School Group Visits
The Discovery Center offers special educational programs for school districts, daycare facilities, homeschool groups, scout troops and more!
Enjoy fresh new lessons and old favorites that meet all your New York State Standards needs.
Group Visit to The Discovery Center
- $10 per student with program
- $8 per student for free play only
- One (1) complimentary chaperone for every (10) students
- $5 per additional chaperone
View the BTBOCES Extended Classroom Enrichment Resources or scroll down for our program options.
The Discovery Center offers a welcoming and safe environment for special education classes to explore, learn, and grow. Designed with accessibility in mind, our center is equipped with interactive exhibits and engaging activities that cater to a wide range of learning needs. Teachers and students alike will find a supportive space where all individuals can feel comfortable, confident, and inspired to explore new concepts. With trained staff, sensory-friendly areas, and a focus on inclusion, The Discovery Center is the perfect destination for special education classes to experience hands-on learning in a place where everyone is valued and supported!
2024-2025 Guide
GET READY, GET SET, GO! Attention all sports enthusiasts
and fans, join us for our NEW Sports Matter experience. The ball is in your park; solve perplexing
sports themed riddles through reasoning and deduction using STEAM programming and center-
based learning.
Grades: K-5
Audience Size: 10-25
Length of Program: 40 minutes
Buzz your way into our fascinating journey and open your eyes to
the vibrant world of Pollinators. Through center-based activities, learn about the symbiosis
relationship of these creatures and how they help make our gardens grow.
Grades: K-5
Audience Size: 10-25
Length of Program: 30 minutes
What is the science behind BUBBLES? During this beloved Discovery Center program, children will use the scientific method to experiment hands-on and observe what bubbles look like and how they behave.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 15-20 minute demonstration OR 30-45 minute demonstration with center rotations
Math will never be this sweet! Learn about the science of sugar and practice your STEM skills as we work with counting, pattern making, sorting, building, and measuring—all using candy!
Seasonal variations: Trick or Treat- October only (costumes welcome!), Gingerbread City- November and December only
Grades: K–5
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 15-20 minute demonstration or 30-45 minute demonstration with center rotations
Did you know that we live in the Carousel Capital of the WORLD? Together, children will learn a brief history as to why Broome County holds this fun title, read “Carousel” by Pat Cummings, engage in an educational literacy activity AND color their own carousel horse to take home.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 30 minutes
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Imagine, for a second, a goose wearing a raincoat…people playing soccer on the moon…a fish on vacation in Mexico. You probably haven’t actually seen any of these things. But you could picture them instantly. Students will be able to identify what imagination really is during this engaging and whacky 30-minute STEAM workshop.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 30 minutes
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Nya:wëh sgë:nö’! Watch pinecones, flowers, stones, and berries come ALIVE as children learn about the Haudenosaunee people, their relationship with the Earth, and how as a community we can heal through art and nature. Haudenosaunee creation story “The World on the Turtle’s Back” told through group movement activity.
Grades: 3-5
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 1 hour
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During this 1 HR STEAM workshop, children will meet the man who made sculpture move, Alexander Calder, and get to experiment and create in the ways he did by constructing simple machines in groups.
Grades: 3-5
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 1 hour
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Where do owls live? What do owls eat? How do owls grow? What do owls look like? In this hands-on science lab, children will investigate owls in their natural habitat and use the scientific method to observe bones in owl pellets to identify its prey!
Grades: K-5
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 40 minutes
Who knew science could be so…delicious! Children will transform into paleontologists during this interactive dinosaur workshop, identifying five species and testing fine motor skills by digging around in some sweet treats.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 30-45 minute demonstration + center rotations
****Please let the Arts, Culture, and Education Coordinator know of any food allergies.****
Wedge yourself into a seat! Join us as we learn about toys and simple machines!
Through guided team play students will discover the functions of simple machines and be able to
identify simple machines in everyday toys. This program features learning stations that include
identification, comprehension play, and building activities.
Grades: K-3
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 40 minutes
Suit up and serve a smile as we unlock the secrets of our everyday heroes in this exciting Community Helpers program. Through center-based learning students will gain an understanding of how every helper has a role, the importance of collaboration and community. This journey includes a self guided scavenger hunt, with hands-on experiences.
Grades: 1
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 30 minutes
Hear that? Bees are all a buzz at The Discovery Center! Take students on an exploration of hive life with this hands-on workshop. Students will learn about the bee life cycle, investigate the shapes of the hive, and learn about how bees help humans.
Grades: K–3
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 1 hour
Children will gain insight on Binghamton’s own Polish Immigrants story, read through Young Readers Choice Award “The Keeping Quilt” by Patricia Pollaco, engage in an educational literacy activity AND create a class “heirloom” based on their own history.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 30 minutes
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The magical world of astronomy comes to life! This portable planetarium is a fun way to learn about stars. Enter the giant silver dome and transform into junior astronauts, ready to explore the celestial bodies with our star show. Learn all about stars, common constellations, and hear some traditional constellation myths.
Grades: Pre-K–5
Audience Size: 10–30
Length of Program: 45-60 minutes
Children will be WOWed seeing colorful fireworks EXPLODE in water! This simple activity explores the science of liquid densities in a mesmerizing way.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 30 minutes
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Is it magic, art or science!? Children will investigate the basics of optics and color theory, and utilize fine motor skills crafting a rainbow paper spinner during this 30 minute workshop.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 30 minutes
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Would you ever ride in a hot air balloon? Students will use the scientific method to find out what causes hot air balloons to fly through the sky. Workshop also includes a brief history on the oldest successful human flight technology.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 30 minutes
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Do you see what I hear? Children will learn all about Kandinsky’s gift of Synesthesia Cognate and his use of geometric features by observing his most iconic paintings, and even try the process out for themselves!
Grades: 3-5
Audience Size: 10–25
Length of Program: 40 minutes
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Dates and times are subject to availability. No deposit required. Please include adults in your anticipated group size.
Questions & Reservations for Group Visits
Please Note: Dates and times are subject to availability.
