer.
How do I provide feedback after visiting the Mesa Lab?
We want to hear how your visit went! We strive to ensure each experience at the Visitor Center is valuable and want to improve our offerings. If you have brought your students to the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab visitor center for a field trip, please fill out our survey. You will also get a follow-up email after your visit with a link to the survey. You should only complete our survey once per teacher, but multiple teachers on a field trip can submit their own survey to provide individual feedback.
How can I stay connected with the resources and opportunities SciEd offers?
Consider signing up for our K-12 newsletter. You will receive seven subject matter newsletters during the school year highlighting different Earth system science topics. You will get direct links to classroom activities, professional development workshops, upcoming virtual opportunities, notice to book an in-person program for the next school year, and other resources!
Have a question that you don't see here? Contact our School and Public Programs Office by email with any other questions you might have. We want to make your visit educational and fun!