Maryland may be small, but it is packed with big adventures. In the Old Line State, history, nature and culture come alive.
From wandering through forests and wetlands to stepping back in time on battlefields and exploring cultural museums, students can roll up their sleeves and engage in interactive discoveries. Discover stories of people from the past who helped shape the state and nation, along with exciting STEM opportunities. Every corner of Maryland offers different experiences that turn field trips into a memorable journey.
“Science means stepping into the woods and streams, where students let nature become the classroom.”
Baltimore Museum of Industry (Baltimore)
Step back in time during Baltimore’s booming Industrial Revolution at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Situated on the Inner Harbor of the Patapsco River, the museum offers students a chance to experience life as an American growing up in an industrializing city. Operating as more than a museum, students get the opportunity to work, build, and invent like industrial workers who helped shape the city of Baltimore. The History Alive Tour introduces students to different key jobs that shaped the city’s workforce as an industrial harbor and features a live demonstration of machines that were the driving force for industrial growth. Interactive programs such as the Kids’ Cannery, Kids’ Motorworks, and Design It! allow students to envision themselves as industrial workers, learning essential skills tied to the city’s oyster market, assembly lines, electricity, and bridge building. With programs designed for students of all ages and abilities, this museum can support the learning goals of many students and families.
National Museum of Civil War Medicine (Frederick)
Just west of Baltimore, located in Frederick, the National Museum of Civil War Medicine offers the chance to experience what life was like in the medical field during the Civil War. Visitors can step into the shoes of the surgeons and the soldiers whose innovations continue to influence medicine today. The museum features a wide range of artifacts, including the trephine used for brain surgery, which brings Civil War healthcare into real-life perspective. Interactive databases are also available to search for records of patients, missing soldiers and medical personnel, giving visitors the chance to meet those who helped lay the foundation for modern medicine. Through exhibits and biographies, visitors can meet the healthcare heroes of America’s frontlines during the Civil War, both on the battlefield and in hospitals.
Irvine Nature Center (Owing Mills)
Spanning 200 acres of woodlands, wetlands and meadows in Owing Mills, the Irvine Nature Center brings science to life through various programs and experiences for students. Science means stepping into the woods and streams, where students let nature become the classroom with a variety of half-day programs. Sensational Seasons offers a sensory exploration for students to learn about and participate in the natural events of the current season. Students use their senses to explore the environment and discover how animals and humans rely on them for survival. Creature Features invites students to channel their inner zoologist and explore animal artifacts, as well as different habitats, to learn how wildlife adapts to its environment. Wetland Wonders transports students from a classroom to wading through ponds and streams, studying the importance of water quality, biodiversity and their contributions to the Chesapeake Bay.
Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum (Annapolis)
Located in the heart of Annapolis, Maryland’s historic capital, the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum offers an immersive exploration of African American heritage through art, literature and culture. Operated by the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, the museum documents, interprets and promotes African American heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity. Museum on the Move is a traveling exhibition that brings culture and history to students, consisting of various interactive workshops led by a team of educators to meet the diverse needs of students. The museum features a new exhibit, Sacred Spaces, with the work of Jabari Jefferson, which offers viewers an exploration into the power of Black culture and the importance of reflection, empowerment and community.
