FAQ's — Frequently Asked Questions


Field Trip Activities

Q. What activities are available for my students on a field trip to The Tech?
A. The museum offers three activities for K-12 school groups visiting The Tech:
  1. A self-guided visit to the museum galleries, which contain over 250 hands-on, interactive exhibits.
  2. An entertaining and educational IMAX film.
  3. A hands-on, 90-minute design challenge OR life science lab taught for your group. (Maximum 32 students per session)
All activities are subject to availability.
Q. How much time does it take to complete these activities on a visit to The Tech?
A. We suggest at least 2 hours to visit the museum galleries, 1 hour for an IMAX film, and 90-minutes for a lab session. Don't forget to allow AT LEAST 30 minutes for your group to have lunch, if you are staying for the day.
Q. Can we bring lunches?
A. Yes. The teacher or chaperones must collect lunches prior to arrival. We REQUIRE lunches be placed together in either large plastic bags or in boxes, allowing chaperones to easily place them in our multi-use room or rental lockers. Please be advised that lunches MUST be put away before your group is allowed entrance to the museum. Also, do not leave lunches on your bus, as you will not be able to retrieve them during your visit.
Q. Where can we eat lunch?
A. Groups are welcome to have lunch in our multi-use room, New Venture Hall. New Venture Hall is available on most days and has plenty of space that can be shared by multiple groups. When weather permits, please feel free to eat outside in the park across the street, Plaza de Caesar Chavez. This also allows the students to burn off some extra energy before coming back inside.

TOP top

Requesting a Trip

Q. Can I request a trip online?
A. Yes. We strongly encourage you to request your trip through our website.
Q. What if I don't want to book my trip online?
A. You are welcome to contact us by phone to set up your trip at (408) 795-6101.
Q. Can we change our activities after we have booked a trip?
A. All changes to your trip itinerary are subject to availability and must be approved by Group Reservations. To request a change in either your planned activities or to update the number of people in your group, please contact us by email at groupreservations@thetech.org or call (408) 795-6101. Due to high traffic during the early Fall booking period, we suggest that you use the online system if possible.

TOP top

Teacher and Chaperone Requirements

Q. As a teacher, do I need to report changes in numbers?
A. Yes. Reporting changes in visitor numbers at the time of payment, 2 weeks prior to the trip date, will help avoid overpayment. Also reporting a final number at the time of arrival will aid The Tech in having accurate attendance numbers in case of emergency.
Q. How many chaperones are required for my group?
A. The Tech REQUIRES one (1) chaperone for every eight (8) K-12 students. We suggest bringing enough chaperones so that teachers may "float" throughout the museum to oversee the trip.
Q. Do I have to bring chaperones if I am bringing high school students?
A. Yes. Students in K-12th grade need to be with their chaperones at all times while visiting The Tech. The same 1:8 chaperones to student ratio is required. SCHOOL GROUP CHAPERONES MUST BE OVER 18 AND NOT ATTENDING A K-12 SCHOOL.
Q. Do students have to stay with their chaperones inside the museum?
A. Yes. Students in K-12th grade need to be with their chaperones at all times while visiting The Tech.

TOP top

Payment

Q. Does The Tech accept Purchase Orders (PO's)?
A. Yes. School groups may submit purchase orders to stand as payment for trips. However, purchase orders must be received in our office at least two weeks prior to the trip. If you are unsure whether you can use a purchase order, contact your school or the accounts payable department at your district office to find out.
Q. What methods of payment does The Tech accept?
A. Field trips may be paid by the following methods:
  • Check (school, school district, or personal)
  • Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
  • Official authorized purchase order from your school or district
Q. Can we get a refund if we cancel our field trip?
A. Trips cancelled more than two weeks prior to the arrival date can receive a refund of their trip payments minus a $50.00 cancellation fee. Trips cancelled within two weeks of the arrival date are not eligible for a refund. Please note that the Tech does not offer refunds for fewer visitors than booked. To avoid overpayment please adjust your visitor numbers at the time of payment, 2 weeks prior to the trip date.

TOP top