Science on the Road
TRAVEL PROGRAMS
We Bring the Wonders of Science and Interactive Museum Activities to You.
Explore our programs.
01/01/2025
ALL TYPES
ALL GRADE LEVELS
ALL SUBJECTS
Bring Kamin Science Center to Your Classroom.
- Print Science on the Road Offerings
Science on the Road Offerings
Program run times listed reflect the maximum length. All presentations and sessions can be shortened to accommodate your schedule.
Pre-K
K-5
- School Assembly Programs
- Grade Levels: K-5, 6-8, 9-12
- Subjects: Engineering, Outer Space, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science
- Grade Levels: K-5, 6-8, 9-12
- Subjects: Engineering, Outer Space, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science
6-8
- School Assembly Programs
- Grade Levels: K-5, 6-8, 9-12
- Subjects: Engineering, Outer Space, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science
9-12
- School Assembly Programs
- Grade Levels: K-5, 6-8, 9-12
- Subjects: Engineering, Outer Space, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science
Ignite Curiosity with Kamin Science Center Assemblies.
Looking to spark excitement at your school? Kamin Science Center’s assembly programs transform classrooms into launchpads for discovery. These high-energy, curriculum-connected experiences bring science to life in a way that sticks—combining dazzling demonstrations, real-world connections, and interactive fun your learners won’t forget.
- Designed for Grades K–9
- Customized for your learners’ needs
- Perfect for special events or curriculum enrichment
Assembly Pricing & Details
Grades K–8 Assemblies
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$525 for the first session | $250 for each repeat (up to 3 per day)
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45 minutes | Up to 250 learners per session
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Virtual programming available
Grades 3–9 Assemblies
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$660 for the first session | $250 for each repeat (up to 3 per day)
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45 minutes | Up to 250 learners per session
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Virtual programming available
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Bonus: All in-person and virtual programs include FREE access to lessons, info, and activities on our Brightspace Learning Management System!
Featured Assemblies
Build It to Blastoff (Grades K–8)
Future explorers, it’s time to launch! From rockets to robots, students will discover how teamwork, technology, and imagination fuel space exploration. Along the way, they’ll see how space science leads to innovations here on Earth—and how their big dreams can take us to Mars and beyond.
Curriculum Connections: Matter & Interactions • Energy • Forces & Stability • Earth & Human Activity • Ecosystems • Science & Engineering Practices
Subjects: Biology • Chemistry • Engineering • Environmental Science • Outer Space • Problem-Solving
Cold Case: A Chem Mystery File (Grades K–8)
Put on your detective hats—Sam Silica needs backup! Students become crime-solvers as they test evidence, identify mysterious substances, and uncover the secrets of chemistry. With every clue, science reveals the truth in this thrilling mystery adventure.
Curriculum Connections: Matter & Interactions • Energy • Cause & Effect • Science & Engineering Practices
Subjects: Biology • Chemistry • Engineering • Environmental Science • Problem Solving
Turn Down the Watt (Grades 3–9 | Program price is only applicable within 50 miles
of Etna.)
Ever wonder how electricity gets from the power plant to your phone? Students will explore how communities and power companies keep energy flowing—and how they can help shape a smarter, greener future. Hands-on activities empower learners to take charge of their energy world!
Curriculum Connections: Matter & Interactions • Energy • Forces & Stability • Earth & Human Activity • Science & Engineering Practices
Subjects: Chemistry • Engineering • Environmental Science • Problem-Solving
Add-On Fun: Mini Science Make and Takes!
Looking to extend the excitement beyond assemblies? Our Mini Science Make and Takes are the perfect hands-on addition. These drop-in style activities are designed for all ages, offering accessible science experiments that learners can create—and take home! Each session is facilitated by a Kamin Science Center educator, allowing participants to engage at their own pace.
Make and Take Pricing & Details
- $175 for the first hour | $125 for each additional hour (up to 3 hours max)
- Each session serves up to 100 learners
- Informal, flexible format—perfect for big events or casual drop-ins
Mini Science Make and Take Experiences
Prepare for Takeoff
Test everyday items in a vertical wind tunnel to see which can soar! Then, design and take home your very own paper helicopter.
