Education

 

CURRENTLY ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR FIELD TRIPS

READY TO LEAD YOUR STUDENTS ON A QUEST TO DISCOVER THE GULF OF MEXICO?

With 90 interactive exhibits, simulators, and theaters, GulfQuest is an educator's dream. From stem to stern, GulfQuest provides unique learning opportunities that will inspire your students from the moment they arrive. Prepare to be impressed by the sheer scope of our facility- we have eight decks of exhibit galleries located throughout a life-sized replica of a container ship. 

 

Our museum is eclectic and interdisciplinary, with content that addresses history, engineering, geography, archaeology, and more. Students can "Take the Helm" of a Coast Guard Cutter in our boat simulator, or make decisions as part of a FEMA hurricane response team in Extreme Storms. Other exhibits encourage students to experiment with knot-tying, balancing cargo, and night-time navigation. Along the way, GulfQuest educators and volunteers will engage your students, giving teaching moments specific to each exhibit.

 

Education is critical to the mission of GulfQuest; we have two state-of-the-art classrooms and offer a variety of PreK-12 programs designed to complement our exhibits. Our lessons align with state standards for science, mathematics, social studies, and language arts for Gulf Coast states (Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi). All booking groups are eligible for free 30-minute classroom sessions taught by trained, credentialed GulfQuest educators. 

 

For information about Pre-K12 Field Trips, please email:

afrost@gulfquest.org 

PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Please make your reservations at least two weeks in advance.

Discounted admission rates are available for groups of 15 or more students

Students (grades K-12)..... $10.00

Pre-K (click for info)..... $10.00

Chaperones...................... $11.00

Teachers.............................Free Admission

Classroom Programs.....Included (optional)

(Classes are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis)

 

• Payment is due upon arrival and should be made out using a school check (you must use a school check for tax exemption purposes). Home School groups may also book field trips; Home School groups, however, are not tax-exempt.
• After booking your trip, you and your fellow grade-level teachers can visit GulfQuest for free upon request! This is an opportunity for you to become acquainted with the museum, explore the exhibits, and plan a structure for your field trip. Just provide your name and the names of the other teachers on your grade level to our reservationist when you book your field trip. You will then need to check in with Visitor Services on the day you choose to visit. You may visit together as a grade-level or individually. This complimentary visit is only available to teachers who will be attending a GulfQuest field trip- it does not extend to family or friends.
• Are you still deciding whether GulfQuest should be your field trip destination? Contact our Education Department – afrost@gulfquest.org – and arrange for a guided tour of the museum.
• Home Schools are not tax-exempt.

SUPERVISING YOUR CREW!

Chaperones are essential. To ensure a positive learning experience, GulfQuest requests that each school group maintains the following chaperone-to-student ratio:

• Preschool – At least one adult per 3 students
• Elementary and Middle – At least one adult per 5 students
• High -- At least one adult per 7 students

 

It can be challenging for large groups to maneuver through our eight decks of exhibit galleries. We recommend that school groups break up into smaller groups led by teachers or chaperones who can facilitate learning experiences and help maintain discipline.

CHARTING YOUR COURSE

Plan on taking about 15 minutes to complete your reservation.

Call 251.208.1039 Mondays through Fridays between 8:30 am. and 4:30 pm. You can also email afrost@gulfquest.org

 

Be ready with the following information:

 

• Preferred date of visit and your arrival time
• Name of school, district, address, and telephone number of school.
• The person in charge of the group and his/her phone number.
• Your grade level and the number of students, teachers, and chaperones attending.
• Plans for lunch. Whether you bring lunch or order lunch, you must reserve space in the lunchroom.

 

We will provide you with the total cost of your visit and a confirmation number. All payments are due upon arrival on the date of your visit. Payments should be made out to GulfQuest.

BOARDING PASSES

Once you book, GulfQuest will send you the following documents via email:

1. Confirmation Statement from our Reservations Department.
2. Itinerary and Museum Map from our Group Sales Department.
3. Optional: Chaperone Contract, Grade-level scavenger hunt, and Pre- and Post-Visit ideas from our Education Department

CHANGING YOUR COURSE

Please inform GulfQuest of any changes at least 48 hours before your visit.

If you must cancel, please contact the reservations office at least one full calendar week before your scheduled visit. Those who fail to provide a week's advance notice are subject to a cancellation fee of $75 or 25% of the total reservation amount, whichever is higher.

 

Notify us if you need to cancel a Classroom Program. GulfQuest educators reserve the right to cancel a class with fewer than ten students. In the event you are running late, please notify us so we can plan accordingly.

FEEDING YOUR CREW

Decide whether to bring your own lunch or order box lunches through Naman's Catering (we'll provide their contact info upon request). Either way, we'll help you reserve a time for your class to eat in our school lunchroom. You also have the option of eating outside in the amphitheater at Cooper-Riverside Park, overlooking the Mobile River.

If you're bringing your lunches, bring them in cardboard boxes with your school name printed on the side. Upon arrival, you will load your lunches on our carts (marked with your school name) and transport them into the building. Once inside, GulfQuest staff will carry your lunch to the lunchroom. The lunches will be delivered to the lunchroom at your designated lunchtime. 

Check Out Our Loot

Be sure to allow some time for your students to browse our museum gift shoppe, Treasures. Treasures offers a wide selection of novelty items that perfectly complement our many interactive exhibits and programs. Nautical themed t-shirts, games, books, models, kits and souvenirs are available for any age and budget.

Arriving at GulfQuest

A greeter from GulfQuest will meet your bus when it arrives. The greeter will direct you to our Group Check-In area. To expedite the process, bring your Confirmation Statement and an exact count of students and adults.

Payment is due upon arrival, and should be made our to GulfQuest. (Payment must be made on a school check in order to be tax exempt.) 

Buses will unload and load in front of GulfQuest. There is limited bus parking on museum grounds except for drop-off and pick-up. Buses may also park at the Mobile Civic Center.