Education in Motion Magic Springs Education is a crucial component of our society, providing individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their personal and professional lives. While traditional educational settings such as classrooms and lecture halls have long been the norm, there is a growing recognition of the need to explore alternative and innovative forms of education. One such example is Education in Motion Magic Springs, a unique educational method where experiential learning is combined with the thrill of amusement park rides. Education in Motion Magic Springs takes place at the Magic Springs amusement park, creating an environment that is both fun and educational. This approach recognizes that traditional methods of teaching may not engage all learners and that different approaches are needed to reach students effectively. By combining amusement park rides with educational content, Education in Motion Magic Springs seeks to create a dynamic and interactive learning experience.
Build a machine that can hit a ball into a stationary cup.
And that is just the beginning of a field trip that has something for everyone including our Future Tech experience, Art Studio, Makers Space and LEGO- based Math area. Description In the Children s Village, an immersive learning environment sparks the imagination of students as they explore a child-sized community that provides a world of 21st-century learning opportunities in math, science, social studies and more.
By combining amusement park rides with educational content, Education in Motion Magic Springs seeks to create a dynamic and interactive learning experience. One of the key benefits of Education in Motion Magic Springs is that it allows students to actively participate in their own learning. Rather than passively listening to lectures or reading textbooks, students engage with the material through hands-on activities and experiences.
Field Trips
Education is at the heart of The Magic House’s mission! The Museum offers a variety of private hands-on field trip experiences that spark curiosity and encourage students of all ages to become 21 st -century lifelong learners. Each program is adapted to the students’ grade level and aligns with the Grade Level Expectations outlined by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (GLEs); and the Missouri Early Learning Standards (MELs), as noted in program descriptions.
Our content-rich guided field trip programs include private exploration of a designated area of the Museum with the option to stay and enjoy free play throughout The Magic House until noon. Additional public-hour field trips are available after 12:00 pm.
Field Trip Admission Rate
Schools visiting on a reserved field trip will be admitted for a special admission rate, plus teachers are free. A minimum of one adult chaperone is required for every five children.
The Magic House: $7.00 per student and chaperone
MADE for Kids: $6.00 per student and chaperone
Scholarships
The Magic House wants to ensure every child has a Field Trip memory! Through our Access for All initiative funded by generous donors and the Sugar Creek Donor Advised Fund, The Magic House provides free learning experiences to Title 1 schools, as well as schools with 50 percent or more students that qualify for free and reduced lunch. If your school qualifies, please select ‘Scholarship Funded’ when making your online reservations.
Our scholarships cover admission for all participating students as well as the recommended number of chaperones (1 adult for every 5 students). Additional chaperones will need to pay the $7 field trip admission fee.
For additional information contact the Education Department at [email protected] .
The Children’s Village
Grade: Kindergarten – Grade 5
Cost: $7.00 per student and chaperone. Teachers are free.
Capacity: Max 75 students. A minimum of one adult chaperone is required for every five children.
Description: In the Children’s Village, an immersive learning environment sparks the imagination of students as they explore a child-sized community that provides a world of 21st-century learning opportunities in math, science, social studies and more. Each 90-minute program includes an exclusive exploration of the exhibit space and concludes with a classroom-based educational program.
Community Workers ( Kindergarten – Grade 2)
Students explore the concept of community as they take on the roles of engineers, mechanics, doctors, veterinarians and other community members. The Community Workers program features private exploration of the Children’s Village followed by a classroom-based program designed to guide students in creating a model community of their own; determining what roles and institutions are necessary for it to function. Students will also sharpen their map skills as they become city planners and create a map of their brand new community.
GLEs: Social Studies K-2: Geography 5A; Tools and Social Science 7B
Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees ( Grades 3 – 5)
Students earn paychecks, make consumer choices, use teamwork and learn how members of a community depend upon each other during this hands-on financial literacy educational program. Following private exploration of the Children’s Village, students will participate in a guided classroom-based program where they form a “family” and work together to make appropriate personal budget decisions about their wants and needs.
In advance of your Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees field trip, teachers will receive supporting materials necessary to prepare for the fun-filled experience.
GLEs: Social Studies 2-3: Economic Principles 4A; Math 2-3: Data and Statistics A
World Traveler Gallery
Grade: Kindergarten – Grade 5
Cost: $7.00 per student and chaperone. Teachers are free.
Capacity: Max 50 students. A minimum of one adult chaperone is required for every five children.
Description: Invite your students on an educational journey to study abroad, no passport required! The Magic House’s World Traveler Gallery takes students on a 90-minute guided tour to build global awareness and nurture cultural appreciation and understanding. Students will experience immersive environments and explore the daily lives of children from another culture.
Ciao Bambini (September 2023 – May 2024)
In Italy students begin their school day when teachers welcome them with “ciao bambini” which means “hello children”. This school year The Magic House welcomes students to our newest World Traveler Gallery exhibit, where they will be transported to the country of Italy to learn what life is like for children in Italy today. From pizza, pasta and gelato to history, art and architecture, students will explore this timeless country where they will become an archeologist, make an Italian flag, create a mosaic masterpiece, learn some Italian language, and find out why the city of Rome is like lasagna
GLEs: Social Studies K-5: 5.A-F, 6.A-D
School groups in all field trip programs are invited to enjoy free play in the rest of the Museum following their program from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Classic Magic House
Grade: Grades 1 – 5
Cost: $7.00 per student and chaperone. Teachers are free.
