Education
Explore Bishop Museum and its Exhibits
We offer a variety of educational experiences, allowing you and your students to engage with interactive, hands-on programs, and guided tours in our exhibit spaces.
Online Learning Center
The Bishop Museum team is committed to engaging with learners before, during, and after their visit to the Museum.
Camps
Bishop Museum and Kamaʻāina Kids have partnered to create a special day camp experience at one of Hawaiʻi’s most cherished destinations. Weekly activities include 3 on-site days of theme-based and experiential activities.
Hawai‘i Alive
The Hawai‘i Alive project is a cooperative work led by the Bishop Museum to share resources from our collections, library, and archives with the general public, in accordance with Hawai‘i Department of Education Content and Performance Standards.
Sleepovers
Come spend the night at Bishop Museum! You and your class will go on an exclusive tour through select exhibit halls, see a planetarium show, participate in hands-on activities and sleep amongst the wonders of the Science Adventure Center.
Virtual Field Trip Experiences
Distance doesn’t need to be a barrier to learning about the cultural heritage and natural sciences of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Book a unique and engaging Virtual Field Trip for your school-age learners today!
For a limited time, Virtual Tours are $50 per class (up to 30 students).
Bishop Museum is committed to providing opportunities for educators and learners to engage with its collections and programs by offering this $50 per class price. Call the Bishop Museum Education Department at 808-848-4168 or email us at schoolgroups@bishopmuseum.org for more details.
Culture
What kinds of unique animals live around us in our Island home? I Luna, I Lalo focuses on the Hawaiian animals in our oceans and in our skies. Educators introduce our youngest learners to animals and environments in Hawaiʻi through the beloved mele “Ke Ao Nani” by Mary Kawena Pukui and her ʻohana. Learners will be shown the motions that accompany the mele as educators take them on a fun, exciting adventure!
(30 minutes)
How do we travel across land and sea? Explore different styles of travel in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Our journey will take us through time, across the ocean, and into present-day voyaging practices in Hawaiʻi. Students will work together as a team of “canoe builders” to help construct a model waʻa, and imagine life as a crew of ocean travelers.
(45 minutes)
How do plants provide resources to meet our basic needs? Why do human beings take plants from one place to another? Expand your knowledge of plants found in Hawaiʻi and elsewhere in the Pacific and why they were important to our voyaging ancestors. This program highlights Pacific island canoe plants, farming practices, Native Hawaiian plants, and Bishop Museum’s Nā Ulu Kanu O Kaiwiʻula Ethnobotanical Garden.
(45 minutes)
Let’s have some fun! Students will learn about traditional Hawaiian games like hū (spinning tops), moa paheʻe (sliding darts), ʻulu maika (rolling game), and kōnane (Hawaiian checkers). Together, students will explore physical coordination, critical thinking and strategy, and team spirit in this activity.
(45 Minutes)
Living on an island, where and how do we find all the things we need? Learn about customary systems of Native Hawaiian natural resource management, and how we can access and share resources from mauka to makai. Working together, students will think critically about where specific natural resources occur in Hawaiʻi’s environments, learn about what can be done with them, and how we can ensure those resources are maintained in this interactive virtual program.
(45 minutes)
When we live on an island, how do we make use of all the natural resources we might have? How can these resources be combined to make useful, efficient tools that help us to meet our basic needs? Learn about how the unique natural resources of Hawaiʻi can be utilized to meet our human needs and help support our community in this interactive virtual program.
(45 minutes)
Science
We’ll take your class on an interactive adventure to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). Discover what marine debris is, where it comes from, and how it affects the turtles, birds, and marine life in the NWHI through storytelling, puppetry, and fun games!
(45 minutes)
When traveling to far-off islands, how did the crew of a voyaging canoe know they were near land? This live, interactive experience challenges students to look for clues in the wind, waves, and wings to navigate a canoe to its island destination.
(45 minutes)
Experience the life stages of a volcanic island virtually, through a dramatic interactive multimedia presentation. Students will travel back in time with the character of Kupuna Atoll to remember her life, while exploring the geology of how the Hawaiian Islands form and mature.
(45 minutes)
Currently Unavailable
Take a virtual tour through the solar system, from the Sun to the Kuiper Belt and everything in between! Compare the planets’ environmental characteristics, sizes, and distances from the Sun in this highly interactive program.
