Inspire Curiosity Beyond the Classroom
School field trips to Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion engage students of all ages with interactive learning opportunities, including:
- Hands-on Workshops
- Animal Encounters
- Science Shows
- Career Connection Days
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District-wide savings on field trips, traveling science programs, professional development, and more!
School Field Trip Pricing
Ticket Type | Sept. 2024-June 13, 2025 |
---|---|
School Group Admission1 | $13.00 |
School Group Admission + Traveling Exhibit Admission2 | $18.00 |
1) Valid Mondays-Fridays (excludes weekends, school holidays, and summer dates)
2) Dinos Alive is presented May-Sept. 8, 2024. Sharks is presented Oct. 12, 2024-March 2, 2025
School Field Trip Add-on Pricing
Add-on | Price per student | Availability |
---|---|---|
Hands-on Workshops | $3.50 | Tues.-Fri., select Mon., Sept.-March |
Animal Encounters | $3.50 | Every other Tues. & Thurs., Oct.-March |
Science Shows | $2.50 | Tues.-Fri., select Mon., Sept.-June 13 |
Hands-on Workshops
Offered Tuesdays-Fridays and select Mondays from Sept. through March
Elevate your students’ field trip experience with hands-on workshops, where they’ll explore critical STEAM principles and apply them in real-world scenarios, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
Critter Coders
20 mins.
Through hands-on activities and interactive play, young learners explore the basics of coding and robotics with the help of some adorable robotic animal friends.
KEVA Cantilevers
20 mins.
Students put their engineering minds to the test by building impressive structures using wooden KEVA planks. Get ready to discover principles of engineering and architecture.
Shock & Awesome
20 mins.
Students dive into the electrifying world of circuits through hands-on experiments and engaging challenges. Get ready to illuminate the wonders of electricity.
Animal Encounters
Offered on select Tuesdays & Thursdays, Oct. through March
For Grades K-12
15 mins.
Meet the animal ambassadors of the Da Vinci Science Center! During this interactive presentation, students will have the unique opportunity to meet one of our education animals up close and learn about their habitats, behaviors, and the importance of conservation.
This interaction is more than just an animal encounter—it’s an educational experience that fosters empathy, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
*Please note: Due to our animal protocols and the well-being of our furry, feathered, and scaled friends, we cannot promise an interaction with any one specific education animal.
Science Shows
For Grades K-12, offered Tuesday-Friday and select Mondays
Chem Chaos
20 mins.
What do changing colors, fizzing bubbles, and fire all have in common? Students find out as they observe eye-catching experiments performed by trained educators that showcase the fascinating transformations that occur when different substances come together. Students learn the scientific principles behind each experiment in a way that’s easy to understand and captivating for young minds.
SuperCOOLness
20 mins.
Join us for the COOLest show around as students explore one of the coldest substances in the known universe- liquid nitrogen! Educators challenge the audience to make observations and think like scientists as they watch experiments unfold. Students will “ooo” and “aahh” when they find the answers behind the different aspects of liquid nitrogen’s amazing capabilities.
Use the Force
20 mins.
Prepare to be amazed as we unlock the mysteries of motion and unleash the power of scientific discovery. Watch as Newton’s three laws of motion are brought to life through a series of captivating demonstrations and interactive experiments. Students become a part of the show as they uncover the secrets behind acceleration, friction, and momentum, gaining a deeper understanding of the forces that shape our everyday lives.
Career Connection Days
Special field trip days centered around STEAM careers
Students in middle school and up explore a variety of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) related careers and businesses that exist in the region, meet and talk with STEAM professionals, and discover pathways to developing STEAM skills and experiences.
Special Workshop Offerings for Career Connection Days coming soon!
Women in Science & Engineering
Gain valuable insights, inspiration, and practical advice from real women who are making an impact in science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Technology & Engineering
Explore future technology & engineering career paths and learn about the opportunities available from real professionals in these fields.
Healthcare
Discover the vast opportunities in healthcare fields, well beyond being a doctor or a nurse. Meet real professionals in a variety of different healthcare-related roles.
Chaperone Policy
- 1 free adult for every 10 kids
- Any chaperones not included in the group reservation must either pay regular general admission rates at the front desk or pre-purchase tickets in advance online
- Any required 1:1 paraprofessionals receive free admission
Teacher-Chaperone Responsibilities
Thank you for making this field trip a success. Please review the following guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
- Supervision: Always keep students within sight, adhere to the buddy system, and remember chaperones are responsible for their students at all times.
- Safety Rules: Maintain a safe environment by counting students when entering and exiting exhibit areas, keeping emergency contact information for each student, and staying organized.
- Schedule: Ensure that your group is punctual for lunch, activities (when applicable), and departure.
- Engagement: Encourage active participation and questions to enhance learning
- Behavior: Manage student behavior as you are responsible while they are in your care. Ensure no running, no food or drinks are on the exhibition floor, and maintain respect for exhibits, staff, and other visitors.
