Field Trips

CSTL Field Trip programs are led by our certified scientists and science educators, who lead students through interactive activities in our indoor classrooms, our Live Animal Exhibit, and our 17-acre nature preserve.

Can’t come to us? We’ll come to you! Read about our Outreach Programs.

About Field Trips:

Field Trip Programs are 1 hour in length
Programs can be combined for a multi-hour trip.
Gift shop on site.
Advanced booking required: call 516-764-0045

Field Trip Fees:

$7 per child per program.
20 child ($140) minimum per program.
Adults (teachers, instructors) are free!
(Except for the Exhibit – $5/adult)

Field Trip Programs:

**CSTL has all-new field trip programs!**
CSTL’s Field Trip programs have recently been updated to align with the Next Generation Science Standards! (Hover over standards for more information)

Live Animal Show – In this program, students learn about animal adaptations, lifestyles, and conservation in the best way possible: by meeting some of our live animals face-to-face!
NGSS Standards: LS1.A; LS1.D;

Naturalist Hike – In this program, students take a guided hike through the woods of our preserve, where they’ll find insects, birds, and other wildlife, and explore the interactions between the plants and animals of the local ecosystem.
NGSS Standards: LS1.C; LS2.A;

Aquatic Habitats – In this program, students explore freshwater habitats of the preserve. They’ll search for aquatic plants and animals, and learn about the balance of these delicate habitats.
NGSS Standards: LS4.D; ESS3.C;

Math in Nature – Math is more than numbers on a page, it can be found all around us! In this program, students examine the patterns, shapes, and numbers of the natural world with hands-on activities and a mathematical nature walk.

Paleontology – How do scientists investigate the creatures of the ancient past? In this program, students get up close with fossils and get to dive into our dig site to make some discoveries of their own.
NGSS Standards: LS4.A; SEP.7; LS1.A;

Forensics – In this program, students explore the techniques of a forensic scientist. They’ll learn how to use data and interpret evidence to solve a crime.
NGSS Standards: SEP.3; SEP.7;

Water and Weather – In this program, students explore the effects of water and weather! They’ll take air measurements, and investigate how water and weather impact life on the ground!
NGSS Standards: ESS2.D; ESS2.A; ESS2.C;

Amazing Animals Exhibit – This program is a visit to our exhibit, where students can see and learn about our full collection of live animals in their enclosures. This program is available as a self-guided visit or as a guided exhibit tour.
*For a self-guided visit, worksheets may be provided addressing different educational topics.
$5/student self-guided; $10/student guided. (Adults: $5 each)
NGSS Standards: LS1.A; LS1.D; LS4.A; LS4.C;

Can’t Travel? We can come to you with an outreach program.

Teacher Testimonials

“Just wanted to say thank you for the great day! The children had so much fun and we’re so happy the rain held out for us. They learned so much about the animals and were very engaged in the presentations. Thanks again!”

-Denise Kvint, Birch Elementary School, Bellmore

“I just wanted to let you know that my students had an amazing time on our trip on Tuesday. They all said it was the best trip that they had ever been on and I agree! Robert was wonderful with the students. He taught them so much about forensics and nature and he really got them thinking. We’re already planning on coming back next spring and taking the paleontology workshop. Thank you again for providing such a wonderful opportunity for my students!”

-Angela Martin, Ogden Elementary School, Valley Stream