Onsite Programs

Onsite in-person programs are presently available to school, community and cultural groups Tuesday through Friday with prior reservation. Groups must have a minimum of eight people and should not exceed 40 people. To schedule a field trip, or if you need assistance, email GSFC-VisitorCenter@mail.nasa.gov or call 301-286-3978.

The Goddard Visitor Center asks that groups interested in scheduling a facility tour or program make a reservation at least one month in advance.  Currently, security regulations do not permit “drop-in” facility tours by the public.

Current program options are as follows:

• Living and Working in Space, Kindergarten – 4th Grade
  People are living and working in space right now! Participants will discover many of the different ways that scientists, engineers and astronauts have developed to help humans live in space. They will also learn about the parts of an astronaut’s spacesuit and then look at actual food items sent to the International Space Station. 
  This program includes a short Goddard Intro theater presentation and a live interactive presentation with a question-and-answer session. Time can be made either before or after (schedule depending) to explore exhibits.
• Engineering Satellites, 5th – 8th Grade
  Building a satellite takes many steps, requires help from a team, and needs creativity and innovation to make things work. Participants will explore the engineering design process and how scientists and engineers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center use it to solve problems. They will also talk about tools and components of a satellite with demonstrations focusing on infrared light. 
  This program includes a short Goddard Intro theater presentation and a live interactive presentation with a question-and-answer session. Time can be made either before or after (schedule depending) to explore exhibits.

Custom programs may be offered based on availability.

Onsite programs are only available Tuesday through Friday, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with an advance reservation. Weekend tours and programs are not available.

Facility Tours

Facility tours are presently available to school, community and cultural groups. Groups must have a minimum of eight people (this number includes chaperones for a student tour, for example). Group size is recommended to not exceed 25, as spaces for larger groups of up to 50 are limited. Tour participants must be at least 10 years old or in the fifth grade. Depending on which areas are available that day, facility tours visit satellite construction, testing and operations areas. Facility tours are two hours long and also include a guided presentation in the visitor center theater.

Visiting groups should plan to provide transportation (buses/vans) to and from the Visitor Center and the facility buildings. Small groups should plan on providing one large vehicle that holds the entire group plus the tour guide. Free parking is available.

Facility tours, like other onsite programs, are only available Tuesday through Friday, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with an advance reservation. Weekend tours and programs are not available. To schedule a facility tour, or if you need assistance, email GSFC-VisitorCenter@mail.nasa.gov or call 301-286-3978.

Other

Families and small groups wishing to visit the visitor center and explore the exhibit gallery and rocket garden on their own do not need to make reservations.

Foreign nationals from most countries can participate in a facility tour. Security regulations require that the full names, dates of birth, country of origin, passport numbers and passport expiration dates for each foreign national in your group be submitted at least two weeks prior to your scheduled visit. Foreign nationals who do not provide this information in advance will not be permitted on the tour.

The visitor center has no cafeteria, but guests are welcome to bring their own food and eat at any of the picnic tables on the visitor center grounds. There are several restaurants and other food options nearby on Greenbelt Road. Guests may not bring alcohol onto visitor center grounds. Please note that there is no food or drink permitted inside the visitor center.