Trips to Whitaker Center

We've got field trips down to a science.

For one event field trip, schools have the option of visiting the Harsco Science Center,  Select Medical Digital Cinema to view a documentary, or the PNC Innovation Zone to learn about coding. 

Students can explore the Science Center and visit all of the hands-on science exhibits.

• New this year! Students may take part in a Guided STEM lesson in our STEM Design Studios

  - Students can now take part in a guided STEM lesson in our STEM Design Studios with one of our educators during your field trip to the science center.  Adults and their students will meet a STEM Educator at the classroom doors and be introduced to the day’s inquiry-based challenge.  The small group will have time to design, test, and refine their projects to fulfill the posed requirements.  These engaging activities will allow students to explore important problem-solving strategies while gaining an appreciation and love of STEM activities.  The lesson is between 40-45 minutes and is for a maximum of 30 students at a time.  This STEM lesson is included in the price of your science center visit and does not require an additional purchased ticket, but it is by reservation only and is on a first come, first serve basis.  

If taking part in seeing a documentary, your class will experience an educational film in a completely immersive, large-format movie theater. You will have the choice of one of the following 40-45 minute documentaries.  Documentary options are as follows (all in 3D unless otherwise listed):

• Dream Big                                            
• Expedition Chesapeake 2D
• Flight of the Butterflies 
• Forces of Nature 2D
• Grand Canyon Adventure  
• Great Bear Rainforest 
• Great Barrier Reef 
• Into America's Wild 
• Journey to Space 
• Lewis and Clark 2D
• National Parks Adventure 
• Tiny Giants 
• Tornado Alley 

If you choose to visit our new PNC Innovation Zone, groups of 12 students will spend 40-45 minutes with their chaperones and a Whitaker Center instructor learning about coding.  Topics for the experience include the following: 

• Coding with Minecraft - students will use their knowledge and experience with Minecraft to dive deeper with Code Builder to solf problems within Minecraft for Education
• Intro to Coding - students will explor various themed lessons that apply Block Coding within lessons from Code.org

Groups have the option to book a 2 event package of any of the available options or a 3 event package during their experience at Whitaker Center.  Please note that adding the PNC Innovation Zone as an option to your experience is based on a first come, first serve basis and dependent on your total field trip size as the experience is limited to 12 students at a time.   

Complete the Field Trip to Whitaker Center RSVP Form to book your trip!

Field Trips include the Science Center, a Documentary, our Innovation Zone, or a mix of All!

Adult Policy:  Groups will receive (1) complimentary chaperone admission with every 10 tickets purchased.  To qualify for complimentary chaperone admission, a minimum of ten (10) admission tickets must be purchased.  Each additional adult beyond this ratio will be $10.  This policy will apply to regular and STEM Scholarship pricing. 

Lunch Policy: Groups are encouraged to eat their lunch in Strawberry Square where there are tables and chairs set up for lunch.  If you choose to each lunch at Whitaker Center, there is an additional $2 charge per person.

Please reach out to education@whitakercenter.org with any questions or help filling out your RSVP form.