Capacity: Max 75 students. A minimum of one adult chaperone is required for every five children.
Description: Classic Magic House takes students on a path of discovery with dozens of exciting and challenging hands-on exhibits including magnetism, light and shadows, the five senses, force and motion and more. As an added bonus, students can check out the new St. Louis City Soccer Exhibit where students can explore the four key components of fitness. Every 90-minute program features exclusive exploration of the Museum’s original three floors of interactive exhibits and a classroom-based educational program.
Featuring the Electrostatic Generator, Bubble Room, Pulleys, three-story Super Slide and more, the Classic Magic House field trip concludes with s a classroom investigation of magnetism, static electricity, forces and more that will cultivate students’ creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
GLEs: Science 2-6: Matter and Energy 2A, Force and Motion 2D, Scientific Inquiry 1A
School groups in all field trip programs are invited to enjoy free play in the rest of the Museum following their program from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
STEAM Center Design Challenge
Grade: Kindergarten – Grade 5
Cost: $7.00 per student and chaperone. Teachers are free.
Capacity: Max 75 students. A minimum of one adult chaperone is required for every five children.
Description: Where can students use a microscope, play with Oobleck, see butterflies in their growth cycle and observe a life size skeleton- in the Science Lab of The Magic House STEAM Center! And that is just the beginning of a field trip that has something for everyone including our Future Tech experience, Art Studio, Makers Space and LEGO- based Math area. Following free exploration, students collaborate on exciting design challenges that meet GLE’s.
Straw Rockets – Kindergarten
Create and launch a rocket that can shoot over a wall.
GLE’s: Science K-5: Motion and Stability: Forces of Interaction; K.PS2.A.1 & 2, Science K-5: Engineering Design B-CNGSS: K-PS2-1, K-PS2-2, K-2-ETS1-1-3
Turn Up the Volume – Grade 1
Design and build a device that makes sound in two different ways.
GLE’s: Science K-5: Wave Properties 1.PS4.A, Science K-5: Information Technologies and Instrumentation
1.PS4.C, Science K-5: Engineering Design 1.ETS1.A-CNGSS: 1-PS4-1, 1-PS4-4, K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3
Roll With It – Grade 2
Design and build a device that can move a car 6 inches without touching it.
GLE’s: Science K-5: Engineering Design 2.ETS1.A-CNGSS: 3-PS2-3,K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3
Tower of Strength – Grade 3
Build a skyscraper using a variety of non-traditional building supplies strong enough to withstand the wind.
GLEs: Science K-5: Engineering Design 3-5A, B&C, Science K-5: Earth and Human Activity 4A & 3B, Science K-5: Energy 4B.2 NGSS: 3-5.ETS1-1, 3-5.ETS1-2, 3-5.ETS1-3, ETS1.A, ETC1.C, ESS3.B, S1, S2, S3, S6, S7
No-Wire Circuit – Grade 4
Create a circuit using household objects, anything but wire, to light an LED bulb.
GLEs: Science K-5: Engineering Design 3-5A, B&C, Science K-5: Earth and Human Activity 4A & 3B, Science K-5: Energy 4B.2
NGSS: 3-5.ETS1-1, 3-5.ETS1-2, 3-5.ETS1-3,ETS1.A, ETS1.B, ETS1.C, 4-PS3-2, 4PS3-4, PS3.B, S1, S2, S3, S6, S7
Hole in One – Grade 5
Build a machine that can hit a ball into a stationary cup.
School groups in all field trip programs are invited to enjoy free play in the rest of the Museum following their program from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Wonder Works
Grade: Preschool – Kindergarten
Cost: $7.00 per student and chaperone. Teachers are free.
Capacity: Max 40 students. A minimum of one adult chaperone is required for every five children.
Early childhood groups will enjoy a 75-minute Wonder Works field trip program. Young children will engage in a developmentally appropriate and discovery-based approach to learning within the STEAM-focused play space designed to support and nurture children’s natural curiosity in their world.
Children will get hands-on with simple machines, explore the science of sand, and interact with the power of air. Children will also have multiple gross motor opportunities featuring a one-of-a-kind climbing structure, spiral slide and an elevated balance beam.
Following exploration of the Wonder Works exhibit space, groups will participate in a classroom-based program where children’s literature is presented with accompanying hands-on learning activities.
MELs: Physical Science 1.a, 1.b, 1.c, 2.b, 3.b, 4.a, 4.c, 4.d; Life Science 1.b, 2.a, 2.b, 4.a; Earth and Space 1.a, 1.b, 1.c, 2.b, 4.a; Measurement 2.a; Physical Development 2.c, 3.a, 3.c; Health 1.c; Speaking/Expressive Language 1.a, 1.b,
Listening/Receptive Language 1.b, 1.d; Reading 1.a, 1.d
School groups in all field trip programs are invited to enjoy free play in the rest of the Museum following their program from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
MADE for Kids Satellite
Grade: Kindergarten – Grade 8
Cost: $6.00 per student and chaperone. Teachers are free.
