2025-2026 Field Trip Season 

*** Unfortunately, due to current funding concerns we will not be able to accept more requests at this time. We hope to continue with these special events in the future. Please keep an eye on this page for updates. For any questions, please contact outreach@ligo-la.caltech.edu ***

LIGO in Livingston Louisiana offers field trips on a daily basis Tuesday to Friday.  LIGO's Science Education Center is a unique field trip opportunity that allows students to interact with scientists and engineers doing real science, and to experience hands on science through our interactive exhibit hall.

Vacuum packing

Time:  Field trips vary in length from 2 - 3 1/2 hours.  During the summer we only offer 2 hour field trips.

• 2 hour field trips consist of a tour and time visiting our exhibit hall which consists of 50 interactive science exhibits (a mini-science museum)!
• 3 - 3 1/2 hour field trips consist of the tour,  exhibit hall time, classroom activity  & time to eat lunch if across lunch time.  Choice of classroom activities are listed in the field trip form below.

Cost:  There is no cost (yes, the field trip experience is FREE)

Lunches:  Students/Schools & adults must bring their own lunches with them to LIGO as there are no facilities to buy lunches on-site!!!

Number of students:  We can currently accommodate up to 64 students in a single day for a field trip that includes a classroom activity (staffing dependent).  If additional capacity is needed, we will review your request and discuss the possibility of spliting the group across multiple days.

Classroom activities

We offer the following classroom activities to support teachers with the curriculum in their classroom. 

• Center of Gravity (5-PS2-1, MS-PS2-2, MS-PS2-4) Students explore balance. 
• Colored Shadows (MS-PS4-2; HS-PS4-1) Students explore with LED lights how light can mix
• Engineering Design (MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-4) Students problem solve different challenges with popsicle sticks
• Magnetism (3-PS2-3; MS-PS2-3; MS-PS2-5; HS-PS3-5) Students explore magnetic properties with various activities
• Pressure Demonstration (MS-PS1-4, HS-PS1-3, HS-PS3-2, HS-PS3-4) Students see various demonstrations that explain components of pressure
• Gravity Spandex Hoops (MS-ESS1-2; HS-PS4-5) Students explore the bending of space-time
• Field Testing Activities Currently, we are testing out two activities that aren't totally polished but might be of use to your students. Pinhole Viewer (MS-PS4-1; HS-PS4-3) explore light through the lens of a model eyeball, and Palm Pipes (MS-PS4-1; HS-PS4-1) explores sound. 

REQUIREMENTS:

• We have limited capacity and recommend 1 adult (teacher or chaperone) per 15-30 children.
• BUSES MUST REMAIN ON SITE DURING THE FIELD TRIP.  LIGO Livingston is in a remote location and is sensitive to vibrations. For the safety of the children and to ensure the proper functioning of LIGO's instruments, buses MUST remain on-site while the school children are at LIGO.
• PRIORITY Scheduling 
  • ​Teachers who attended this past summer's teacher workshops get priority scheduling if they submit their requests by October 1st.