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Field Trip FAQ

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  1. Where is the restroom?
  2. Where are the demonstrations located?
  3. What is the most exciting exhibit?
  4. Do we sell materials for a science project?
    Example: when a parent wants to replicate an exhibit.
  5. Are those rockets (in Rocket Park) real?
  6. What is that blue, strangely-shaped structure outside? What's inside? Can we go in?
  7. How do you get to the Science Playground?
  8. Do you have a place for younger kids? Where? (Preschool area)
  9. Where will my workshop be conducted?
  10. What time is my workshop?
  11. Why should I bring my class to the New York Hall of Science?
  12. Is NYSCI easy to get to?
  13. What if I am new to teaching science?
  14. How can the Educator Guides help me?
  15. Are there ways I can integrate other curricula?
  16. What about ESL and special needs students?
  17. I teach young students, is there content suitable for grades K-3?
  18. Should I worry about student behavior in this setting?

 

  1. Where is the restroom?
    Restrooms are located on all three levels of NYSCI. Consult a floor map when you arrive.
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  2. Where are the demonstrations located?
    Demonstrations are located all over NYSCI. Generally the location of the demonstration matches the theme of the surrounding exhibits. Please consult exhibit floor maps to get an idea of the different demonstration tables.
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  3. What is the most exciting exhibit?
    We consider all of our exhibits exciting. It is up to you to decide which exhibits are appropriate and engaging for your school group. Consult our exhibition descriptions area for detailed information on the exhibits.
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  4. Do we sell materials for a science project?
    We don't sell materials, but we do have an excellent gift shop where you can find many handy tools for science teaching in your classroom.
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  5. Are those rockets (in Rocket Park) real?
    In Rocket Park, you will find the Atlas and Titan rockets. The Atlas rocket is original and with a replica Mercury capsule. The original capsule is showcased in the Central Pavilion section. The Titan rocket is original, but the Gemini capsule is a fiberglass replica of the original space module.
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  6. What is that strange, blue structure outside? What's inside it? Can we go in?
    That structure is the Great Hall and is the original part of the building from the 1964 World's Fair. Currently the Great Hall is undergoing repairs on the interior and exterior and is closed.
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  7. How do you get to the Science Playground?
    The Science Playground entrance is located on the Upper Level in the Central Pavilion. There is an extra fee of $3 per child for the Science Playground. Your group will be asked to gather at the entrance of the Science Playground where you will receive a short orientation.
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  8. Do you have a place for younger kids?
    Yes, we have an exhibit area called Preschool Place Studio that can be reserved for an extra fee. When your group enters the Preschool Place Studio, they will participate in a 20-minute guided activity and then have time for free exploration. Additionally, the Science Technology Library offers workshops for young students.
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  9. Where will my workshop be conducted?
    Your workshop will be held in one of our many labs and classrooms. You will be informed of that location when you check in your group.
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  10. What time is my workshop?
    To find the time of your workshop, please consult your confirmation letter which states all of the scheduled events for your group for the day. If you can't find the confirmation letter, please call our Reservations Office at 718-699-0301 and we will send another copy to you.
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  11. Why should I bring my class to the New York Hall of Science?
    The New York Hall of Science is a laboratory for your science classes. As your students play and explore, they will be introduced to new phenomena and ideas while experiencing familiar concepts in brand new ways. Their hands-on interaction with exhibits such as the Giant Lever in our Science Playground and the video camera-enhanced Ant Colony in our Connections: The Nature of Networks exhibition will help them build a richer understanding of science and math concepts they have already been exposed to in the classroom.
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  12. Is the New York Hall of Science easy to get to?
    Yes. The New York Hall of Science is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park at the former 1964 New York World's Fair site, a location designed by urban planners to be easily accessible by a number of major roadways AND by public transportation. View Directions and Maps.
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  13. What if I am new to teaching science?
    A field trip to the New York Hall of Science will actually make teaching math and science easier for you. If you consider the exhibits at NYSCI as lab equipment, then principles of science that you may be struggling with in class may become easier to demonstrate using our various exhibits.
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  14. How can the Educator Guides help me?
    The Educator Guides provide activities and structure to help you integrate your trip to the New York Hall of Science with a classroom-based learning unit that is linked to your curriculum and established standards. Research proves that teachers can maximize the learning potential of a field trip by treating it as a part of an investigation that begins in the classroom, continues hands-on at NYSCI, and then finishes back in the classroom, rather than treating a field trip as an isolated event. Read more about the Educator Guides.
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  15. Are there ways I can integrate other curriculum?
    Science is a great subject for multi-disciplinary curriculum design. The exhibits at the New York Hall of Science are particularly well-suited for correlation to mathematics, history, arts and language arts. The activities described in the Educator Guides will help you with curriculum integration. In addition, visit the Science Technology Library, which is full of helpful books, curriculum guides and people who can assist you with designing a plan.
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  16. What about English as a Second Language and special needs students?
    Inquiry-based, hands-on science experiences are especially effective for teaching science to ESL and special needs students. The exhibits at the New York Hall of Science provide a number of different entry points for the students to engage with the science concepts that are being demonstrated, and allow the students to develop a deep understanding of these concepts through their exploration of the exhibits.
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  17. I teach young students. Is there content suitable for grades K–3?
    Yes, the New York Hall of Science offers plenty of age-appropriate, hands-on exhibits for younger students. We even reserve certain weekdays exclusively for visits by K–3rd grade classes. View and download our grade-specific Educator Guides to view a list of exhibitions recommended for your young learners. The Educator Guides also provide learning continuum activities that link exhibition content to your grade level curriculum and offer additional connections to literacy and math.
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  18. Should I worry about student behavior in this setting?
    No. Given the opportunity to experience science hands-on and with the correct number of chaperones, even students with discipline issues prosper and can become engaged in this environment. Read what one teacher has to say:

    “Students who attend the New York Hall of Science are so focused and engaged with the many interactive activities that they do not have the time, or the motivation, to behave in an inappropriate manner. Students who are excited and interested in what they are learning tend to remain on task and focus on learning rather than misbehaving.”
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