The Museum of Science in Boston doesn’t list a discount for individual teachers. Educators are free, but only as part of a school field trip reservation: the field trips page lists Educators as FREE in every column of its price table. For qualifying Massachusetts schools, students and adult chaperones are free too.
If you’re planning a class trip, the call to Science Central is the step that gets you the rate, and the sections below cover what to ask for. If you’re heading in on a weekend with your own family, the section on visiting on your own lists what the Ways to Save page offers.
How To Get The Museum Of Science Boston Teacher Discount
There isn’t a teacher ID discount at the ticket desk. You get the educator rate by booking a school field trip. Call Science Central at 617-723-2500 to make a reservation; the page says the line is available 7 days a week, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, programs fill to capacity, and there’s a limit to daily school group admissions.
School rates are for accredited public and private pre-K to 12 schools that deliver compulsory education. The page says field trips and programs aren’t offered during Massachusetts holidays and school vacation periods. Schools with extended days or in session through the summer months can use the school rates, and after-school groups and out-of-school programs can’t.
What A School Group Pays
On the standard rate, educators are free, students are $10.00 for a first visit and $5.00 for a second visit, and chaperones are $5.00 each visit. For qualifying Massachusetts schools, educators, students and chaperones are all free, with no limit to the number of visits a school can make during the school year. A third column of the table lists a $5.00 rate for students and chaperones in certain months, which the page says is for out-of-state schools with economically disadvantaged students at or above 25%.
A school qualifies when it serves a population of economically disadvantaged students at or above 25%, and the page says to call if you aren’t sure whether yours does. Qualifying schools can also ask about transportation reimbursement, which is available on a first come, first serve basis, so mention it when you reserve. The Museum also has limited funding for students from other states who qualify for field trip assistance.
If you come back with the same students in the same school year, students get 50% off Exhibit Halls admission, and you tell Science Central about the second trip when you reserve. Theater shows are an add-on: the Planetarium, Omni Film (IMAX) and 4-D Theater are each $4.00 per person with a field trip, against a $6.00 venue price.
What To Know Before You Book
The chaperone rules are specific. For grades Pre-K through 8 you need at least 1 chaperone for every 10 students, and for grades 9 through 12 at least 1 for every 15. Schools may not bring more than twice the minimum number, and chaperones must be at least 21 years old.
For payment, the policies section says payment in full is due no later than 5 business days before your visit date. Purchase orders have to be arranged at least 5 days in advance with Science Central, checks go to Museum of Science, and personal checks aren’t accepted. The page says family memberships, overnight patches, free passes and discount coupons aren’t accepted as payment for field trip participants. The page says all sales are final, and the Museum doesn’t provide refunds, credits or reductions for students, chaperones or guests who are absent on the day.
Buses can’t park on Museum grounds except for drop-off and pickup, and the page says they may park at the Boston Autoport in Charlestown. Teachers and chaperones driving cars can park in the Museum garage for a $10 flat rate if they turn in their chaperone badge at the Information Desk at the end of the visit, and the garage takes only credit or debit cards. For lunch, you must reserve a 30-minute time slot when you make your reservation. Participants can buy lunch in the Riverview Café or bring bag lunches, and pre-order meals are $7.25 per person.
Visiting On Your Own
The Ways to Save page lists nothing for individual teachers, but it does list several other offers. Members receive free Exhibit Halls admission for a year. Active US service members are free with a Geneva Conventions Common Access Card, veterans get complimentary Exhibit Halls admission on Veterans Day, and between Armed Forces Day and Labor Day active duty military personnel and up to 5 family members are free.
EBT cards allow up to 4 free Exhibit Halls admissions per day, EBT cards from other states can receive the same through Museums For All, and WIC cards allow up to 4 free Exhibit Halls admissions. ConnectorCare health plan cardholders get free admission for themselves. Many libraries offer passes for free or discounted Exhibit Halls admission, and Boston CityPASS saves 45% on admission to Boston’s top 4 attractions.
What We Couldn’t Confirm
We didn’t find a teacher ID discount on the Ways to Save page or the field trips page. The field trips page gives two payment timings: the policies section says payment in full is due 5 business days before your visit, while the payment methods section says payment is required upon arrival, so ask Science Central which one applies to your booking. The page names a day and date for when reservations open for the school year that don’t match each other, so call to confirm your date is bookable. It also doesn’t mention homeschool groups, so ask whether yours can use the school rates.
Q&A
Is there a teacher discount at the Museum of Science?
We couldn’t find one for individual teachers. Educators are free on a school field trip reservation, and the Ways to Save page doesn’t list teachers.
Are chaperones free?
Only for qualifying Massachusetts schools. On the standard rate, chaperones are $5.00 each visit.
What makes a school qualify for free admission?
The page says qualifying schools serve a population of economically disadvantaged students at or above 25%. You can call to check.
How far ahead do I need to reserve?
At least 24 hours, by calling Science Central at 617-723-2500. Programs fill to capacity, so earlier is safer.
How many chaperones do I need?
At least 1 per 10 students in grades Pre-K through 8, and at least 1 per 15 in grades 9 through 12, with no more than twice that number.
Where do buses park?
Not on Museum grounds, except for drop-off and pickup. The page says buses may park at the Boston Autoport in Charlestown.
Can my class eat lunch there?
Yes. Reserve a 30-minute time slot when you book, then buy lunch in the Riverview Café or bring bag lunches.
More Information:
The details above come from the Museum of Science’s own pages as they loaded when we checked, and prices and programs change without notice. See more entertainment discounts for teachers.
