• We are the first choice for educational National Radio Astronomy Observatory trips.
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  • We are the first choice for educational New Mexico student trips.
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Find out why Educational Destinations is the 1st choice in educational New Mexico group tours

View our 2 minute intro video to see what Educational Destinations can do for your group.

 

The NRAO encompasses multiple observatories—including the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia and the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico—that host thousands of students annually. Its overnight stays at Green Bank allow groups of 10–30 students aged fifth grade and up to fully immerse themselves through telescope operation, lab tours, and hands-on STEM training aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. The VLA site offers self-guided tours, visitor center museums, and virtual workshop access for schools unable to travel.

In addition, NRAO’s summer research and workshops open doors for advanced student engagement. Programs like the REU and the VLA/VLBA Observing for University Classes grant high school and college students the opportunity to conduct original astronomical research using NRAO instruments. These offerings include lectures, team-based data analysis, and mentorship with professional astronomers. Altogether, NRAO’s blend of experiential activities—from high-school field trips to authentic research experiences—makes it an exceptional destination for developing future scientists and engineers.

New Mexico offers a rich education ecosystem for teens, with hands-on STEM workshops, space science programs, environmental design competitions, and interactive museum experiences. Whether groups travel to Albuquerque, Alamogordo, Los Alamos, or Spaceport America, they can dive deep into aerospace, engineering, environmental science, and technology.

 Below are some popular options for your STEM trip. You can also click on the PDF icon for a download of these features.


Educational STEM Opportunities

  • Explore a 25,000 ft² interactive STEAM museum featuring 250+ exhibits—covering physics, engineering, and hands-on experimentation
  • Compete in the Spaceport America Cup, a Rocket-Engineering Competition for College and High School Teams
  • Join the Rocketeer Academy
  • Immersive STEM and Space Exploration Camping Themes
  • Experience the Geologic Beauty of the Gigantic Carlsbad Caverns and the Cavern's 120 Caves
  • From the Bat Flight Amphitheater, Witness the Hundreds of Thousands of Brazilian Free-Tailed Bats as they Emerge from the Caverns
  • Sled Down the White Sands of the World's Largest Gypsum Dunefield
  • Participate in Maker Workshops and Thematic Tutorials Ideal for Teens
  • Enjoy Awesome Hiking Trails, Gorgeous Overlooks, and Petroglyph National Monument Volcanoes
  • Explore Caves Built Right Into the Gila Cliff by the Mogollon Native Americans Over 700 Years Ago
  • Experience Thrilling Snowboarding and Skiing in an Iconic Alpine Ski Resort
  • Discover an Explorable and Visually Expolsive Immersive Art Installation Filled with Technology
  • Enjoy the Peaks and Ridges of Taos Mountain by Horseback
  • View the Legendary Rocky Mountains from the Top of a Volcano
  • Descend Into a Lava-Lined Underworld with fascinating geology and secret ice formations
  • Camp Out Under the Stars at at El Morro
  • Explore a Chain of Dormant Fissure Volcanoes, Volcano Cones, and 1,000 Images Carved by Ancestral Pueblo Peoples and Early Spanish Settlers in One of the Largest Petroglyph Sites in North America
  • Ride through Thick Forests and around Majestic Mountain Tops at an Ancestral Native Peoples Preserve
  • Squeeze Through Small Areas, Scramble Up Rocks, and Climb Beautiful Stones Formations at Canyon Trail
  • Experience Rock Climbing for All Skill Levels
  • Zipline Through the Tall Pines in the Forests
  • Take a Ride to the Skies to the Crest of the Sandia Mountain
  • After your Adventure, Relax in Hot Springs Which are Heated from a Super Volcano

STEM Attractions

  • Spaceport America Cup
  • National Radio Astronomy Observatory
  • New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
  • Museum of Space History
  • NMSU STEM Outreach Center
  • Bradbury Science Museum
  • Spaceport America
  • Explora Science Center
  • New Mexico MESA & STEM-N
  • Carlsbad Caverns National Park
  • Bandelier National Monument
  • El Malpais National Monument
  • Valles Caldera National Preserve
  • Sandia Peak Tramway
  • Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
  • Box Canyon
  • Hidden Treasure Aerial Park
  • Capulin Volcano National Monument
  • El Morro National Monument
  • Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
  • Canyon Trail
  • Pueblo Bonito
  • Wheeler Peak Wilderness
  • Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
  • Shiprock
  • Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area
  • Jemez Hot Springs
  • La Luz Trail
  • Taos Ski Valley
  • Petroglyph National Monument
  • White Sands National Monument

Other Attractions

  • ABQ Biopark
  • International UFO Museum and Research Center
  • Area 51 Museum, Alien Zone
  • Roswell Alien Attraction Autopsy
  • Tinkertown
  • White Sands: Alien Dunescape
  • New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Billy the Kid Museum
  • Taos Pueblo
  • Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway
  • Pecos National Historic Park
  • Chaco Culture National Historical Park
  • Radio Astronomy Observatory
  • Raton Regional Aquatic Center
  • Pillow's Funtrackers
  • Cliff's Amusement Park


Reach out to one of our ED Travel Designers

Let's plan your educational and memorable trip for your students.

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