Virtual Field Trips
Explore different NASA missions and NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility through one of our virtual experiences!
Virtual field trips are taught live by an informal education specialist at the Wallops Visitor Center and are approximately 30-60 minutes in length. These programs include an interactive presentation, a question-and-answer session, and a hands-on activity using commonly available supplies often found at home and school.
Schedule your Virtual Field Trips
Please review the comprehensive Virtual Field Trip planning guide for more information on eligibility and scheduling a program. The Visitor Center’s virtual field trips can be scheduled at least seven days in advance and as far as 90 days in advance. Virtual field trips are conducted live by a Visitor Center informal educator. Groups must have a minimum of 15 student participants, and educators in the same school or district are encouraged to combine classes virtually, to allow for increased participation. Virtual field trip participants may not be charged a fee to attend the program. Groups interested in scheduling a virtual field trip with the Wallops Visitor Center should review the Virtual Field Trip Planning Guide and follow the scheduling instructions contained in that document.
K-2nd Grade
Our Neighbor the Moon (30 minutes)
What is something up in the sky visible during the day and at night? Something that may be dim or shine bright? What might have a different shape when we look at it on different days? It’s our neighbor, the Moon! Join us on a short 30-minute adventure about the Moon and NASA’s plans to go back and visit. We’ll learn more about our next-door neighbor, have a short Question and Answer session, and we’ll even share some suggestions that you can do in your classrooms!
More information3rd-5th Grade
Moon to Mars (60 minutes)
Why is NASA going back to the Moon and what’s left to discover? How will going to the Moon help astronauts get to Mars? Why do we want to land astronauts on Mars? We’ll answer these questions and more as we explore from the Moon to Mars. Following the discussion, students will create a pocket size scale model of the solar system to better understand some of the challenges we face when exploring other parts of our solar system.
More information6th- 8th Grade
Mission Explorers (60 minutes)
Join the Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center staff to explore how NASA uses robotic spacecraft technology to uncover mysteries within the solar system! Participants will receive a solar system exploration mission, then design their very own spacecraft prototype that will collect data about a target destination!
More information9th- 12th Grade
Explore Flight (60 minutes)
NASA is charged with solving the problems of flight and developing new technology to keep U.S. aviation first in safety, efficiency, and innovation. Join the Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center for this live virtual experience as we uncover how NASA explores the full range of Earth’s atmosphere and achieves flight on Mars! Participants can create and test a paper helicopter along with our informal educator.
More informationOnsite Field Trips
Educators and their groups are welcome to explore in person during onsite field trips to the Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center in Wallops Island, Virginia. Admission to the Visitor Center is free of charge. To notify the Visitor Center of your intended field trip, email wff-nasa-visitor-center@mail.nasa.gov with information about the date of your visit, time of arrival, grade level(s), and number of guests (adults and youth) in your group. Review the Field Trip Guide for more information and self-guided field trip recommendations.
Onsite Self-Guided Field Trip
Explore the exhibits on your own, included in all field trips. Educators and their groups are welcome to explore the engaging exhibits during a self-guided field trip. Current Visitor Center exhibits may include:
- The NOAA Science On a Sphere interactive theater
- Exploring Engineering Design Process with Sounding Rockets
- NISE Network’s Sun Earth Universe Exhibit
- Lunar Surface Exploration Exhibit
- Outdoor Rocket Garden and Observation Deck
Groups may request one Visitor Center educator guided program in advance. Larger groups up to 100 participants may choose from two interactive assembly shows, and smaller groups up to 30 participants may choose from a variety of hands-on programs. Limit one add-on program (assembly show or hands-on activity) per group. See the onsite program options for more information.
Onsite Assembly Shows
Assembly shows are 60 minutes for up to 100 participants. Adapted to the specified grade level of program participants.
Request to add a guided assembly show to your self-guided field trip. Choose from one of the topics below.
1. Explore Solar System & Beyond: Participants explore the origin, components, forces, and scientific exploration of our local solar system “neighborhood” in space.
2. Inquiring Minds: Use your thinking cap to predict what happens in our intriguing science demonstrations and to explain and outcome!
Onsite Hands-On Programs, K-2nd Grade
Select one 60 minute program for up to 30 participants.
Smaller groups can request to add a Visitor Center educator guided hands-on program to your self-guided field trip. Choose from one of the topics below.
1. Stomp Rocket Rumble (forces, motion, technology): Some rockets carry science tools- not scientists- into space! In this program, your budding rocket scientists will explore sounding rockets and basic forces as they build and launch a stomp rocket.
2. Imagination Playground (creativity, motor skills, communication): If your students like to tinker, build and create, they’ll love Imagination Playground! Using oversized dense foam blocks, gears, chutes, and hinges, they’ll work together to explore simple machines and build cosmic creations.
Onsite Hands-On Programs, 3rd-5th Grade
Select one 60 minute program for up to 30 participants.
Smaller groups can request to add a Visitor Center educator guided hands-on program to your self-guided field trip. Choose from one of the topics below.
1. Seltzer Rocket Splatter (forces, motion, chemistry, art): Propel toward the skies as we explore rockets and experiment with fuel rations to maximize rocket altitude! Participants will launch on a goldenrod paper platform, allowing them to create and take a unique art piece home.
2. Parachute Design (inquiry, forces of flight, design, math): Students learn how NASA Wallops Flight Facility tested the latest parachute used to land the Perseverance Rover on Mars, then explore the principles of flight and balancing of forces as they design a parachute that must safely deliver a payload.
Onsite Hands-On Programs, 6th-8th Grade
Select one 60 minute program for up to 30 participants.
Smaller groups can request to add a Visitor Center educator guided hands-on program to your self-guided field trip. Choose from one of the topics below.
1. “Strawkets”: Air Powered Rockets (forces and motion): Explore the basic parts of a rocket and work through the engineering design process to aim for a target using our high-powered straw rocket launchers
2. Rigamajig Engineering Spacecraft Challenge (solar system, engineering, technology): Students work in teams to design and construct a spacecraft set to explore a mysterious location within our solar system.