Field Trips | Prepare for Your Field Trip
The NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research's field trip program is only possible with the assistance of chaperones who accompany visiting groups. Alongside teachers and our educators, chaperones help ensure the visit is a success. We appreciate your support in supervising group members during the field trip! All adults on the field trip should review our Field Trip Information document to be prepared for the visit.
Before your visit
- Review student expectations and our tips for chaperones in our Field Trip Information document
- We ask chaperones to avoid bringing students' siblings. Your presence and availability to answer student questions during the field trip are very important!
- Explore the UCAR and NSF NCAR websites and watch the video, Air • Planet • People, so that you can answer basic questions about the organization.
- Make sure you know how to get to the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab. Review where the drop-off area is, where to park, and the path to the front doors with our Parking Map. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about your arrival.
- School and Public Programs Phone: 303.497.2401
- Mesa Lab Front Desk Phone: 303.497.1126
- Review the Visual Schedules we offer for select Learning Labs, then share with your students. These documents are particularly insightful for teachers and classes on a first-time field trip with us.
Social Narrative
Help set expectations for your visit to the Mesa Lab by reviewing a Social Narrative document. We offer a version that is generalized for all field trip visits. Please email the School and Public Programs Team to receive the field trip Social Narrative.
Teacher's Guides
We offer two teacher's guides for our "What's Up with Our Changing World?" and "Engineering for Change" Learning Labs. These guides are intended to provide supplemental activities and resources to help you prepare students for learning about the variability of our Earth's systems, or reinforce what was learned on their visit. Please email the School and Public Programs Team to receive your Teacher's Guide.
During the field trip
Have students leave their backpacks in the vehicle(s) and bring their lunches with them inside, if eating onsite. Walk with the group to the building's main entrance and have students gather in the lobby while you check in with the front desk.
Typically, a field trip to NSF NCAR will last approximately two hours plus time to eat at the Mesa Lab. School groups are welcome to explore the hiking trails behind NSF NCAR after their trip, which is not included as a part of our experience. (Although some groups may go out on the Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail as a part of their Learning Lab.) Field trips typically include a tailored tour of the facility, a classroom experience, time in the exhibits, and lunch. Check with your teacher/program leader for specifics about your visit.