Capacity: Max 75 students. A minimum of one adult chaperone is required for every five children.
Location: 5127 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
Description: Schedule your visit to The Magic House’s satellite location in the City of St. Louis, MADE for Kids! Students are invited to explore this STEAM-infused makerspace, featuring 7,000-square-feet of interactive learning experiences including four areas: a Makers Workshop, an Artist Studio, a Designer Lab, and an Entrepreneurs Marketplace. Following private exploration of MADE for Kids, students will sharpen their problem-solving skills and engage their creativity as they participate in a grade-level specific design challenge, created to align with Missouri GLEs and support the design-thinking process.
MADE for Kids Design Challenge
Straw Rockets – Kindergarten
Create and launch a rocket that can shoot over a wall.
Turn Up the Volume – Grade 1
Design and build a device that makes sound in two different ways.
Roll With It – Grade 2
Design and build a device that can move a car 6 inches without touching it.
Tower of Strength – Grade 3
Build a skyscraper using a variety of non-traditional building supplies strong enough to withstand the wind.
No Wire Circuit – Grade 4
Create a circuit using household objects, anything but wire, to light an LED bulb.
Hole in One – Grade 5
Build a machine that can hit a ball into a stationary cup.
Middle school challenges available upon request
School groups in all field trip programs are invited to enjoy free play in the rest of the Museum following their program from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Spring Monday Field Trips
Grade: Kindergarten – Grade 5
Dates: April 22, 29 and May 6
Cost: $7.00 per student and chaperone. Teachers are free.
Capacity: Max 75 students. A minimum of one adult chaperone is required for every five children.
Description: Celebrate the end of the school year with a culminating field trip experience at The Magic House! Select Mondays in the spring are reserved exclusively for school field trips from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Groups take a self-directed field trip through the entire 60,000-square-foot Museum exploring hundreds of hands-on exhibits including the Children’s Village, the World Traveler Gallery, the STEAM Center, Bubble Room, the Electrostatic Generator and more. Schools decide on arrival and departure times that fit their schedules. Our Museum Shop will be open limited hours during the day.
School groups in all field trip programs are invited to enjoy free play in the rest of the Museum following their program from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
FAQ
How many chaperones are required for a field trip? One adult chaperone is required for every five children.
Where can buses drop-off and pick-up my group? Buses may pull to the Emerson Education Center entrance for drop-off and pick-up, a staff member will provide direction upon arrival when arriving for a reserved field trip program.
Busses are required to park off-site.
Can our group explore The Magic House after our field trip? School Groups are invited to explore The Magic House following their guided field trip until 12:00 pm. If your field is planning to stay after 12:00 p.m. you will need to book a public hours field trip at an additional cost.
May memberships, passes or coupons be used toward admission for a field trip? Memberships, passes and coupons are for public hour use only and cannot be used during a reserved field trip program.
516 S. Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122
For additional information contact the Education Department at [email protected] .
Whether it's studying the physics behind roller coasters or exploring the history of amusement parks, students gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter by experiencing it firsthand. Additionally, Education in Motion Magic Springs fosters collaboration and teamwork among students. By participating in group activities and challenges, students learn to work together, communicate effectively, and solve problems collectively. These skills are essential for success in the real world, where collaboration and teamwork are often required in professional and personal settings. Another advantage of Education in Motion Magic Springs is that it promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students are encouraged to think creatively and apply their knowledge to real-life scenarios. They may be tasked with designing their own amusement park ride or developing a marketing plan for a new attraction. These practical exercises challenge students to think outside the box and apply their knowledge in a practical and meaningful way. Overall, Education in Motion Magic Springs offers a unique and exciting approach to education. By combining amusement park rides with educational content, students are engaged and motivated to learn. This innovative approach fosters active participation, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. By embracing alternative methods of education, we can create a more dynamic and impactful learning experience for students..
Reviews for "Breaking the Mold: Challenging Traditional Education with Magic Springs"
1. John - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with my experience at Education in Motion Magic Springs. The facilities were run down and in need of major repairs. The exhibits were old and outdated, and there was a lack of educational content. It felt more like a cheap amusement park than an educational institution. Overall, I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a quality educational experience.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high expectations for Education in Motion Magic Springs, but unfortunately, it fell short. The exhibits were poorly maintained and many of them were not functioning properly. The staff seemed disinterested and unhelpful, providing little to no guidance or information about the exhibits. Additionally, the ticket prices were too high for the limited and lackluster experience we had. I would suggest looking elsewhere for a better educational experience.
3. Robert - 2 stars
I visited Education in Motion Magic Springs with my family and was thoroughly disappointed. The exhibits were overcrowded and it was difficult to fully engage with the activities due to the large number of people. The educational content was basic and not particularly engaging for children. Furthermore, the organization and layout of the exhibits were confusing, making it hard to navigate through the park. Overall, I would not recommend this place for a meaningful educational experience.