Bring your classroom to Hastings Museum for engaging, hands-on learning experiences designed for PreK–6 students. Our educational programs connect classroom concepts to real-world exploration through science, natural history, cultural history, and interactive discovery.
Teachers can customize their visit by choosing from a variety of experiences, including interactive educational programs, planetarium shows, films, Museum exploration, and hands-on learning in our Outdoor Classroom. These options allow educators to create a field trip that supports their curriculum and meets the interests of their students.
All educational programs align with Nebraska State Standards and are led by Museum educators. With advance notice, programs can be adapted to support your classroom goals, grade level, and schedule, helping make each visit a meaningful learning experience. Learn more and view example schedules below!
Planning Your Visit
When planning your field trip, consider your group size, grade level, learning objectives, and the amount of time you have available. Most school visits include a combination of educational programs and Museum experiences.
Outdoor Classroom: Interactive learning experiences that connect students with the natural world through exploration and discovery. This space is weather-dependent.
Theatre: Large-format 2D and 3D films that bring science, history, and the natural world to life. We feature occasional Hollywood film screenings throughout the year.
Educational Programs: Hands-on lessons taught in our indoor classrooms or spaces that explore science, history, and nature.
Museum Exploration: Opportunities for students to explore Museum exhibits and engage with collections and displays.
Planetarium: Immersive astronomy experiences that take students on a journey through space.
Don’t see something you’re looking for? Let us know! Our Education Department can help customize an in-person field trip to meet your classroom’s needs and create an experience that works best for your group.
Booking Your Trip
To begin planning your visit, review the pricing information and explore the available program, film, and planetarium show descriptions below. Once you have selected the experiences that best fit your classroom needs, complete the online Program Request Form to request your field trip date.
Your visit is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email from Hastings Museum staff with your scheduled programs. Spring field trip dates, especially in April and May, are very popular and fill quickly, so we encourage you to book as early as possible to secure your preferred date.
Please bring a copy of your school’s tax-exempt number with you on the day of your visit. If you have questions or need assistance while planning your trip, please contact us at 402-461-2399 and ask for our Curator of Education, Russanne Hoff.
In-Person Field Trip Pricing: (Hastings Schools & Adams Central)
| Museum Admission | 2D Large Format Films | 3D Large Format Films | 2D Hollywood Movie | 3D Hollywood Movie | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students | $2 | $5 | $7 | $3.50 | $5.50 |
| School Staff | Free | $5 | $7 | $3.50 | $5.50 |
| Adult Chaperones | $5 | $5 | $7 | $5 | $7 |
In-Person Field Trip Pricing: (All Other Schools)
| Museum Admission | 2D Large Format Films | 3D Large Format Films | 2D Hollywood Movie | 3D Hollywood Movie | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students | $5 | $5 | $7 | $3.50 | $5.50 |
| School Staff | Free | $5 | $7 | $3.50 | $5.50 |
| Adult Chaperones | $5 | $5 | $7 | $5 | $7 |
Museum Admission includes free exploration and all in-person school programs, planetarium shows, and solar observing.
Receive a $0.50 discount per person on all 3D films when your group brings its own 3D glasses. If you plan to use your own glasses, please let our staff know when you submit your booking request so we can provide the correct invoice amount.
Important Visit Information
- The maximum group size is 30 people per program, including students and adults.
- If your group arrives 15 minutes late or more, your first scheduled program may be canceled.
- Please contact us in advance if you have special requests or need accommodations for your group.
Explore the options above to find the programs and experiences that best fit your classroom needs.
Arrival and Parking
School buses should unload in the circle drive around the flagpole at the south end of the Museum. Free bus parking is available in the east parking lot. Please plan to arrive early to allow time for check-in. When you arrive, one teacher should check in the entire group at the front desk with updated attendance numbers and payment information.
Groups arriving 15 minutes late or more may have their first scheduled program canceled.
Lunch and Break Areas
A park located behind the Museum offers a covered picnic shelter with tables and play equipment, providing a great space for students to eat lunch and take a break when weather permits. Several restaurants are also located within walking distance of the Museum as well.
During your visit, your school group will have a cart available in the lower-level lobby to store coats, lunches, and personal items. Food is only permitted in the designated lower-level lobby area or outside at the picnic shelter and is not allowed throughout the rest of the Museum.
Note: We do not have a formal indoor lunchroom or designated eating space. In the event of inclement weather, groups may eat picnic-style on the floor of the lower-level lobby near their carts.
Group Size Guidelines
- Minimum students per class: 5
- Maximum students per class: 25
- Maximum group size per program: 30 people (including students and adults)
Groups larger than 30 people will be divided into smaller groups for educational programs. We recommend a 1 adult to 5 students ratio to help ensure a successful and enjoyable visit, although this is not required.
The planetarium seats up to 48 people, while the theatre can accommodate up to 204 guests. Multiple school groups interested in the same film may be scheduled in the theatre at the same time. Larger groups visiting the planetarium may be divided into rotating schedules to accommodate space limitations.
Example Schedules
We will create a schedule for your group based on the experiences you select, the length of your visit, and other school groups scheduled on the same day. The sample schedules below provide examples of how a four-hour visit for one classroom may be structured.
If you are bringing an entire grade level, we can help create a rotation schedule that allows each classroom to participate in similar experiences throughout the day.
School educational programs are approximately 45 minutes long; however, we plan for each program to take about 60 minutes of your visit to allow time for transitions. Planetarium shows are approximately 30 minutes long.
Larger groups may be divided into rotating sections (A, B, and C) to accommodate the planetarium’s 48-person seating limitation. Each group will experience the same activities and programs, but at different times throughout the visit.
Sample Schedule #1
10 am: School Program #1
11 am: Planetarium Show
11:30 am: Lunch
12 pm: 2D Large Format Film
1 pm: School Program #2
| In-Town Per Student | Out of Town Per Student |
|---|---|
| $7 | $10 |
Sample Schedule #2
10 am: Planetarium Show
10:30 am: Self-Guided Tour
11 am: Lunch
11:30 am: Self-Guided Tour
12 pm: School Program
1 pm: 3D Large Format Film
| In-Town Per Student | Out of Town Per Student |
|---|---|
| $9 | $12 |
Sample Schedule #3
10 am: School Program #1
11 am: Planetarium Show
11:30 am: Self-Guided Tour
12 pm: Lunch
12:30 pm: Self-Guided Tour
1 pm: School Program #2
| In-Town Per Student | Out of Town Per Student |
|---|---|
| $7 | $10 |
Sample Schedule #4
10 am: School Program
11 am: Planetarium Show #1
11:30 am: Self-Guided Tour
12 pm: Lunch
12:30 pm: Self-Guided Tour
1 pm: Planetarium Show #2
1:30 pm: Self-Guided Tour
| In-Town Per Student | Out of Town Per Student |
|---|---|
| $2 | $5 |