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Did you know?
ScienceWorks offers a field trip experience for school groups like no other in southern Oregon. The School Visit Program is designed to spark student interest in science, support instruction of content and process standards, and provide a fun, multi-sensory environment that encourages discussion and collaborative learning. Teachers select from available labs and shows to design a visit perfect for their students and curriculum needs. During the school year, teachers may bring their students to our facility, located in Ashland, Oregon, to explore state-of-the-art hands-on exhibits representing a variety of scientific phenomena. ScienceWorks staff members and trained volunteers guide students through a program that includes labs, demonstrations and team investigations. Over 26,000 students and their teachers have now experienced the ScienceWorks School Visit Program, and we look forward to another successful season of enthusiastic learning and fun. We hope to see your class here soon!
What Will the Visit Be Like?
School programs are offered Tuesdays through Fridays for the 2007 - 2008 school year. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays we will offer two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. On Fridays, only the morning session will be offered. Each session can accommodate two classes of up to 35 students (70 total). The sessions are 2 ½ hours, with the morning session running from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and the afternoon session running from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A typical session will include the following components:
- Orientation - A brief meeting is held to go over schedules, procedures and expectations.
- Exploration - Students and chaperones have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the museum and explore the many exhibits at their own pace.
- Team Investigations - Small groups of students rotate through specific exhibits where they conduct investigations, make observations, formulate questions, collect data, and so forth.
- Discovery Lab - Students get a chance to develop their inquiry skills through laboratory investigations in such areas as chemical reactions, electrical circuits and Newton's laws of motion. (Typically, half of the group is in the Discovery lab while the other half is conducting the Team Investigations to ensure no more than 35 students in the lab.)
- Science Live! - ScienceWorks staff present a highly educational and entertaining demonstration in our theater.
How do I Sign Up?
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. The sign up procedure is a two-step process: finding an open slot on the calendar AND filling out a registration form. Until you receive a confirmation, you are not guaranteed a spot.
1. CLICK ON THE DISCOVERY LAB AND SCIENCELIVE LINKS AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE to identify the lab and show that work best for your students. Please note that this year there is only ONE show option.
2. CLICK BELOW TO ENTER REGISTRATION PROCESS. This will first lead you to the school program calendar. Check available dates. (Any session with 36 students is considered full and you should select an alternate date.) To reserve a date, click on the plus sign (+) in the top right hand corner of the date. Once you have reserved a date on the calendar you MUST fill out the Registration Form to complete the process. Your spot is not guaranteed until you receive your final e-mail confirmation.
The school calendar requires a username and password to login. Both are located at the top of the calendar page and below.
Username: teachers
Password: (embedded in verification graphic below)
3. FILL OUT REGISTRATION FORM. This will be submitted online and you will receive a confirmation by e-mail or phone.
Program Cost
The cost per student is $5.00. Family memberships do not apply to school programs. All chaperones and teachers are free. Payment in full for school group visits is required the day of your visit. If you need to cancel your trip, please contact us at least two weeks in advance. If a cancellation is made less than two weeks in advance and we are unable to fill your spot, you will still be charged. *Some assistance available. Please call for more information.
Large Groups
Group sizes exceeding 70 students can be accommodated during any session. We will accept groups of up to 120 students from a single school during this time with some modifications to the schedule. Large group visits last two hours and will not include a Discovery Lab experience.
Small Groups
We require a minimum of 20 students when participating in the School Visit Program. If your group is under 20, you may still participate for a flat rate of $100. Small groups of 10 or more may also be interested in visiting the museum under our Group Rate policy. Please note that booking a "group visit" does not include the special programming provided in the School Visit Program.
Chaperone Policy
We require one chaperone for every five students. Chaperones should be prepared to be active participants during all activities, especially during the Team Investigations and Discovery Lab experiences. Extra chaperones are welcome! If there are more than two chaperones for every five students, a discounted admission rate of $5/person will be charged (each sibling over two years-old will be charged an additional $4).
ScienceWorks Transportation Policy for Oregon Public Schools
Oregon Public Schools scheduling field trips to ScienceWorks are eligible to receive 70% of bus transportation costs from the State of Oregon. With the help of a grant from the West Family Foundation, ScienceWorks is able to reimburse the remaining 30% for Jackson, Josephine and Klamath County public schools, making the transportation cost to school districts essentially free.
Transportation costs must be billed to ScienceWorks within 60 days of the school visit. A copy of the bus transportation invoice must be included. If you have any questions, please contact the School Visit Program administrator at 541.482.6767 ext. 26 or by email
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Media Release
From time to time, ScienceWorks may photgraph and/or videotape children involved in the School Visit Program for publicity purposes (news media and photos on our website). ScienceWorks will not release any personal information regarding the child. These materials will be the property of ScienceWorks, not to be sold or loaned, and will be used only to promote ScienceWorks education programs.
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School Visit/Education 
