Field Trips At Gizmo

Looking for a one-of-a-kind field trip experience for your class or out-of-school group? Gizmo offers a variety of options for visiting schools, after-school clubs, scouting organizations, homeschool coops and more. Our purpose for these trips is to inspire curiosity about how things work, and to collaboratively investigate, build, and demonstrate solutions. We’re convinced that hands-on exploration is important for developing students’ independent thinking.

WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW BOOKINGS FOR FIELD TRIPS FOR THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR. RETURN TO THIS PAGE IN AUGUST TO SCHEDULE A TRIP FOR 2023-24. THANKS FOR A GREAT YEAR!

Gizmo is an active community makerspace with several unique considerations -- and options -- for visiting student groups. Prior to booking your field trip, we ask that you review both the Program Options outlined below, as well as our Guide for Visiting Educators. If you have questions not covered on this page or in the guide, please contact Innovative Educator Alayna Utt at alayna@gizmo-cda.org.

Field Trip Program Options

One Stop S.T.E.A.M. Shop

​One Stop STEAM Shop is a series of makerspace field trip experiences adaptable for all learners across the K-12 spectrum. Each option features a making challenge or investigation that combines creative confidence building with standards-aligned learning in one or more STEAM content areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math). At the end, students test, share, reflect and grow in their awareness as learners and makers. Educators work alongside students and Gizmo staff as co-thinkers and co-planners in the creative process.

One Stop STEAM Shop experiences are typically 2.5 hours, including a 30-minute tour and demonstration in the makerspace. Check out our list of available experiences below -- all options are scalable for any age/grade. Detailed descriptions and photos coming soon.
Build Your Dream Home​
Students will be able to design and develop their dream home by using mathematical reasoning, brainstorming and prototyping. Students will create blueprints of their dream homes to then create a scaled down physical model out of wood. This field trip will give kids a chance to use problem solving skills, learn tool safety, and create a hands-on project that they get to take home.
Candy Catapults
Students will be exploring the basics of physics at the makerspace by learning about potential and kinetic energy. With Candy Catapults students will use the engineering design process to design a working miniature catapult. This field trip will allow students to discover what materials will help create a device with precision and accuracy.
Clay Creation: Fossils
What is a fossil? Students will go over different types of species and how they differ! Students will be creating a new kind of species that has similar skeletal structures to an animal they recognize. This field trip will give kids a chance to become an anthropologist and an artist! Using clay and paint as mediums in the makerspace, they will be able to take home their new pet!
DNA Creation
Did you know that our DNA isn't much different from a banana? With this field trip option students will be able to understand the basics of genetics and DNA sequencing! Using microscopes kids will be able to see the double helix ladder for themselves. After exploring DNA students will be able to create a makerspace made DNA example.
Everyday Mathematics: Tessellation Quilt
Hands on learning, visual arts and mathematics put together, how could this be? With our Tessellation Quilt field trip students will have a visual arts experience using different textiles and allows for individual exploration in patterns and shapes. Using geometric skills to create a pattern of their own shows students that math is all around us!
Geometric Woodworking
At our makerspace we have the opportunity to involve STEM with tool basics. Students will be able to design a geometric art piece using basic woodworking tools. Exploring our woodshop and being able to gain a new skill will be a part of the learning experience during this field trip.
Junior Robotics
Junior Robotics is a fun, hands-on activity for students to learn about simple circuits and the power of batteries. We will discover how different sizes, shapes, and weight of materials can change the speed and power of a robot! Using the engineering design process, we will create easy-to-build robots out of recyclable materials that they are able to take home.
Make Your Own Rube Goldberg Machines
Who was Rube Goldberg and why did he create crazy machines? Learn about it and create your own here at Gizmo! After learning about simple machines and how they work, students will apply their knowledge to design a complicated machine to fix a simple problem!
Marble Maze
This field trip explores the idea of balance and engineering. Students will create racetracks for marbles to follow without having human manipulation. We will test and improve designs to see who can have the fastest racetrack with the constraints provided! Will you create the fastest racetrack?
Metal Collage
Students will have an opportunity to bring out their creative side by using metal to create a piece of artwork for their home and their classroom! We will discover the art of cubism and collages to create a masterpiece of our own.
Sewing Circuits
Sewing Circuits is all about integrating electronics into fabrics, utilizing technology and art from STEAM learning. We will use conductive thread and basic electronic components to create a light-up textile project of your choice (headband, bracelet, pins, mini pillow, coin purse -- the possibilities are endless!). 
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Basic familiarity with hand sewing will be helpful for this field trip, but is not required.
Super Bugs
Bugs are EVERYWHERE! So let's learn about them. Insects have characteristics that help them survive almost any environment - kind of like a super hero. Students will combine imagination with reality to create an insect with special adaptions! ​
​Pricing: Gizmo charges a flat rate for One Stop STEAM Shop, based on group size. Title 1 schools, nonprofits, homeschool groups or other schools/organizations working with underserved students are eligible for a subsidized rate. Field trip subsidies are generously supported by our K-12 program sponsors, including the Idaho STEM Action Center and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.
Group Size (# of students)
Cost: Title I schools, nonprofits & orgs serving underserved​
Cost: all other schools & programs​
≤ 12​​
​$60.00
$100.00
13-30
$120.00
$200.00