Focus Areas: Motion & Stability • Forces & Interactions • Cause & Effect
Subjects: Engineering • Environmental Science • Outer Space • Problem-Solving
Jurassic Jaws
Step into the shoes of a paleontologist! Compare extinct creatures to modern animals, classify dino features, and make your own “Dino Clucker” to take home.
Focus Areas: Ecosystems • Biological Evolution • Structure & Function
Subjects: Biology • Environmental Science • Problem-Solving
UV Beads
Discover the hidden power of the electromagnetic spectrum! Craft a fun, wearable UV keepsake that reveals when sunlight is present.
Focus Areas: Energy & Matter • Cause & Effect
Subjects: Chemistry • Engineering • Environmental Science • Problem-Solving
Big Dipper Detectives
Can you spot patterns in the stars? Learn about constellations, imagination, and mythology, then build your own 3D constellation to take home.
Focus Areas: Patterns • Scale & Proportion • Systems & Models
Subjects: Chemistry • Outer Space
Liquid Nitrogen Slushie Bundle* (2-Hour Minimum)
Kick things off with a buffet of mind-blowing liquid nitrogen demos, then treat your learners to custom-made slushies! Serves up to 100 learners (200 max with an extra hour).
Subjects: Biology • Chemistry • Engineering • Problem-Solving
*Slushie supplies are included in the program fee.
Ready to schedule?
Pair an assembly with a Mini Science Make and Take for the ultimate Kamin Science Center school experience! Call our Reservations Team at 412.237.3400 to start planning your science on the road experience.
Bring Science to Life, One Hour at a Time!
Kamin Science Center’s STEM-by-the-Hour programs deliver hands-on, classroom-style experiences designed to spark curiosity and build real-world problem-solving skills. Learners dive into experiments, tackle challenges, and explore the why behind the world around them—all in 45–60 minutes of discovery.
- $150 per session
- Serves up to 30 learners (max of five sessions per day)
- 45–60 minutes each
- Available year-round (two-session minimum in April & May)
- Virtual programming available
Educators love the curriculum connections. Learners love the fun. Together, it’s the perfect formula for igniting curiosity!
- Print Science on the Road Offerings
Why STEM-by-the-Hour?
- Engaging, tactile experiments that spark curiosity and exploration
- Real-world problem-solving that builds critical-thinking skills
- Curriculum-relevant content that reinforces and extends classroom learning
- Active participation and individual discovery—every learner gets involved!
Featured Programs
NEW! Engineering Challenges 2.0 (Grades K–5)
Think like an engineer and create like an artist! From building arches to crafting biodegradable fashion, learners take on exciting design challenges that test their creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Can they deliver their take-home projects on time and under budget?
Focus Areas: Engineering • Careers in Science • Forces & Interaction
Subjects: Engineering • Environmental Science • Problem-Solving
NEW! Making Waves (Grades K–5)
Waves are everywhere—sound, light, even the way we communicate across space! Learners experiment with slinkies, string phones, and beams of light to uncover how waves travel and connect our world. Get ready to see—and hear—waves in a whole new way!
Focus Areas: Engineering • Forces & Interaction
Subjects: Biology • Chemistry • Engineering • Environmental Science • Outer Space • Problem-Solving
Dinosaur Discovery (Grades K–4)
Step into the shoes of a paleontologist! Learners compare dinosaur skeletons to animals we know today, study teeth to reveal diets, measure size against everyday objects, and even explore dino sounds. Every learner leaves with an experiment to continue the adventure at home.
Focus Areas: Biology • Paleontology • Form & Function
Subjects: Biology • Engineering • Environmental Science • Problem-Solving
Creature Constellations (Grades 1–5)
Have you ever spotted animals in the stars? Learners explore multicultural astronomy, uncover why constellations look the way they do, and discover the stories humans have told about them for centuries. Then, they create their very own constellation to take home!
Focus Areas: Multicultural Astronomy • Patterns • Energy & Matter
Subjects: Biology • Engineering • Environmental Science • Outer Space • Problem-Solving
Ready to schedule?
STEM-by-the-Hour is the perfect way to ignite curiosity in the classroom—all year long! Call our Reservations Team at 412.237.3400 to start planning your science on the road experience.
