STEM Experiences for a Student Trip to New York City

All school trips are incredible opportunities for students to grow and learn new things about the world around them. If you want your students to experience new cultures, New York City is a perfect fit.

Class trips to New York are some of the best opportunities to bring math, science, and engineering to life outside the classroom. A city of skyscrapers, New York is a showcase for unparalleled architecture, design, and technology innovation. Here are six museums in New York City to add to your next STEM school trip itinerary.

1) The Intrepid Museum

After the experienced USS Intrepid was decommissioned, it became the centerpiece of New York City’s Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex. The Intrepid Museum offers a behind-the-scenes look into what life was like living and working aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid. The museum also showcases the Space Shuttle Enterprise, submarine Growler, and British Airways Concorde (pictured to the right).

The Intrepid Museum has specialized programs for STEM field trips that focus on Earth and Space Science, Energy, and Engineering. It also offers rich history lessons.

If you haven’t already, check out our recent post highlighting some of the virtual exhibits the Intrepid Museum has to offer.

2) Museum of Mathematics 

You probably groaned aloud when you saw the words “Museum of Mathematics” appear on this list, but fear not! MoMath, the National Museum of Mathematics, is actually a hands-on and dynamic museum. MoMath focuses on how mathematics can be seen through the patterns and structures of the world around us – from riding roller coasters to shooting free-throws in basketball. See a full list of their interactive exhibits here.

MoMath has begun offering virtual field trips for up to 96 students during the Covid-19 pandemic. If you’re interested, check out a listing of their online field trip descriptions here.

3) American Museum of Natural History

Because of its starring role in the movie Night at the Museum, the American Museum of Natural History is the most popular museum on this list. The museum’s permanent exhibits can be split into five topic areas: Earth and Planetary Sciences, Paleontology, Living Environment, Astrophysics, and Global Studies. Student groups can also visit the Sackler Educational Laboratory for a hands-on lab experience or journey to the Moon while sitting in the planetarium.

If you aren’t interested in an add-on experience, the museum also provides a printable Self-Guided Tour for you and your group.

4) New York Hall of Science

The New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) has become New York’s center for interactive science with “over 450 interactive displays that explain science and demystify the world.” Visits to NYSCI can be customized and supplemented with guided programs to best suit your student’s needs and interests. Not only are there hundreds of exhibits to explore, but the museum also has live science demonstrations and educator guides that link exhibits to science standards of learning.

If you’re looking to get started at home, check out their At-Home STEM Resources.

5) South Street Seaport Museum

The South Street Seaport Museum teaches students about “how New York’s great natural harbor gave rise to the metropolis we know today.” While much of the museum is focused on the history of the harbor and New Amsterdam, there are several programs the highlight STEM curriculum on both land and sea:

• Sailor’s Pi: Ship Tour and Activities (Geometry)
• Haul Away: Simple Machines on Tall Ships (Simple Machines and Energy)
• Bridges and Ferries (Physics and Engineering)
• Dockside Ecology (Ecology and Geography)
• Float Your Boat (Physics)

6) Hudson River Museum

The Hudson River Museum is an art, science, and history museum, so there is a little something for everyone who visits. Student groups are welcome to tour the museum galleries, watch a show in the planetarium, or learn more in an interactive workshop. There are two STEM programs groups can choose from, Astronomy and Environmental Science. There are hands-on workshops related to both of which students can participate in during their visit.

While working from home, be sure to check out the museum’s At Home Resource guide.

Interested in learning more about a school trip to New York City? Talk to one of our Student Travel Consultants to create a customized itinerary, and be sure to ask about one of these STEM locations as well!

Originally published July 2020, updated March 2021