Field Trips & Group Tours
Experience exciting, up-close exposure to science, technology, engineering & math!
Field Trip Activities List
STEM Discovery
Experience exciting, up-close exposure to science housed within the historic Atlas Paper Mill, overlooking the Fox River!
A field trip at Atlas Science Center lasts two hours and includes two educator-guided activities in addition to exploration time. Investment is $7 x child with one free chaperone/teacher spot for every five children. Details about our activities can be found below. For homeschool pricing, please contact our STEM Educator Director, Ashley Rossmeissl at ashley@atlassciencecenter.org or 920.380.7491 ext. 102.
Field trips are usually scheduled when Atlas is not open to the public, which includes all day Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Field trip confirmation comes after receiving a down payment and a signed field trip contract. If you would like to schedule a field trip at Atlas Science Center, contact our STEM Educator Director, Ashley Rossmeissl at ashley@atlassciencecenter.org or 920.380.7491 ext. 102.
Please note that activities can be tailored to different ages for grades 3-12 only (simplified or more challenging). Please let our educators know the age range of your group to plan accordingly.
GRADES K-2
In addition to making paper, field trips for grades K-2 include a scavenger hunt, exploration of our exhibits and discussion on the history of the Atlas Paper Mill and the Fox River.
Handmade Paper (Grades K-2)
Key Themes: paper art, history, technology
This is our most popular activity. Using paper already on hand, we will take the students, step by step, through the process of making a brand-new piece of paper—recycling at its finest! A complete hands-on activity. It is an experience that students will not forget.
GRADES 3-12
Field trips for grades 3-12 experience two educator-guided activities. Each activity lasts 30-45 minutes. Your field trip experience also includes access to all our self-guided exhibits.
The Power of Polymers (Grades 3-12)
Key Themes: chemistry, polymer science, plastics, everyday applications
We'll discuss the basic chemistry of polymers and how prevalent they are in our everyday lives. Then, we'll test the strength and flexibility of polymers as we build our own models. Finally, we use 'Cra-Z-Snow' (a safe polymer-based material that is the same chemical found in diapers), food dye and water to show how much polymers can expand and absorb their mass in water.
Henrietta Lacks Lives On (Grades 5-12)
Key Themes: biology, cell culture, DNA, medical ethics, African American history, research
Henrietta Lacks passed away in 1951 but her cells, taken without her consent, lived on to transform the fields of science and medicine. Named "HeLa," the cells divide indefinitely and have been doing so for over 70 years. This interactive presentation offers the science of why HeLa cells are immortal and a hands-on activity to learn how to keep HeLa cells alive in a lab.
Small Business Math: Risk and Profit (Grades 5-12)
Key Themes: finances, business administration, risk and profits, everyday applications
Using actuarial science and accounting techniques, teams manage the finances of their own small business. An outline of calculations will guide them, but students must decide how much risk to take on, then determine if their business will be profitable through some unpredictable weather events. Addressing the age-old question “when will I ever need to use this?” Students will put their math skills to the test to see which business remains profitable in the end.
This activity was developed by CPA Natalie Kohtala, Baker Tilly and Actuary Promise Tober, American Family Insurance.
Paper Science Lab (Grades 3-12)
Key Themes: paper science, technology, history, polymers, hydrogen bonds
Students go through the process of making a brand-new sheet of paper and learn about the chemistry, science and technology that goes into making everyday paper products. From hydrogen bonds to cellulose polymers, this hands-on activity introduces students to a whole new way of viewing paper.
Engineering Energy - Hydropower
(Grades 3-12)
Key Themes: clean energy, thermodynamics, physics, engineering teamwork, energy transfer
Energy cannot be made, and it cannot be destroyed, but it can be harnessed and transformed. With this activity students learn how the energy of running water can be used to generate electricity. After enacting how a generator works, students put their engineering and teamwork abilities to the test by creating their own water wheel.
The Paper Caper (Grades 3-12)
Key Themes: forensic science, biochemistry, biology, problem solving
There has been a crime at Atlas, and we need your forensic science skills to help catch our thief. Students learn what blood types mean at a molecular level and get hands-on experience determining what makes each of them different from the other. After learning DNA profiling and practicing micro pipetting skills, we use UV light analysis to solve The Paper Caper!
