The Museum offers hands-on programs and activities that can be customized to grade level and curriculum. All programs align with the New Mexico Education Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards and are dedicated to the topics of energy, forces, nuclear radiation, and the history of nuclear science.
To book a program, please fill out our online form by clicking below.
Self-Guided Tours ($7/student) - Self-guided tours are available for groups of up to 200 students. Guide students around the museum on your own. Volunteer museum docents (brown vests) are often around the museum to answer questions.
Guided Tours ($9/student) - Guided tours are available for groups of up to 60 students. A docent or education staff member will guide your group around the museum. Guided tours last about an hour and are typically best for older students (grades 5-12). Groups are welcome to explore the museum on their own after their guided tour.
Education Programs* ($10/student) - Education programs are available for groups of up to 60 students (split into two groups of no more than 30 individuals) and last about an hour per group. When one group is in their education program, the second group can explore the museum on their own. *You can read about our education program options below.
Station Rotations ($11/student) - Station Rotations are available for groups of 61 - 180 students. Rotations consist of 20-minute rotations to different hands-on activities and demonstrations around the museum. Groups are welcome to explore the museum on their own after their station rotations.
Education Program + Guided Tour ($11/student) - An education program with a guided tour is available for groups of up to 60 students. Groups do one of the education programs for about an hour and then tour the museum with a volunteer docent or museum staff member for an additional hour.
Choose Your Own Ed-Venture* (1 STEM Ed-venture-$10/per student, 2 STEM Ed-ventures- $11/per student) – Choose your own STEM ed-venture programs is available for groups of up to 60 students. Groups choose one of the STEM Ed-venture programs for about an hour or two STEM Ed-venture programs for about an hour and a half. Groups can explore the museum on their own after their STEM Ed-ventures. *You can read about STEM Ed-Venture options below.
**Education programs, Guided tours, STEM Ed-Ventures, and station rotations are only available during the academic school year (Mid-August up to the Second Week of May). Self-guided tours are available year-round.
If you have questions about the Education Programs, please contact Linda Anderson, Education Enrichment Coordinator, landerson@nuclearmuseum.org or Lisa Guida, Director of Education, lguida@nuclearmuseum.org.
We welcome groups of all ages and sizes! Groups of 10 to 180 students can design a program to suit their needs with the help of our staff. Your program can include but is not limited to, the activities listed below. Small group programs (10-59 students) typically last about an hour. Large group programs (60-180 students) typically consist of a variety of 20-minute activity rotations.
Choose Your Own Ed-Venture (All Grades) Participate in a variety of hands-on science and history activities selected to match classroom goals and curriculum. Teachers should contact the Education Coordinator to talk about their areas of study and select relevant activities. Sample activities include dry ice, Ozobots (robotics), slime, Van de Graaff generator, squishy circuits, Geiger counters, Magnets, Hovercraft, kid-in-a-bag (air vacuum chamber), and rockets.
Secrets and Spies (Grades 3-8) How does secret information get turned into useful intelligence? Students come face-to-face with spies, gadget-makers, scientists, and engineers and try their hand at code-cracking. Loose lips sink ships. Will yours?
Radiation 101 (Grades 6-12) This program provides an introduction to nuclear radiation. Using Geiger counters to measure the radioactivity of common substances and radioactive isotopes, students will discover the difference between the three types of radiation and model methods of reducing radiation exposure.
60 Minutes to Doomsday (Grades 6-12) Time is running out! Prevent the next nuclear disaster before it's too late... Students will work together in an effort to save the world in this role-playing adventure. By using logical reasoning, 'intelligence', debate and rhetoric each nation will present its argument and hopefully, they will be able to stop this tragedy.
Split Over the Atom (Grades 9-12) Nuclear power may be coming to a town near you. Students will take on the roles of various interested parties in a mock public hearing to debate the possibility of a new nuclear power plant being built in their community. The students will use probability, discussion, and critical reasoning skills to explore if nuclear power is the right choice for their community.
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History’s Einstein Express Program offers field trip busing assistance to Title 1 public schools in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. The program provides up to two buses (at the same time) per school per year for transportation to and from the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.
This program operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. Funding for the year is limited, so apply early! Funding is for buses only and cannot be used for Museum admission, programs, or tours that require an additional charge.
You can find the application and more information HERE.
Scavenger hunts are great for self-guided tours! Download by clicking on each topic and print them for your visit.
Scavenger Hunt (Grades K-1): A visual scavenger hunt of museum objects appropriate for kindergarten through first grade.
Museum Mission (Grades 2-3): A scavenger hunt that encourages students to explore the museum. Students will search for objects and speculate about their uses.
Photo Scavenger Hunt (Grades 3 and up): A one-page photo scavenger hunt of the museum featuring straightforward as well as more abstract photographs of objects for students to find and map. Younger children could complete this scavenger hunt with adult assistance.
ARTifacts (Grades 4 and up): A creative exercise in observation for grades 4 and up.
Museum Operative (Grades 5 - 8): Find objects in the museum and answer multiple-choice questions to reveal a secret code that you must unscramble.
Primary Source Primer (Grades 7-12): An introduction to primary sources found in the museum exhibits appropriate for students grades 7-12.
Mining the Nuclear Museum (Grades 10-12): A series of questions prompt students to explore the museum and think critically about the stories museums tell. Best for students with some knowledge of nuclear science and history (ie. the Manhattan Project, Cold War, nuclear and alternative energy).
How do I book a visit?
Fill out our online form (Reserve Your Field Trip). Our Director of Education will be in touch to complete the booking and answer any questions.
How many chaperones do we need?
We require one adult chaperone per every 10 students.
Can we eat lunch at the museum?
The Museum doesn’t have indoor lunch facilities; however, large groups can eat outside the front of the Museum (no tables) and smaller groups can use the picnic tables (seat 32) under the shade structures in Heritage Park (unavailable in summer). Nearby Manzano Mesa Park also makes an excellent spot for a picnic lunch with its shade structures and picnic tables.
If you are booking an education program, you may be able to eat lunch in the classrooms (depending on the size of your group, other bookings that day, etc.). If this option is available on the day of your visit, we do ask that you clean up after yourselves (clean up trash, wipe down tables, sweep). Contact landerson@nuclearmuseum.org or lguida@nuclearmuseum.org or 505-245-2137, extension 101, for more information.
When do we need to pay?
Payment (credit card, cash, or check) or Purchase Order is due on the day of your visit.
Does the museum provide any financial assistance for Title I schools?
Yes! Albuquerque area Title I schools can apply for the museum to cover the cost of busing with our Einstein Express program. You can find the application and more information HERE.
The museum’s Nuclear Science Week (takes place in October for 6th – 12th graders) and Discover STEAM Week (takes place in February for 4th – 8th graders) programs include free busing as well as admission. During your visit, students will rotate around the museum participating in a variety of hands-on science activities. Applications for Nuclear Science Week are available in August and Discover STEAM Week applications are available in October.
For pricing and further information, please contact lguida@nuclearmuseum.org.
NOTE: Please note that there are times when emails from the Museum are sent straight to SPAM folders. Please make sure to check your SPAM folders for Museum communications.