Tours and Gallery Exploration
All school and public groups may explore the Hiller Aviation Museum’s exhibits on a self-guided basis. Open aircraft cockpits, flight simulation experiences, hands-on exhibits, and more ensure an interactive experience appropriate for any age. Facilitator-led lab experiences may be available in the Invention Lab, Drone Plex, and Flight Sim Zone. Check with Museum staff on arrival to learn what may be available.
Adult groups and school groups Grades 2 and older may optionally add a guided tour to their experience for an additional fee. Intended to highlight the human stories behind the aircraft exhibited at the Museum, each 15-20 minute tour highlights one or more historic aircraft, with school tours including an opportunity to explore inside an aircraft cockpit. Advance reservations are required and an additional fee of $2/person is required at check-in. Tours are available Monday through Saturday mornings only between 10 AM and 1 PM.
Following their tours and any selected hands-on programs, groups are invited to explore Gallery exhibits more closely under the supervision of a teacher or chaperone. Popular exhibits include flight simulators, aircraft cockpits and the Boeing 747. The Museum’s Gift Shop is also open; students and children are required to be accompanied by an adult in the Gift Shop.
How to Schedule Your School Program
1. Determine at least two possible dates for your field trip program.
2. Request your field trip online using the In-Person Field Trip Request form.
- For virtual field trips, please use the Virtual Field Trip Request Form.
3. A credit card on file is required to confirm all reservations, but payment is not due until the day of the program.
Gallery Exploration Resources
Safaris
Exhibit Safaris are “scavenger hunt” style worksheets suitable for an entire class that facilitate additional museum exploration. Safaris correspond with four different exploration themes in an age-appropriate manner. Both student worksheets and teacher answer keys are available for download. Extend the Gallery experience by scouring the Gallery for the answers following a tour experience.
I LOVE the experience my 6th graders get here… the tour (always different & so fun), the simulator (they always love) and today the Drones (so cool)! The best part is the variety of things the students are exposed to. They are learning but they don’t even know it.
Fee Waivers for Eligible Schools: Public K-12 schools with an Identified Student Percentage of at least 30% of students qualified to receive free or reduced price meals under federal guidelines may complete an online request for fee waivers and/or transportation reimbursement. See Fee Waiver page for more details.
Fee Waivers for All: Any public or private K-12 school group visiting on an advanced reservation with 12 or more students may visit the Hiller Aviation Museum at no admission charge at select times during the year under one of the following programs:
- Mondays at the Museum - complimentary student admission to K-12 school groups visiting on an advanced reservation during non-holiday Mondays, September through May. Fees for optional hands-on programs, guided tours, and adult admissions apply.
- Aero Design Challenge - an intensive hands-on engineering experience provided at no student charge. Open to groups of 30+ students, Grades 4-8, November through April, Tuesday through Friday. Adult admissions fees apply.
Reservations must be booked in advance of consideration of any and all school program assistance requests. Waivers automatically apply to all qualified schools.
Contact the Education office at education@hiller.org or (650) 654-0200 x 219 for more information.