Poop to Power! (Grades 3-12)
Key Themes: sustainability, chemistry, reactions, green technology
Carbon gases like methane are warming our planet, and one of the biggest sources of these gases are cows. We’ll construct our own mini digesters to show how farmers collect manure to turn it into renewable gases. Using an acid-base reaction to illustrate how the gas is formed and a tiny balloon to trap the gas offers additional lessons in chemistry and a fun twist too.
Snow Crystal Physics and Geometry (Grades 5-12)
Key Themes: states of matter, climate, winter science, phase transitions, geometrical shapes
Have you ever wondered how snowflakes are formed? Beauty meets physics as students learn how temperature and humidity impact the formation of each unique crystal. We conclude with microscopy images of a variety of snowflakes that inspire participants to build their own snow crystal using geometrical shapes.
Drug Discovery: How New Medicines are Made (Grades 5-12)
Key Themes: biomedicine, clinical trials, pharmaceuticals, math, technology
Have you ever thought about how long it takes for a new medicine to be developed? With this activity, discover how scientists find new drugs to help cure diseases. Students will work in teams to 'screen' a library of drugs and take any successful results through the phases of a clinical trial. Chemistry, biology, math and technology all meet to learn more about this incredible process.
The Engineering Process: Building without Instruction (Grades 3-8)
Key Themes: simple machines, problem solving, iterations, product testing
After a brief discussion on engineering, students will build a simple machine (using only scissors, a small PVC pipe and a balloon) capable of launching a marshmallow into a bucket. We discuss the steps of the engineering process, including iteration and revision of our machines after we gather initial data.
Everyday Science: Cells, Germs and Soap (Grades 3-12)
Key Themes: microbiology, hydrophobicity, health and hygiene
Ever wonder why we wash our hands with soap? With this interactive stage presentation, you’ll enter the microscopic world of cells and germs, and learn all about the science behind soap’s ability to keep our bodies safe from pathogens. After this learning experience you will never see soap the same way again.
Changing Colors: Acids and Bases (Grades 3-12)
Key Themes: chemistry, pH scale, reactions, observation, data collection
The colors people see depend on the chemicals that things are made of. By participating in colorful and fun chemistry experiments together, students will learn how color changes can help identify two classes of chemicals called acids and bases.
Invasion: An Ecosystem Game
(Grades 3-12)
Key Themes: ecology, biodiversity, botany, discussion on actions and consequences
After a brief introduction on new species in ecosystems, each student is assigned a role to play in the game “Invasion”. During the game, students experience how the introduction of an invasive plant species has far-reaching effects. We end with a broader discussion of invasive species and even debate whether humans are invasive or not.
Neurodiversity: The Power of Perspective (Grades 5-12)
Key Themes: communication, self-care, different perspectives, emotional intelligence, social and emotional learning (SEL)
What if the world saw neurodiversity as a strength? Participate in a stage show that will exemplify how people experience the world differently. Interactive activities will demonstrate how people use different strategies to solve the same problems while also highlighting neurodiverse scientists and innovators. Finally, we will play the "Neuro Futures" game where participants will rank the importance of future brain technology through the perspective of someone else.
Upon request, this unique activity can be adapted to focus on social discussion or neuroscience.
Microscopic Math (Grades 5-12)
Key Themes: applied mathematics, metric system, scale and units, metric conversions
Have you ever stopped to think how truly small the world is around you? Delve into a world of applied math concepts where students learn about the nanoscale and microscale that we cannot see, but that makes up everything we know. We work on 'scaling' everyday ideas like oxygen and bacteria to build an understanding of size and end with some microscopy work on pathogens.
Focus on Food Chains (Grades 3-6)
Key Themes: ecology, biology, botany, photosynthesis, teamwork
In this interactive activity, students are assigned an ecosystem where they must build their own hierarchy of producers and primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers. They finish with an activity about biotic and abiotic factors that influence ecosystems.
