Discovery Programs

Discovery Programs are $9 per person (teachers and first five chaperons are free) and may accommodate up to 90 students per program time slot (9:45 am, 11:00 am and 12:00 noon) based on availability. A 5:1 chaperon ratio is required.

*The following Discovery Programs* are offered year-round and range from 30-45 minutes. All four programs are designed to meet the California Content Standards and to support the LAUSD science FOSS kits.

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Amazing Arthropods

Pre-K, 30 minutes
What makes spiders so special? Students compare and contrast the anatomy of different arthropods while examining the distinct characteristics that aid in their survival.

Grades K-4, 45 minutes
Watch as your students embark on an imaginary adventure into the wonderful world of insects! Travel through diverse habitats (rain forest, desert, wetlands) and uncover the facts on how insect adaptations aid to their survival. Children will encounter live insects on their journey.
California Content Standards: Life Science, Visual Arts

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Abstract Rhythms

Pre-K, 30 minutes
Students will experiment with tempo and rhythm, and practice movement patterns by playing with instruments, scarves and ribbons. They will then express their creativity by painting a drip-style classroom mural through movement.

Grades K-4, 45 minutes
Students explore the science of sound as they investigate how sound works in conjunction with the ear, heart and mind. Students create harmonious bodily movements to express the rhythms of diverse musical compositions while creating a drip-style mural.
California Content Standards: Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Physical Science

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Digging Up the Tyrannosaurus Rex

Pre-K-4th grade, 45 minutes
Follow in the footsteps of our friend the T-Rex and his dinosaur friends as students become apprentice paleontologists uncovering history. In this hands-on investigation, students uncover the truth about this predator and how he impacted the dinosaur world.
California Content Standards: Life Science, Earth Science

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Chumash Cave Painting

Pre-K and Kindergarten, 30 minutes
In this unique program that blends geology and art, students will grind raw materials such as hematite and graphite to make paint in the tradition of the Chumash Native Americans. They will then use these materials to paint Native American-inspired symbols.

Grades 1-4, 45 minutes
Kidspace presents a geology lesson that transforms into an art exploration as students investigate the applications of rocks and minerals used by the Chumash tribe. Students compare and contrast the hardness of rocks and minerals as they are crushed into powders used to create traditional Native American "cave paintings."
California Content Standards: History and Social Science, Visual Arts

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Seasonal Discovery Programs

The following Seasonal Discovery Programs are extended lessons (30-60 minutes) offered on a limited basis throughout the year.  All programs are designed to meet the California Content Standards and to support the LAUSD science FOSS Kits.

Seasonal Discovery Programs are $10 per person (teachers and first 5 chaperons are free). Maximum of 30 students per program time slot (9:45 am, 11:00 am and 12:00 noon) based on availability. A 5:1 chaperon ratio is required.

Choose My Plate Pre-K & Kinder (30 Minutes) (September 10, 2012 - December 14, 2012) Health & Fitness

Learn the importance of making half your plate fruits and vegetables through the USDA-approved My Plate guidelines.  This 30-minute program illustrates the impact a healthy diet and active lifestyle have on a growing child’s well-being.  Through interactive, hands-on activities children will learn healthy options for a “round” meal as well as fun, kid-friendly way to stay fit.

Choose My Plate 1^st-4^th Grade (45 Minutes) (September 10, 2012 - December 14, 2012) Health & Fitness

Through this 45-minute program students will discover the value and exciting options for eating right as highlighted in the USDA-approved My Plate guidelines.   Children will participate in interactive, hands-on activities that illustrate healthy and tasty alternatives to junk food as well as everyday activities that will keep them on the road to a healthy and fit lifestyle.

Caterpillars, Chrysalis and Butterflies (February 26, 2013 - May 31, 2013) California Content Standards: Life Science, Visual Arts

10% discount on caterpillar purchases with the booking of this program. Caterpillars will only be available for purchase from March 15 to April 15.

Pre-K and Kindergarten, 30 minutes
Students explore the life cycle of the Painted Lady Butterfly through art activities, stories and interactive play. In this lively program, students are introduced to the primary parts of a butterfly's anatomy and compare and contrast the five senses of a human to the senses of a butterfly.

1st – 4th Grade, 45 minutes
Learn how caterpillars and butterflies use naturally selected adaptations such as cryptic coloring, stinky smells, mimicry and false heads to defend themselves from predators and survive in diverse environments.

Galvin Physics Forest Discovery Programs

The following Discovery Programs are designed specifically around the Galvin Physics Forest—an outdoor exhibit space dedicated to the understanding of basic physics concepts.  Each program takes a deeper look at the science behind some of the exhibits while allowing students and teachers an opportunity to experiment with additional hands-on activities and take-home ideas.   All programs are designed to meet the California Content Standards and to support the LAUSD science FOSS Kits.

Galvin Physics Forest Discovery Programs are $10 per person (teachers and first 5 chaperons are free). Maximum of 30 students per program time slot (9:45 am, 11:00 am and 12:00 noon) based on availability. A 5:1 chaperon ratio is required.

Physics Play Motion & Force

Kinder & 1^st Grade, 30 Minutes

Experience the physical world through the eyes of a scientist.  Examine why and how things move—or don’t move.  This 30-minute program will introduce basic concepts of motion and force through the use of hands-on activities, interaction with exhibits in the Galvin Physics Forest and real ideas for experiments to do at home or in the classroom. 

Physics Moves Motion, Force and Energy

2^nd - 4^th  Grade, 45 Minutes

Energy is always constant in the universe.  It can never be destroyed or simply made to disappear.  Energy can be stored, transferred, or even transformed.  Through this 45-minute program children will explore real-world physics concepts that will support the discoveries they are making in the science classroom.  Children will learn through hands-on activities, experiments and interaction with specific exhibits in the Galvin Physics Forest how motion & force shape our everyday life.

Transformed Physics Energy, Mechanical Advantage & Simple Machines

5^th- 8^th  Grade , 60 Minutes

The exhibits in the Galvin Physics Forest bring to life Newton’s Three Laws of Motion.  Through this hour-long discovery, students will analyze how energy is transformed from gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy; they will experience the power of air pressure; observe resonance frequency and even interact with simple machines to understand the concept of mechanical advantage.

Self Guided Visit

Available all year 'round! Use a Kidspace tour booklet to enjoy a self-guided Museum experience at your own pace. Self-Guided Visits are ideal for "mommy and me" groups with young children, school groups with young children and groups with severely disabled students. Kids can:

• Hike through the Bumpy Fuzzy Garden
• Climb a 40-foot raindrop tower
• Meet live insects
• Splash in the Interpretive Arroyo
• And much more!

Click here to download the Field Trip Logistics Packet, which includes:

• What to expect before and during your field trip
• Lunch options and where to eat
• Museum rules
• Weather considerations
• Directions to Kidspace
• Parking information

All Field Trips are booked on a first-come first-served basis.  Please fill out a Group Reservation Request Form if you would like to visit with your group.