Science of Health
Help students understand the science of their own bodies in a safe, age-appropriate, and engaging way. Kamin Science Center’s Science of Health program combines expert guidance, interactive visuals, and time for questions, giving learners the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed choices about their health.
- $275 per session (includes up to 30 learners)
- $8 for each additional learner
- 90 minutes, including Q&A
- Virtual programming available
- Includes FREE access to online resources via Brightspace (recorded presentations, lessons, and activities for teachers, students, and parents/guardians)
- Print Science on the Road Offerings
Featured Program
The Wonders of You
Students explore how their bodies grow and change during puberty in this dynamic and respectful program. Using a digital slideshow, Kamin Science Center educators guide learners through key topics, including:
- Human growth and development
- Reproduction
- Gender
- The immune system
The program concludes with a Q&A session, creating a safe, supportive environment for learners to ask questions and deepen their understanding.
Why Schools Choose This Program:
- Trusted by dozens of local districts
- Inclusive, age-appropriate content
- A valuable addition to health science curriculum
Optional Add-On: All About STIs
This additional session takes a closer look at how the immune system responds to germs, with a focus on HIV transmission. Students gain essential knowledge about prevention, immune health, and making safe, informed decisions.
Included with Booking: Online Learning Access
Every Science of Health program includes FREE online resources through Kamin Science Center’s Brightspace platform:
- A recorded presentation for parents/guardians to preview at home
- Classroom lessons and activities for teachers
- Self-paced review tools for learners
These resources extend the impact of the program beyond the presentation, reinforcing confidence and understanding for students, families, and educators.
Curriculum Connections: Human Growth & Development • Heredity • Immune System Function
Subject Area: Biology
Ready to schedule?
Support your students with the knowledge they need to understand their health and make smart choices. Book a Science of Health program today by calling our Reservations Team at 412.237.3400.
Early Learner Programs
At Kamin Science Center, we believe curiosity has no age limit. Our early learner programs are designed to spark joy, wonder, and discovery in even the youngest scientists. Through movement, music, modeling, and play, children connect science to their everyday world, building foundational skills and a lifelong love of learning in a hands-on, inclusive, and fun environment.
- Print Science on the Road Offerings
Program Options & Pricing
Pre-K Assemblies
- $375 for the first session | $175 for each repeat (up to three per day)
- Serves up to 250 learners per session
Pre-K Classroom Programs
- $150 per session | 45 minutes | Serves up to 30 learners
- Available year-round (two-session minimum in April & May)
Babies & Toddlers
- $150 per program (includes two sessions) | 15–40 minutes each
- Serves up to 30 learners
- Available year-round (two-program minimum in April & May)
Featured Early Learner Programs
Amazing Bugs (Pre-K Assembly)
How far can a grasshopper hop? How strong is an ant? Young learners model bug abilities to see just how incredible insects really are. Together, we’ll discover the amazing skills of creatures big and small!
Focus Areas: Biology • Form & Function • Ecosystems • Models
Subjects: Biology • Chemistry • Engineering • Environmental Science • Outer Space • Problem-Solving
Bubble Science (Pre-K Classroom Program)
From giant bubbles to foamy mountains, children explore the shapes, textures, and ingredients that make bubbles stretch, bounce, and grow. It’s hands-on, messy, and full of giggles—the perfect recipe for early science learning!
Focus Areas: Matter & Interactions • Energy • Science & Engineering Practices
Subjects: Chemistry • Engineering • Problem-Solving
Creepy Crawly (Pre-K Classroom Program)
Sing, dance, and wiggle like a bug! Through music and kinetic play, learners discover how insects move and what makes them unique. Each child crafts their own bug antennae to take home, keeping the curiosity going long after the program ends.
Focus Areas: Biology • Form & Function • Ecosystems • Models
Subjects: Biology • Engineering • Environmental Science • Problem-Solving
Pop It (Babies & Toddlers)
Perfect for our tiniest scientists! Through story, song, and playful movement, little learners practice their “popping” skills—popping bubbles, bubble wrap, popcorn, and more. Sessions adapt to attention spans, lasting 15–40 minutes, and are full of joyful moments.
