All Field Trips are free!
To reserve a school program, complete the Program Request Form available or call 314-301-1500 to request a copy of the form.
Follow these steps to enter the school program lottery.
Pre K–2nd grade single and double programs are 1 ½ hours and include indoor and outdoor components. We recommend one adult chaperone per four students.
3rd–12th grade single and double programs are 2 hours and include both indoor and outdoor components. We recommend one adult chaperone per six students (3rd–5th grade) or eight students (6th–12th grade).
A self-led interpretive guide is also available if a naturalist-led program is not possible. This guide is designed to enhance an on-your-own field trip; Guide is sent upon request. Please send request to ProgramRequests@mdc.mo.gov
Please Note:
School programs require a minimum of 10 students.
Single and double group options do not include time for exploring the exhibits. If you wish to explore the exhibits, please allow extra time after your program.
Pre K–K: 21–40 students;
1st–12th: 26–50 students.
Minimum time scheduled:
1½ hours– PreK-2nd
2 hours– 3rd-12th
Pre K–K: 41–60 students;
1st–12th: 51–75 students.
*Minimum time scheduled:
2½ hours or 3 hours with lunch break
Includes one self-guided rotation
Pre K–K: 61–80 students;
1st–12th: 76–100 students.
*Minimum time scheduled:
3 hours or 3½ hours with lunch break
Includes two self-guided rotations
*A rotational schedule of activities will be sent a month in advance for Triple and Quad Groups.
How do amphibians grow? How are they different from other animals? Discover the answers to these questions through mimicry and live animals.
Did that critter have six legs or eight? Was it a spider or an insect? Catch and observe all kinds of insects living right under your nose.
Flowers can’t walk, swim, or fly, so how do they spread to different places? Learn about pollination, seed dispersal, parts of flowers, and types of seeds through games and hands-on exploration. Outside, we will see what is happening in the garden and try to observe some pollinators in action.
(Recommended for Grades 1 and 2)
How do life cycles differ within the animal world? Explore metamorphosis and growth through the fascinating lives of insects, amphibians, and birds. Outdoors, search for animals in different life stages.
Nature weaves an intricate web, and every species is accounted for, from the smallest microbe to the largest predator. Become familiar with consumers, producers, and decomposers as you classify organisms by their roles in the food chain. As part of the program, you will be able to put your new food web knowledge to use when you dissect an owl pellet in the classroom.
Explore the characteristics of birds through hands-on activites and mimicry. Go on a bird hike and make a pair of binoculars to take home.
Take a close look at animal movement and behavior. Learn how animals use different parts of their bodies to function and survive in the wild. Dramatic play, live animals, and a hike will be a part of this “moving” experience!
Want to learn what animals feel like and how their outer layers keep them protected? We’ve got you covered! Warm up to the world of animal coverings and the special adaptations that help them survive in their environments.
Walk in the tracks of a rabbit and burrow like a mole! Become a different mammal by observing and behaving like several Missouri mammals. Explore mammal traits and hike to find some furry residents of Powder Valley.
A habitat provides food, water, shelter, and space for the animals living there. It sounds nice and easy, but life in the wild is tough. Learn how animals use their diverse adaptations to survive in their habitats. Be prepared to explore the habitats of Powder Valley.
The following programs are for Single and Double groups only:
Seasonal changes affect the behavior of plants and animals. Winter is one of the most stressful times of the year for most organisms. Students will participate in activities to learn how different species use Migration, Adaptation, Dormancy, or other strategies to survive during these seasonal changes.
Art, science, and language arts all come together in this study of the natural world. Students will learn to use poetry, writing, map-making, and sketching to record the observations they make as they sit quietly in the forest. Tools and a take-home journal will be provided.
Become an endangered species from Missouri and learn about the hardships you must go through to survive every day. This program turns Powder Valley into a giant game board as you move from station to station. Learn about the needs of your species: Food, habitat, water, and learn about threats from humans in this interactive program.
A conservation crime has been committed! Uncover the mystery by engaging in scientific investigations to determine what really happened. Discover how conservation agents and biologists use evidence to solve crimes against nature with hands-on investigations and lab tests.