(45 minutes)
Planetarium
Students will explore the motions of the sky by observing the Sun, Moon, and stars over a few days and nights. Students will be guided to notice patterns and see that the motions of objects in the sky can be predicted.
(30 minute live experience)
Learn what constellations, planets, and other amazing things can be seen in the skies above Hawai‘i on the night of the presentation, and how to find them. Then your class will be guided through NGSS-driven activities appropriate for your class’s grade.
(45 minutes live experience)
Explore why Hawai‘i is a great place to learn about Earth system science, and discover how NASA satellites help us in our explorations of the planet. Includes a live component for finding the International Space Station on its next pass over Hawai‘i with a star chart.
(25 minute film, 30 minute live experience)
This program puts you on the deck of the voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa as you explore traditional Polynesian navigation. Learn the story of traditional navigation in the Pacific and the recovery of the nearly lost art of traditional wayfinding. Program includes both a live, museum-led section, and a pre-recorded film.
(25 minute film, 30 minute live experience)
Currently Unavailable
Take a virtual tour through the solar system, from the Sun to the Kuiper Belt and everything in between! Compare the planets’ environmental characteristics, sizes, and distances from the Sun in this highly interactive program.
(45 minutes)
Cancellation Policy
The teacher who will be the point of contact on the day of the field trip must sign the Scheduling and Cancellation Policy Form found in the Field Trip Packet, acknowledging he/she has read and understands our policies and rules.
Full payment for the field trip must be made no later than three weeks before the scheduled date of the field trip.
Teacher Advisors
If you are interested in helping to shape the Museum’s efforts to support on and offsite museum education experiences, to advise teacher Professional Development opportunities, and to bridge access between the world of informal and formal education, please consider joining our virtual and/or physical advisory teams.
Please email us at education@bishopmuseum.org
FAQ
- The following rates and programs are valid only for schools in the Hawaiian Islands (Pre-K through 12th grade).
- For other groups, including college groups (from Hawai‘i and elsewhere), K–12 school groups from the continental US, adult groups, and others, please call Bishop Museum Visitor Experience at 808.847.8251 or email Visitor Groups.
- If you are a Hawai‘i-based, Pre-K through 12th grade school, you can make a reservation as follows:
- Fill out our online Virtual Field Trip Form
- We do not accepts phone reservations. All reservations must start with a reservation form which you can find here.
- Please have the following information ready:
- School/School Type
- Three alternate dates
- Contact Person
- Phone/Email
- Number of students
- Grade or Age
- Number of adults
- Arrival and departure time
- Once a reservation request is received, we first confirm the date of your Virtual Field Trip
- Once the date is confirmed with you, we will send an invoice.
- Once payment is received, we will send you a final confirmation with instructions for the day of your Virtual Field Trip, including the Zoom link and instructions., and your payment receipt.
- Full payment for the field trip must be made no later than three weeks before the scheduled date of the field trip.
- We encourage educators to plan trips during the fall and early into the semester for two reasons:
- A large amount of education research shows that field trips aid in motivation, memory, and generating interest in subjects and,
- Because demand is highest after Spring Break.
- At minimum, reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.
- Full payment for the field trip must be made no later than 48 hours prior to the date of your Virtual Field Trip.
- Checks, school purchase orders, credit cards, and cash (must be exact as change is not given) are accepted.
- All Hawai‘i teachers may visit the Museum at no charge any day prior to your scheduled visit to become familiar with the Museum grounds and exhibits. Please contact the Bishop Museum Education Department (848.4168 or schoolgroups@bishopmuseum.org) to set up this visit.
- We strive to balance our field trip visitor experiences with those of our everyday visitors, special events, and public programs. As a result, we cannot book or change field trips within two weeks of the requested date without charging a service fee of $15.00. We may waive this fee under extenuating circumstances.
- Yes. If necessary, you can reschedule your Virtual Field Trip for a later date with at least a two–week notice.
Have questions about our Educational Tours and Activities? Call (808) 847-8251
Be a Part of Our Story
Celebrate the extraordinary history, culture, and environment of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific with a gift to Bishop Museum. As a partner in the Museum’s work, you can help to sustain vital collections, research, and knowledge, and inspire exploration and discovery with a tax-deductible donation.