Focus Areas: Five Senses • Fine Motor Skills • Energy & Matter
Subjects: Biology • Chemistry • Engineering • Environmental Science • Problem-Solving
Ready to schedule?
Whether your learners are blowing bubbles, buzzing like bugs, or popping with excitement, Kamin Science Center’s early learner programs are the perfect way to introduce science through play. Contact our Reservations Team to learn more at 412.237.3400.
Portable Planetarium
Pre-K–Adult | $290 for two sessions minimum ($145 per repeat)
Each 45-minute session serves up to 30 learners | Max five sessions per day
Space Requirements: A clear floor space at least 20ft by 20ft with a floor to ceiling clearance of 13ft.
Bring the magic of the Buhl Planetarium anywhere! Step inside our inflatable dome and journey through space with stunning HD projection. From wild weather on distant planets to breathtaking nebulae and black holes, every program is immersive and customizable. Educators can tailor shows to age, interest, and learning goals, ensuring every group has an unforgettable experience.
Looking for shorter, more casual sessions? Ask about our Choose Your Own Space Adventure option! If our large inflatable dome does not fit your needs ask about our flatscreen SkyBox projection system!
- Print Science on the Road Offerings
Show Options
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure (Grades Pre-K–2)
Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu (from Sesame Street® in China) introduce young learners to the Sun, Moon, and stars in this joyful, crosscultural space adventure.
Focus Areas: Astronomy, Global Community | Discipline: Outer Space
What’s Up (Grades K–2)
A fun introduction to stargazing! Learners discover objects they can see in the night sky with the naked eye, no telescope required.
Focus Areas: Astronomy, Patterns | Discipline: Outer Space
World in Motion (Grades K–8)
Explore Earth’s place in the universe and see how our planet connects to the motions of the solar system.
Focus Areas: Astronomy, Earth’s Place in the Universe | Discipline: Outer Space
Planets (Grades 2–6)
Every planet tells a story. Learners compare features across the solar system to understand its history—and its possible future.
Focus Areas: Astronomy, Systems & Models, Stability & Change | Discipline: Outer Space
Moons of the Solar System (Grades 3–6)
Earth’s Moon is just one of many. Learners discover how other moons differ—and why some are almost planetlike.
Focus Areas: Astronomy, Systems & Models, Patterns | Discipline: Outer Space
The Sun (Grades 7–12)
Our star may be ordinary, but it holds extraordinary lessons. Learners dive into solar science and explore its vital role in life on Earth.
Focus Areas: Astronomy, Systems & Models | Discipline: Outer Space
Jupiter and the Galilean Moons (9th–12th)
From Galileo’s 1610 discovery to today’s research, students explore how Jupiter and its moons shaped our understanding of the solar system.
Focus Areas: Astronomy, Patterns | Disciplines: Outer Space, Engineering
SHOP ‘n SAVE® Program
The SHOP ’n SAVE S.E.E.D. (Students Extra Educational Development) program will bring any program listed with this icon to your school at no cost to you. SHOP ’n SAVE has now made it even easier to earn your S.E.E.D. assemblies. Simply go online and designate your school to receive the seeds you earn when you shop–no more collecting paper receipts!
It’s easy as 1, 2, 3:
Step 1: Get a SHOP ’n SAVE Perks Card and register it on the SHOP ’n SAVE website. Part of the registration process will be to designate a school.
Step 2: Swipe your Perks Card each time you shop at SHOP ’n SAVE. Purchases will be automatically added to the linked school’s total, contributing to the goal of 250 seeds per student required to earn educational S.E.E.D. assemblies.
Step 3: When you have accumulated enough seeds, book your assembly!
S.E.E.D. Partners
Registering Is as Easy as 1, 2, 3!
Step 1: Collect the necessary information:
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Program date(s) and time(s)
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Contact and billing information
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Program location
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Group grade level and number of attendees
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Selected programs
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Special needs
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Any questions you may have
Step 2: Call our Reservations Team at 412.237.3400. One of our staff members will answer any questions you may have and schedule your programs. We’ll also explain confirmation and payment procedures. We can even book a field trip or group visit at the Science Center if you’d like!