Lunch Options
We offer a free 25-minute reservation in our seating area for your group to enjoy one of these lunch options.
Bring your own lunch
- Bring your own packed lunches, which we’ll store for you until your scheduled lunch period. All lunches must be in a disposable bag/container and either disposed of after your lunch period or carried with you for the remainder of your trip.
Aramark Lunches
Aramark offers delicious and convenient individual boxed lunches and group pizza lunches for groups visiting Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion. If you select Aramark lunches during your booking request, an order form including a full menu and ingredients list will be sent to you by our reservations staff.
- Individual Boxed Lunches
$15/meal: includes an apple, Lays potato chips, chocolate chip cookie, and choice of one (1) bottled water or one (1) juice box- Roasted Turkey Sandwich on White; Roasted Turkey Sandwich on Wheat; Country Ham Sandwich on White; Country Ham Sandwich on Wheat; Veggie Wheat Wrap
- Group Pizza Lunches
$15/pie (8 slices); $1/bottled water; $1.25 juice box- Plain Cheese Pizza; Beef Pepperoni Pizza; bottled waters; assorted juice boxes
Allergy Issues: While Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion is not an allergy-free space, we will make every effort to accommodate your special need if you notify us in advance.
Gift Shop
- If you would like to visit the gift shop, please let our staff know at the time of setting up your reservation.
- Your group may visit the gift shop on your own during your scheduled trip time while on the exhibit floor.
- All store purchases must be carried with you for the remainder of your trip.
Parking
By Bus:
- Buses may drop off students at the Groups & Reserved Program Entrance located on West Court Street, between 8th & 9th Street. This is a one-way street.
- The bus lane is for drop off and pick up only. There is no on-site bus parking available at the downtown Allentown location, but group visits between May-August 2024 may utilize off-site bus parking at 3145 Hamilton Blvd. Bypass after drop-off and before returning for pick-up.
- Buses may return 10 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time for pick up at the same location.
By Car:
- There are several public parking garages within 2-3 blocks of the science center, including the following:
- The Spiral Deck (645 spaces) is located directly behind the science center at 836 Linden St. The walk from there to our main entrance is one block.
- The Maple Street Parking Deck (1,100 spaces) is located at 920 West Maple St. and offers a 2 to 3 block walk to our main entrance.
Click here for a look at all the parking in the area.
- If your entire group is arriving by individual cars, enter through the main entrance of the Science Center (on Hamilton St.) and gather with your group leader to check-in.
- If only a few chaperones are arriving by individual cars (and the rest of the group is arriving by bus), enter through the main entrance to purchase tickets and/or wait for group arrival. Group leaders should have contact information (i.e. cell phone numbers) for adult chaperones to notify them when they arrive and where to meet them on the exhibit floor after checking in.
Rescheduling and Cancellation
Please call us immediately if you need to reschedule or cancel your group visit.
Rescheduling Information:
- 15+ days prior: we offer one (1) free date change. Additional changes may result in a $25 processing fee.
- 0-14 Days Prior: A $25 processing fee may be applied.
Cancellation Information:
- 15+ days prior: Full refund, minus $100 non-refundable deposit.
- 0-14 days prior: No refund, or reschedule to a new trip date within one (1) year.
Inclement Weather:
- Our Reservations staff will keep an eye on the weather weekly during months with inclement weather.
- Groups will be notified via email 1-2 days prior to the trip date, in the event of potential inclement weather for your scheduled trip date with instructions to follow.
- If your group gets notice of a delayed opening or closure that would prevent your group from attending your scheduled trip date due to inclement weather, please contact groups@davincisciencecenter.org as soon as possible so we can notify our staff. We will then look to reschedule you to a new date, at no additional cost. If rescheduling is not possible, we will issue a full refund.
Changes in Attendance
- If your group size changes after you make your reservation, please notify us as soon as possible, but no later than 5 p.m. two (2) weeks prior to the trip date.
- Any additions to your group attendance are subject to availability and are not guaranteed access to programs.
- Any additions to your group attendance after final payment is due are required to be paid via credit card over the phone in advance of your trip date.
- No refunds will be given for lower attendance adjustments or unused group tickets within two (2) weeks of your trip date.
- You must have or pay for a minimum of 15 paid tickets to constitute a reserved group visit.
Payment Policy
- A $100 non-refundable deposit is required upon confirmation of your reservation.
- The deposit must be received within 30 days of receipt but no later than three (3) weeks prior to the trip date.
- Purchase orders are accepted in advance only and will not be accepted on the day of your visit.
- Final payment is required no later than two (2) weeks prior to the trip date. Payments will no longer be accepted the day of the trip.
- Payments must be made in a single transaction. Group participants may not pay separately.
Accessibility
- Please let us know if your group has any special needs when you make your reservation and we will make every effort to accommodate you.
Membership Policy
- Da Vinci Science Center memberships are not valid for free group admission. Children and adults must pay the group rate.
Aramark Lunch FAQs
Savings and Scholarships
Learn how to save on your group visit or apply for a scholarship.