School Year Field Trips: Grades 2-12
Field trips to the Balloon Museum combine STEAM concepts and ballooning know-how in a fun, educational experience for all students. On Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the school year, your group will enjoy hands-on learning activities and a guided tour plus exploration time in our interactive Elevation Station. See below for details.
For Questions or to Schedule a Field Trip
Contact Diane Short, Educational Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, at 505-768-6032 or [email protected].
Balloon Museum Field Trips Offer
- Hands-on learning activities that highlight connections between scientific concepts and their application in the real world.
- Exhibits filled with personal stories, artifacts, and interactive technology celebrating achievements gained through innovation and determination
- Experiences that encourage students to dream big and apply what they learn to the world around them.
Planning Your Field Trip
Please reserve early. Learning Activities and Guided Tours are subject to availability and spots fill quickly during September, October, April, and May. The Balloon Museum does not accept field trips during the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Days and Times
Tuesdays & Fridays, September – May, 9:30 a.m.-noon
Beyond this window, your group is welcome to stay and explore the museum independently. Students must be actively chaperoned at all times, and visits should conclude by 1:00pm.
The museum can provide self-guided tour materials and activity sheets for independent groups on other days. We do require a reservation for groups of 10 or more.
Numbers
Maximum: 60 students (minimum adult to student ratio of 1:10)
Select a Theme: STEAM Meets Ballooning
Please look over our current offerings and select the one that fits your group’s interests. We can often adjust details of the lessons and tours to complement the subjects your classes are studying.
How Does a Balloon Fly? (Density, Mass, and Volume of Air)
Learn about the powerful lifting forces of air as you play with buoyancy.
How Do You Steer a Balloon? (Air Pressure, Wind and Weather)
Explore the concept of convection as you learn how land forms and air currents work together to shape our winds and weather. Use that knowledge to maneuver your own balloon.
Prepare for Flight! (Try your hand at Balloon Pilot skills, games, and challenges)
Jump into the fun of lighter-than-air flight with activities that introduce you to the skills, competitions, and challenges that make ballooning such an exciting sport.
Museum Guidelines
Balloon Museum Field Trip Guidelines
Chaperone Guidelines
Balloon Museum Field Trip Chaperone Guidelines
Admission Fees
- $6 – Adults
- $5 – New Mexico residents with valid ID
- $4 – Seniors (65+)
- $3 – Children (ages 6 - 17)
- Free – Children (5 and under)
- Free – Title I School Groups
Lunch Space
The museum offers a large patio and outdoor grounds for lunch. Indoor space is only available as space allows and if there is inclement weather. There is no cafeteria or snack bar to purchase food on site. We can provide carts to store coats and lunches.
Transportation
The Flying Bus Scholarship Program provides free transportation and admission for Title I Schools in the Albuquerque Metro Area. Please contact our Field Trip Coordinator, Diane Short, for eligibility and details: [email protected].
Field Trips: Preschool-1st Grade
See our Stories and Music in the Sky page for details about programming for our younger groups on Wednesday mornings, 9:30-10:30 and 11:00-12:00. Reservations are required for school groups. Please contact Anita Fernandez: [email protected]