The Rock Cycle - With a Chocolate Twist! (Grades 3-6)
Key Themes: geology, rock classification, erosion, sediments
Students are put into teams and learn where rocks come from and how they are made. Then we proceed with a hands-on food demonstration that takes them through each step of the rock cycle. Using white chocolate, dark chocolate and butterscotch chips, they get to smash, melt, and more!
Paper Strength and the Scientific Method (Grades 3-12)
Key Themes: physics, product testing, data collection, teamwork, scientific variables
Through this demonstration your students will use the scientific method to form a prediction about how much weight different types of paper will hold. The scientific method is then reinforced when students do another experiment, this time testing the wet strength of toilet paper and facial tissue.
Survival: A Game Show About Sustainability (Grades 3-12)
Key Themes: sustainability, communication, team building, global issues
Based on the TV show “Survivor,” students face off to test their knowledge about sustainability in 3 rounds. They learn about the pillars of sustainability: people, planet and prosperity and the Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations. Challenges and solutions are discussed as teams buzz in for chances to answer!
This activity was developed by Science Museum of Minnesota for the NISE Network as part of Arizona State University’s Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability in Science and Technology Museums program.
Photosynthesis Simplified (Grades 3-8)
Key Themes: botany, chemical energy, elements, scientific observation
Each student is given carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen props and are shifted around to illustrate how these elements must rearrange during this chemical reaction. Students also observe in real time plants producing oxygen! This no-sitting, all-moving demo of photosynthesis helps students digest this complex topic.
Catch a Thief Using Biochemistry
(Grades 8-12)
Key Themes: forensic science, biochemistry, macromolecules, problem solving, science lab application
An iPhone has been stolen out of the cafeteria! Good thing we know what the thief ate for lunch. We will use our knowledge of the four classes of macromolecules (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids) to assess the evidence left behind to determine who stole the iPhone
Transcription and Translation: How a Gene is Expressed (Grades 9-12)
Key Themes: genetics, DNA and RNA, proteins, gene expression and differentiation
Genes make us unique. But how? Students start by working in pairs with a paper DNA transcript and use it to construct their mRNA. From here, they must translate their mRNA into a polypeptide which they build using a ribosome and tRNA. Walking through the complex steps of gene expression helps students truly grasp this incredible process.
STEM+ ART
STEM+Art activities are only available for small groups. Maximum 20 students.
These activities will last 75 minutes on average. A STEM+Art activity is considered two educator activities in one. If you choose one of these activities, your field trip will consist of this activity alone along with time for museum exploration.
Cyanotypes: Scientific Illustrations with Light (Grades 5-12)
Key Themes: photography, history, chemistry, lab safety, exposure and print development
Originally used for scientific documentation, cyanotypes have evolved into a beloved art form, appreciated for their ethereal blue tones and expressive imagery. This interdisciplinary class offers an enriching experience that combines the artistry of photography with the chemistry of light-sensitive solutions, encouraging participants to explore their creativity while gaining a deeper understanding of the scientific principles behind this captivating process.
Pulp Painting (Grades 5-12)
Key Themes: paper art, color wheel, creativity, chemistry, polymer and water science
Did you know that paper can be decorated by using more pulp? Using a plastic squeeze bottle, participants will be able to form numbers, letters, scenes, or abstract patterns to enhance their homemade paper while also understanding the intermolecular forces at play that make this possible.
Origami: Inspiring STEM innovations (Grades 5-12)
Key Themes: Japanese art, big to small, art application in science, geometry
Enjoy what scientists and engineers have been discovering and creating with the ancient Japanese art of Origami: for outer space, robotics, medicine and architecture. Learn and fold geometric forms, corrugations and levers that are sculptural and powerful. How you use them can make you that scientist, engineer or inventor.
This activity was developed by Talo Kawasaki, origami artist and educator from New York. He is currently a co-designer of the Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History.
Suminagashi: The Science of Japanese Paper Marbling (Grades 5-12)
Key Themes: Japanese art, eastern marbling, surface tension, density, hydrophobicity, capillary action
Students create beautiful designs by floating sumi ink on water and pulling their patterns on a sheet of paper. They also do supplemental science activities that help them understand the special properties of water, ink and more. Students will leave with a deeper understanding of the synergistic relationship between art and science.