Plan a School Visit

School programs at the National Building Museum inspire students to examine the buildings, places, and structures around them. During these hands-on programs that meet national standards of learning, students use the design process to explore the people, processes, and materials of the built environment. Students identify problems, investigate, and use their creativity to imagine solutions. They construct plans or models to test out ideas and think critically as they evaluate their final products. By becoming city planners, designers, engineers, and building detectives during the programs, students begin to understand that their decisions can have a positive impact on the world around them. 

Programs are are 1.5 or 2 hours long and are offered at 10:00 or 10:30 am and at 12:30 pm Monday-Friday. Programs will be offered September 26, 2011-June 8, 2012, except for federal holidays. Since morning programs (10:00 or 10:30 am start) fill up quickly, consider scheduling a program in the afternoon (12:30 pm start). 

Register for school programs.

Exhibitions Admission

Unless noted, the Museum’s school programs do not include a tour of any of the Museum’s exhibitions. Admission is $5 for students 3 years old and up and $8 for adults. If purchased online, one free adult ticket is provided for every ten child tickets. Tickets are not required to enter the Museum's Great Hall. Limited admissions scholarships are available for Title I, DC Public and DC Public Charter schools who are already attending a school program. Click here for information about purchasing tickets in advance or applying for an admissions scholarship. 

School Programs for All

DC Public Schools and Title I Schools

The Museum welcomes District of Columbia Public and Public Charter Schools to participate in its programs at no cost. Additionally, schools with Title 1 status, regardless of their district, may also book programs at no cost. When you register please be sure to indicate your DC ward number or Title 1 status. To receive the programs for free, schools are required to have a Fee Waiver Form signed by the school principal.

DC Arts and Humanties Education Collaborative's Arts for Every Student program

The National Building Museum is a participating member of the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative’s Arts for Every Student (AFES) program. AFES is open to DC public and charter schools. Through the AFES program, certain grade groupings are eligible for free transportation for Patterns or City by Design field trips. Please contact the DC Collaborative for program requirements and information at 202.204.7754, by email at info@dccollaborative.org, or visit www.dccollaborative.org.

Homeschool Students

The National Building Museum’s school programs are ideal for homeschool groups because the Museum can accommodate groups with a variety of ages and mixed learning levels. Individual homeschool students are invited to sign up for programs during the Museum’s Homeschool Days during the 2011-2012 school year. For more information and to register, click here.

Accessibility

The Museum’s school programs are ideal for students with varying abilities or special needs as they are hands-on and are designed to complement a variety of learning styles. Please identify any of your students’ special needs, whether physical or academic, in the comments section when scheduling your visit (e.g., sign-language interpreter, learning disabilities). When you identify your students’ needs, the Museum is better able to adapt school programs to fit their specific needs. A wheelchair accessible entrance is located on G Street.