Step 3: Prepare for some science! A Science Center presenter will arrive at your location at the appropriate time to set up and present your program(s). All you provide is the space and an enthusiastic audience.
Adding a Hands-On Experience Checklist
Before booking a Kamin Science Center Science on the Road (SOR) program, please review the checklist below to ensure you have everything ready:
School Coordinator:
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Serves as main contact for Science on the Road.
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Is present all day and ensures school readiness.
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Communicates with staff and volunteers.
Schedule Submission:
Submit a completed program confirmation sheet and schedule
for the assembly/assemblies and hands-on sessions to SOR@KaminScienceCenter.org at least four weeks before the program date. The schedule should allow for adequate time for program setup and teardown.
Changes finalized three weeks prior; final schedules shared with the SOR educator.
Adventure stations accommodate up to 480 students (Grades 1–8) per day, with a max of 75 per session.
Call 412.237.3400 to discuss options with the Reservations Department.
Volunteers Needed:
12–15 volunteers required for the entire program day.
Volunteers must be 16+ (high school students, parents, grandparents, or teachers).
Volunteers may need security clearances/background checks as required by your school district.
Payment Methods:
Use your email contract as an invoice and mail a check to Carnegie Institute.
Provide a check to the SOR educator on the program day.
Receive an invoice after the program is complete.
Space for Programming:
Most schools use their gymnasium, but we can also use an auditorium, multipurpose room, additional large space, or a combination of spaces that fit within our program needs. Resulting noise levels can be high, so assemblies and stations cannot run at the same time in the same space. As a reminder, no other events are to be scheduled in these spaces from the moment SOR begins setup to the end of program teardown. These areas must be clear during setup and teardown for the safety of staff, students, and SOR equipment.
The room must have approximately 600 square feet of space large enough for a school assembly and ten eight-foot tables (or equivalent tabletop space) for hands-on activities.
A school employee must be available to greet and assist SOR presenters with access to program spaces.
Assembly Attendance:
Adventure Station Maximum Daily Capacity: 480 students per day; groups of 75 or fewer students per hands-on activity session
Assembly Presentation Maximum Capacity: 250 students per presentation
If you have more than 480 students, you must schedule an additional Science on the Road program day.
We tailor each show to the audience’s learning level, so we recommend no more than three consecutive grade levels at each presentation.
What Science on the Road will provide:
Two SOR educators and all equipment for program day
Mandatory training session for the school-provided volunteers
Assemblies and hands-on sessions
Advance communication to confirm program details with site coordinator approximately one week prior to your event
Frequently Asked Questions
How far will Kamin Science Center travel?
Anywhere! We’ve been across Pennsylvania and as far away as Arizona, Nevada, and even California!
Is there a travel charge?
There is no travel charge for programs located within 24 miles of Kamin Science Center or those located within Allegheny County. Other locations have a travel charge that is calculated by mileage. Sites that are far away from Pittsburgh may incur a hotel charge.
What kind of space do you require?
We offer a wide variety of programs scaled to different-sized spaces. Assembly programs work best in a gymnasium or auditorium. STEM-by-the-Hour, Science of Health programs, and classroom-size activities are designed for smaller spaces. Specific requirements for shows can be found on our website. If you’re not sure if the space you have available will work for a particular program, contact us at 412.237.3400 One of our reservation specialists will discuss the possibilities.
What if school is canceled because of weather or for another reason on the day we have scheduled a show?
Please let us know as soon as you learn that school is closed. If you have booked more than one assembly program, or you have added a hands-on experience to an assembly program, and your school has a two-hour delay, we may to cancel the show. We are happy to reschedule for another date. Please note that for schools more than 24 miles away, if we have already traveled and incurred a hotel charge, you will still have to pay our travel and hotel expenses in the event of a cancellation.
Do Science on the Road educators have the appropriate clearances to present in schools?
All Science on the Road educators have a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, and FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
You have some great options, but I’m not sure what’s going to be a good fit for my needs. Can you help me decide?
Of course! Call our Reservations Department at 412.237.3400. Someone from our team will help guide you to the program that fits your time, educational needs, and budget.