Field Trips at the Forge

Blacksmithing field trips are offered at Gizmo through our partnership with Fire Iron Forge. Visiting groups of up to 25 students may choose between a 30-minute blacksmithing demo, or a demo plus individual forging experience for each student. Each student will have the opportunity to forge for 5-8 minutes under Blacksmith David's guidance, and leave with a miniature (~3.5 inch) replica sword. Both options include a 30-minute tour of the makerspace.
Pricing:
Demo + Tour (60 minutes): $40.00
Demo + Tour + Forging (1.5 - 2.5 hours depending on group size): $40.00 + $10.00 / student

Special Projects

Occasionally, we receive requests from teachers or organizations looking to utilize the makerspace for a creative project with their students. During these visits, students have the opportunity for hands-on time with tools with support from a staff or community mentor. Proposals for Special Projects Field Trips are evaluated based on staff and tool availability, as well as the overall feasibility of the project in the proposed time frame. If you have an idea for a project you’d like to discuss with our staff, please give us a call at (208) 929-4029.
​Pricing: Special Projects are priced at a flat hourly rate based on group size, plus the cost of materials. Title 1 schools, nonprofits, homeschool groups or other schools/organizations working with underserved students are eligible for a subsidized rate. Field trip subsidies are generously supported by our K-12 program sponsors, including the Idaho STEM Action Center and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.
Group Size (# of students)
Cost: Title I schools, nonprofits & orgs serving underserved​
Cost: all other schools & programs​
≤ 12​​
​$25.00/hr + materials
$40.00/hr + materials
13-30
$50.00/hr + materials
$80.00/hr + materials

Field Trip FAQ

​How far in advance should I schedule my trip?
Field trips must be scheduled a minimum of two weeks in advance; however, we recommend scheduling as far in advance as possible, as this increases the likelihood that we will be able to accommodate your group.
What is the maximum number of students you can host on a field trip?
Gizmo can host groups of up to 30 students, plus accompanying teachers and chaperones. Larger groups may be split and scheduled for back-to-back sessions or on different days. If you are interested in arranging a field trip for a group larger than 30, please note this, along with your scheduling preferences, in the "Anything else we should know?" section of the field trip request form. We will do our best to accommodate such requests, pending the availability of our staff and the flexibility of your schedule.
Is there a place to eat lunch at Gizmo?
Yes. Students may eat lunch/snacks outside the makerspace, either in NIC common areas in the Hedlund Building, or outside on the lawn when the weather is nice. Due to space/clean-up concerns, we do not allow field trip groups to consume food within Gizmo. Student groups should plan to bring lunch as there are no consistent dining options for guests on campus.
What if I need to cancel my trip?
If you need to cancel your trip, please let us know as soon as possible by calling us at (208) 929-4029. Where possible, we will try to reschedule cancelled field trips for a later date, but we cannot guarantee availability.
Additional Questions?
Contact Innovative Educator Alayna Utt at alayna@gizmo-cda.org