All field trips are fully customizable to meet your students’ needs, with many more options available beyond those listed here. Contact us to design a tailored field trip experience unique to your classroom.

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PreK Field Trip Options

These programs are designed for young learners, emphasizing simple concepts, engaging visuals, and interactive storytelling to spark curiosity about the universe. Each session lasts one hour and is led by a live star instructor.
 

• Our Night Sky
  Students explore the stars visible in the night sky above Cincinnati. The live star instructor guides them through identifying constellations, bright stars, and the Moon, using the Planetarium’s dome to simulate a clear night. Interactive discussions encourage students to share what they see and ask questions, fostering a sense of wonder about the sky they can observe at home.
   

• Solar System
  This program introduces the planets in our Solar System. The live star instructor uses the Planetarium’s projection system to “fly” through space, showing the Sun, planets, and their unique features (e.g., Jupiter’s size, Saturn’s rings). Students learn basic facts about each planet through engaging visuals and age-appropriate explanations, with opportunities to ask questions.
   

• Star Tales – Myths Across the Ages
  Through storytelling and visuals, the live star instructor shares myths and legends from various cultures about constellations. Students see how ancient peoples interpreted the stars, connecting patterns in the sky to stories. The session highlights cultural diversity and encourages imagination, with the instructor pointing out constellations like the Big Dipper or Orion on the dome.
   

• Day & Night – Sun & Earth
  This program explores why we have day and night. The live star instructor demonstrates Earth’s rotation using the Planetarium’s projection system, showing how the Sun’s position changes throughout the day. Students learn about the Sun’s role in daily life and observe simulations of sunrise and sunset, with interactive questions to reinforce concepts.

Grades 1 & 2 Field Trip Options

These programs build on PreK concepts, introducing more detailed astronomical ideas and tying to Ohio Common Core standards. Sessions are one hour and led by a live star instructor unless specified as an Omnimax film.
 

• Crazy Cosmonauts – Earth, Sun, Moon
  Students join a fun, interactive journey to explore the relationships between Earth, Sun, and Moon. The live star instructor uses the Planetarium dome to show Earth’s orbit, the Moon’s phases, and how they interact to cause day, night, and lunar cycles. Engaging visuals and playful narration make complex ideas accessible, with students encouraged to ask questions.
   

• Sun, Seasons, Directions
  This program explains how the Sun’s position affects seasons and navigation. The live star instructor demonstrates Earth’s tilt and orbit around the Sun, showing how these create spring, summer, fall, and winter. Students also learn how the Sun’s path helps determine cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), with interactive simulations on the dome.
   

• Our Solar System
  Similar to the PreK version but more detailed, this program dives into the planets, moons, and other objects in our Solar System. The live star instructor guides students through a virtual tour, highlighting features like Mars’ volcanoes or Venus’ thick clouds. The session includes basic facts about gravity and orbits, with opportunities for students to engage with the instructor.
   

• A Part of the Sky Called Orion
  Focusing on the Orion constellation, the live star instructor shows students how to find Orion in the night sky and shares its cultural significance. Using the Planetarium’s dome, the instructor highlights Orion’s stars (e.g., Betelgeuse, Rigel) and the Orion Nebula, blending science with storytelling to captivate young learners.
   

• American Indian, Greek, African American Mythology
  This program explores constellation myths from American Indian, Greek, and African American cultures. The live star instructor projects key constellations on the dome, sharing their stories and cultural contexts. Students learn how different cultures saw the same stars differently, fostering appreciation for diversity and history through interactive storytelling.
   

• Seasonal Skies + Technology Unit
  This session combines astronomy with technology. The live star instructor shows seasonal changes in the night sky (e.g., which constellations are visible in fall vs. winter) and introduces how astronomers use telescopes and other tools. Students see simulations of the night sky across seasons and learn about basic space technology, with hands-on discussion encouraged.
   

• Secrets of the Cardboard Rocket
  This is an Omnimax film where students join two young adventurers on a journey through the Solar System in a “cardboard rocket.” The immersive dome screen surrounds students with vivid visuals of planets, moons, and asteroids, narrated to teach basic astronomy concepts. The film sparks imagination while reinforcing Solar System facts, with no live star instructor but engaging discussion prompts included.
   

Additional Information

• Pricing: Groups ≤25: $250 minimum for 1 hour. Groups >25: $10 per person per hour. All attendees (students, adults, educators, parents, bus drivers) require a ticket, with one free adult ticket per 25 people. Unreserved adults are not guaranteed seating.
   

• Third Parties: Third parties (e.g., charter operators) are financially responsible, with payment due two weeks in advance.
   

• Recommendations: Drake provides tailored program suggestions, Ohio Common Core correlations, educator resources, and curriculum guides. View grade-level options or reserve online.
   

• Contact: Call 513-396-5578 for questions.
   

• Venue Capacity: Planetarium: 70 seats; LEGO Lab: 40 seats (LEGO Lab programs not listed here).
   

Reserve your spot online to secure your PreK–2nd grade field trip at Drake Planetarium, where young learners explore the wonders of the universe!