Field Trips & Classroom Visits
Field Trips & Classroom Visits
Explore the natural and cultural history of the Mid-Columbia region through hands-on, place-based learning experiences.
At the REACH Museum, we offer educator-led programs both on-site and in the classroom that connect students to the geology, ecology, history, and science of our region. Whether you visit the museum or bring REACH educators to your classroom, our programs are aligned with Washington State K–12 Learning Standards and tailored to fit your group’s grade level and learning goals.
Bechtel’s Sponsorships Empower the REACH Museum to Subsidize Programs, Ensuring Equal Learning Opportunities for All Schools.
Read more about Bechtel and their support of the REACH Museum’s education initiatives in serving our local communities.
planning your field trip or classroom visit
Each program is led by a REACH Educator and can be adapted to meet your curriculum objectives and student needs. Pre-visit materials and post-visit extensions are available upon request.
Guided Field Trips: $210 per class (up to 30 students, grades K–12)
Duration: 1.5–2 hours | 1:7 chaperone ratio | Teachers & chaperones freePreschool Field Trips: $150 per class (up to 20 students)
Duration: 1–1.5 hours | 1:5 chaperone ratio | Teachers & chaperones freeSelf-Guided Field Trips: $5 per student (recommended for grades 6–12, group size 10–30)
Museum hours: Tues–Sat, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Scavenger hunt worksheets available
Subsidies may be available for qualifying schools thanks to support from our community partners.
Contact REACH Education Manager Pauline Schafer | 509-943-4100 ext. 113
Available Program Topics
Explore field trip and classroom program topics available for students from preschool through high school. Topics are organized by the earliest grade level served, and activities can be adapted to students’ ages and instructional goals.
Early Learners
Preschool Nature Exploration (PreK–K)
Young learners explore nature through sensory-based activities, outdoor walks, and guided interactions with exhibits. Programs are seasonally appropriate and focused on foundational science discovery.
Beginning in Kindergarten
Shrub-Steppe Ecosystem (Grades K–12)
Discover the arid landscape surrounding the Hanford Reach and how its plants, animals, and people are interconnected.
Activities may include:
- Identifying native and invasive species
- Observing skulls, pelts, and animal signs
- Exploring habitat relationships and food webs
Native American Seasonal Round (Grades K–12)
Explore how seasonal cycles have guided—and continue to inform—Indigenous relationships with the lands, waters, plants, and animals of the Columbia Plateau. Through stories and hands-on observation, students examine traditional ecological knowledge and the responsible stewardship of natural resources.
Activities may include:
- Exploring how seasonal changes influence food gathering and daily life
- Identifying culturally significant local plants and animals
- Comparing seasonal activities through stories, objects, and observation
Geologic Past (Grades K–8)
Explore the forces that shaped the Pacific Northwest’s landforms and how Ice Age floods impacted the region.
Activities may include:
- Comparing rocks and minerals
- Modeling the rock cycle and plate tectonics
- Analyzing fossils and simulating Ice Age floods
Beginning in Grade 2
Columbia River Resources (Grades 2–8)
Examine how the Columbia River has supported people and ecosystems over time.
Activities may include:
- Constructing historical timelines
- Investigating fish adaptations
- Analyzing artifacts using Lewis and Clark journals
- Exploring satellite imagery
Beginning in Grade 3
The River Mile Crayfish Study (Grades 3–12)
Available April–October
Join a real-world science project tracking invasive crayfish in the Columbia River.
Activities may include:
- Identifying and measuring crayfish
- Testing water quality and recording observations
- Observing habitats and modeling crayfish populations
This program can include classroom preparation, museum-based learning, and a riverside data-collection session. Contact our Education Manager to customize the experience.
Beginning in Grade 5
Hanford: The Manhattan Project and Beyond (Grades 5–12)
Explore the science and human stories of the Hanford Site, from agricultural communities and a secret government project to today’s cleanup innovations.
Activities may include:
- Investigating Hanford cultural artifacts from World War II and the Cold War
- Using a Geiger counter to understand common sources of radiation
- Calculating and examining the challenges of Hanford cleanup
Not Sure Which Topic Is Right?
Our education team can help you select or customize a program that fits your students’ grade level and instructional goals.