What is the cost to have a group visit?
Group visits with demonstrations are $100 minimum. Otherwise, a standard visit for groups of 10 or more people without demonstrations is $9 a person. For groups of less than 10 people the regular admission fee of $14.95/person applies.
Is there a cost for adults?
School/group staff (teachers, paras) are free, as such we do expect that you make sure your students use our space appropriately. Additional guests or visitors are at the $9 admission fee. Please be sure to let us know how many adults to expect. Also, during your visit, we expect all adults to supervise your group, correcting any misbehavior on the part of students. All guests are expected to be respectful and follow our posted rules. While exhibits can break down from normal use, willful damage will not be tolerated. While not all of our exhibits are intuitive, and may need an adult to help explain how to use them, this shared learning is a part of the fun you get to have with your students.
What does a group visit include?
When you sign up for a group visit, a normal visit includes: 3 Mad Scientist led demonstrations and time in our hands-on activity zone. For a per-person fee, you can add additional demonstrations or add hands on lab activities.
How long should we schedule for a visit
A typical visit lasts about 3 hours. Additional demonstrations or lab activities will require more time. Please be sure to arrive before your ‘start time.’ If your group will be late, please let us know. Groups who arrive too late are at risk of cancellation or missed activities.
How many can you host at a time
Our theater space where we do demonstrations holds about 50 people at a time. While we can host more than 50 at a time, larger groups may need longer visits. We recommend groups of less than 150.
How much notice do you need for a group visit?
Our visits are on a first scheduled, first served basis. April and May fieldtrip times are often filled by mid-December. We offer many programs as well; our programing gets priority scheduling. To make sure you get your group on our calendar, please schedule as soon as you are able. We are happy to schedule up to a year in advance, but recommend no less than three months in advance.
Do you provide lunch?
We do not offer food services, but we do have space for groups who bring sack lunches. Spaces include an outdoor patio space (for nice days), or our basement which has room for 60 at cafeteria style tables. There is no additional charge for using these spaces, so long as you clean up after yourselves. Make sure to let us know if we need to schedule this in your visit. In Aurora there are some great fast-food and local restaurant options as well.
Is there a cancellation fee?
If an organization cancels their program or field there is a cancellation fee of 50% of their total cost.