Science Field Trips in Connecticut
There are many destinations in Connecticut that support the study of science. These can be great experiences for your class, or for you and your family.
Audubon Greenwich
Greenwich
The center consists of 295 acres of open woodlands, meadows, ponds, and streams. With eight miles of beautiful trails, and a model backyard wildlife habitat, the Center offers visitors the opportunity to observe more than 900 species of ferns and flowering plants, and up to 35 species of mammals and 160 species of birds. The bird blinds around Mead Lake offer the chance to watch and photograph water birds without disturbing them. During the fall, the annual hawk migration can be seen from the Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch Site.
Sharon
This nature center and wildlife sanctuary is owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. The Sharon Audubon Center has over eleven miles of scenic hiking trails, and includes 1,147 acres of mixed forest, meadows, wetlands, ponds and streams. The Sharon Audubon Center offers educational programs for all ages, a seasonal newsletter, nature programs, wildlife rehabilitation, research, live animal exhibits, a children's adventure center, a nature store, and a natural history library.
Beardsley Zoo
Bridgeport
Beardsley Zoo has over 300 animals, representing primarily North and South American species. Their education programs can presented at the zoo, or they may be able to bring the zoo to you!
Bruce Museum
Greenwich
Bruce Museum offers programs in the arts and sciences, providing education programs and field trips for all grade levels.
Hartford
Great for family day trips, birthdays, and class trips, the Connecticut Science Center has hands-on science exhibits and a 3D digital theater! You'll also find a variety of high quality professional development for teachers, including the NextGen Science Exemplar System. Bring your students, or bring the museum to them through their classroom outreach programs.
Connecticut's Dinosaur Trail
From Yale Peabody's Museum of Natural History, to Lake Compounce's Dino Expedition, the Connecticut Science Center, Dinosaur Place, and of course our own Dinosaur State Park with the world's best trackway, dinosaurs are everywhere! See the article from the CSTA June 2015 Newsletter for details.
Worcester, MA ...OK, not CT, but close!
This multi-faceted science and nature center offers a variety of interactive exhibits indoors, short walking trails outdoors, planetarium shows, and staffed programs for upper elementary and lower middle school grades. The option to do a brief outdoor activity is great, though it's best to visit when it's not too crowded as the atrium building is loud.
Energize Connecticut Center
North Haven
Interactive, professionally-staffed center focused on energy education. Free guided tours and learning activities for grades K-12. Students will learn about energy, energy generation and distribution, nonrenewable and renewable energy sources; energy efficiency and the connection between energy and the environment. Bus reimbursement may be available. Free eesmarts Energy Education program information.
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
Norwalk
The Maritime Aquarium is well-suited for large groups of all ages with live animal exhibits, interactives, science and maritime technology and history exhibits and a variety of programs on general science topics and specific Long Island Sound units.
Mystic
There's lots to do in Mystic, so you can make Mystic Aquarium a part of your family's vacation itinerary and still have more to do in the area or plan a trip with your class. There is a combination of indoor and outdoor exhibits, a boardwalk experience called the Marsh Trek, live sea lion shows, and a 4D theater. Since 1975, the Animal Rescue Clinic has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing marine animals. Plan to peek into their clinic to see their ongoing work.
Roaring Brook Nature Center
Canton
Roaring Brook Nature Center offers a year-round schedule of educational programs for all ages. You will find a variety of lectures, workshops and field trips available to adults on a wide range of natural history topics and environmental issues, as well as educational programs both at the Nature Center and as outreach programs in schools. Check out their seasonal nature walks too! They host special events such as an annual Hobgoblin Fair, a Halloween children’s event, concerts, and special events for members and friends. Birthday party programs are available as well.
Soundwaters
Stamford
Soundwaters offers "education on the Sound and shore". Programs are offered on site at their center in Stamford, on the Sound on their 80' schooner, or in your classroom.
Hartford
This world-class art museum's Hudson River School landscape painting collection provides earth science (and of course history and literary) connections, and the right docent can speak to the museum's x-ray painting analyses and restoration techniques. Though requiring more collaborative planning with staff, it is worth it. Large groups should plan to split to spend time at the Connecticut Science Center and/or The Old Statehouse, both within walking distance.
White Memorial Conservation Center
Litchfield
White Memorial is the largest wildlife refuge in Connecticut. Grab a bird checklist in the Nature Museum or go to their website for a copy and hit the trails. One of the most popular trails, the Little Pond Boardwalk allows visitors to walk through a wetland environment on a 1.2 mile raised wooden walkway. Other activities at the Center include: camping, biking, horseback riding, skiing, snowshoeing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and orienteering. There is a Nature Museum, a variety of school and birthday party programs, as well as rental facilities.
New Haven
The Yale Peabody Museum, a part of the dino trail, has a number of exhibits, events and programs to offer learners of all ages. From exhibits such as the Great Hall of Dinosaurs and The Hall of Mammalian Evolution, and to their newest addition, David Friend Hall, a gorgeous gallery of minerals, the permanent collections are amazing. There are also temporary exhibits and special programs, some especially for educators, so check back often to see what's going on.
Visit their education page to find out current field trip info.