School Field Trip Programs at Port Discovery

Explor-A-Tours!

There’s so much in store with a Port Discovery Explor-A-Tour! Take your students on a journey of discovery sure to spark their curiosity and creativity. Venture into the world of machines, sensory exploration, art and more. Student Learning Labs within your themed Explor-A-Tour include hands-on activities and games that complement the museum exploration experience, and best of all, our age-appropriate (preK-5th) programs are designed to align with Maryland State standards and curricula!

  • Available Wednesdays through Fridays 10am-1pm for groups of up to 125 children.
Explor-A-Tours for groups larger than 25 are currently sold out. However, Open Exploration visits for larger groups are still available! Inquire below.

 

Open Exploration Visits!

Come explore Port Discovery’s three floors of fun at your own pace with an Open Exploration visit! Open Exploration visits are ideal for groups of 100+ children. Upon your arrival you and your group will be greeted by the Port Discovery Groups Team, provided a brief orientation, maps of the museum, and cart for your group’s belongings. You will then embark on a self-guided experience where you and your students will play your way through our hands-on and engaging exhibit areas. Time for lunch will also be included in your visit schedule.

  • Available Tuesdays and select additional dates such as May 21-24, May 28-31, and June 4-7, from 10am-1pm for groups of up to 350 children.

PORT DISCOVERY FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS

Sensory Excursion | Pre-K - 2nd Grades

Would you hold a hedgehog? Would you smell a skunk? Let your senses be your guide as we use the five senses you know (plus learn a few more!) to see, smell, touch and feel your way through Port Discovery’s exhibits. Take home a copy of Port Discovery’s Sensory Card to continue sensory exploration at home.

PORT DISCOVERY FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS

Force and Motion Commotion | K - 1st Grades

Up and down; stop and start; push and pull! Play your way through the museum as we test the force and motions used to power Port Discovery. Take home your certificate proclaiming you a Port Discovery Museum Movement Expert.

PORT DISCOVERY FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS

Looking for Shapes | K - 2nd Grades

Shapes, shapes, everywhere! Triangle, rectangle, circle, square, plus so many more out there! Everything we interact with everyday has a shape. Explore Port Discovery from top to bottom using your best identification and classification skills on a shape hunt to find shapes big and small, hidden throughout the museum walls. Take home a copy of Port Discovery’s Shape Scavenger Hunt to continue looking for shapes at home.

PORT DISCOVERY FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS

Let Water WOW You! | Pre-K - 5th Grades

Think outside the box while we discover not just how water provides for us in our daily lives but creates jobs, civilizations and even ecosystems. Have fun while playing with water in new ways and take home a Port Discovery water masterpiece.

PORT DISCOVERY FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS

Mighty Machines | 3rd - 5th Grades

Search high and low, over more than 3 floors to find all the simple machines and even complex machines that power Port Discovery. Then, are you up to the challenge to recreate your favorite exhibit or create your very own? Take home your certificate of Mighty Machine Mastery.

MAKE A RESERVATION

Contact Us

Fill out the information request form to receive more information and to begin the process of scheduling your school group visit! Organizations are encouraged to book their trip to Port Discovery at least four weeks in advance. Please call to inquire about any potential last-minute dates that may be available.

Group bookings are only available for groups with 15 or more children. Any less than 15 children is considered general admission. General admission tickets can be purchased here.

Reservations are required. Fill out the information request form or contact us for more information at 410.864.2727 or groupsales@portdiscovery.org.

Explor-A-Tours for groups larger than 25 are currently sold out. However, Open Exploration visits for larger groups are still available! Inquire below or contact Group Sales.

PRICES & INFORMATION

In-Person Field Trips

General Admission tickets are $23.95 per person, but group visits are eligible for these special discounted rates.

1 adult chaperone for every 6 children is FREE. Please note, teachers are counted as chaperones.

Tier 1 | Maryland Title 1 Schools

Maryland Title 1 schools are eligible to purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $10 per child. Port Discovery may be able to offer additional discounts, courtesy of a grant received from the Maryland Department of Education. Grant-funded discounts are offered until they are depleted, so contact us via the form for more information.

  • Please note, these tickets must be reserved a minimum of 4 weeks in advance of your visit date. 
Tier 2 | Maryland Non-Title 1 Schools

Maryland Non-Title 1 schools are eligible to purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $15 per child. 

  • Please note, these tickets must be reserved a minimum of 4 weeks in advance of your visit date. 
Tier 3 | Non-Maryland Schools

Non-Maryland schools and schools looking to book less than 4 weeks in advance of your visit date are eligible to purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $18 per child.

Payments
  • non-refundable deposit of 25% of the visit total is due at the time of booking.
  • The balance is due no later than 2 weeks prior to your visit date.
  • Acceptable forms of payment are credit/debit cards, organizational (not personal) checks, school district purchase orders, and cash.
  • Failure to make payments may result in visit cancellation.
Rescheduling & Cancellation Policy
  • Rescheduling: Requests for rescheduling are not guaranteed and are subject to availability. Reschedule may incur additional fees.
  • Cancellation: Cancellation will result in a forfeiture of deposit and may incur additional fees.
Accessibility & Inclusion

Port Discovery is committed to welcoming all guests to experience Port Discovery and provides a variety of accommodations for visitors with disabilities! Port Discovery is Kulture City certified and we are happy to arrange additional accommodations for visitors. To discuss and arrange accommodations, please contact us at 410-864-2727 or email groupsales@portdiscovery.org. Port Discovery is ADA accessible.

 

FIELD TRIP FAQS

Port Discovery Children’s Museum student visits, exhibits, and programs are supported in part by the following partners.

Maryland Department of Education Logo