programs

Programs

Educational Programs

Educational Programs

Explora offers over 200 interactive Explorations programs, benchmarked to the New Mexico State educational standards, for schools, homeschool groups, libraries, and community centers. These programs also are offered for adults and seniors.

Each year, Explora facilitates more than 2,200 programs for over 70,000 people from all 33 New Mexico counties and from the surrounding states. Programs take place at Explora, at community sites, or virtually and can be offered in both English and Spanish.

Call the Explora Reservations line (505) 600-6734 for more information.

Semester Programs
Educational Programs

Explora offers over 200 interactive Explorations programs, benchmarked to the New Mexico State educational standards, for schools, homeschool groups, libraries, and community centers. These programs also are offered for adults and seniors.

Each year, Explora facilitates more than 2,200 programs for over 70,000 people from all 33 New Mexico counties and from the surrounding states. Programs take place at Explora, at community sites, or virtually and can be offered in both English and Spanish.

Call the Explora Reservations line (505) 600-6734 for more information.

Semester Programs
In Person Programs
Virtual Outreach Educational Programs
Educational Programs

Current Programs

Semester Programs

Explora is offering educational programs during the semester:

  • Growing a Scientist™:  Preschoolers ages 2½ to 5 and their adult companions make discoveries about science by questioning, experiencing, and investigating.
  • Science to Grow On™:  Children in K-3rd grades make discoveries by questioning, experiencing, and investigating.
  • Engineering Investigators:  3rd-5th graders investigate how things move and use that knowledge to build a series of connected actions.
  • Home School Explorations:  Home school students in grades K-8 will enjoy a semester of weekly experiential science, technology, and art programs.
Learn more on the Semester Programs page

In Person Camps

Ignite your child’s learning with a science-rich camp experience! Explora offers in-person summer, spring, and winter break camps, along with camps during the school year.  Camp options for Pre-K through 12th grade. Visit our camps page for current availability.
Learn more about in person camps

Career Pathways Internship

The primary goal of Explora's Career Pathways Internship (CPI) is to open a gateway for low-income youth to move beyond economic limitations and into intellectually stimulating, personally rewarding employment which serves the community, contributes to Explora's educational mission, and leads to expanded educational and career opportunities.
Learn more about CPI

Educational Programs

Teen Programs

Teacher Professional Developments

Our Teacher Professional Development workshops are hands-on and materials rich! We offer workshops in-person at Explora or at your location. We also host virtual workshops and can send you a kit of materials to participate.

Upcoming Workshops

Email reservations@explora.us for more information or to schedule a workshop for your teachers.

Register for Virtual STEM Nights

Field Trips and Outreach

Email Here to Schedule

Inspire your students through the magic of STEAM!

  • Visit Explora with your students and families through field trips.
  • Bring Explora to you through our outreach program.
  • Join us for programs virtually.
  • Request hands-on STEAM kits to be sent to you.

Click here for Field trip and outreach information and options.

Fill out a Field Trip Request Form

Fill out an Outreach Request Form

Email reservations@explora.us with reservation questions.

2023 Stepping Stones Summit on August 29th from 8:00 am to 3:00pm

The Stepping Stones Summit is brought to you by a partnership of the City of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts and Culture and Explora, and will be an opportunity to learn and share strategies for creating, fostering, and sustaining positive relationships with youth.

The goals of Stepping Stone:

  • Strengthen our collective capacity to implement programs that empower youth to contribute to our community and Albuquerque’s creative sector and cultivate the future leaders of our arts and cultural institutions; and
  • Share resources and tools that enable organizations to sustain and expand their programs.

Participants will actively take part in facilitated discussions. Together, we seek to answer questions such as: What are the key components of your youth development program that contribute to their effectiveness? What types of skills and experiences do you find most important for youth development staff Which types of support services have you found most critical for the teens and young adults you serve?

We encourage organizations to register a team of 2 to 3 staff members for the Stepping Stones Summit.

Register for Stepping Stones Summit

The Science of Kindness

A parent and child are interacting with the "Your Brain on Kindness" exhibit at Explora.September 18, 2024

Explora is proud to have partnered with The Jennifer Riordan Foundation to develop, fabricate, and install a new exhibition called The Science of Kindness at Explora. The Science of Kindness provides a distinctive interactive opportunity for New Mexico families and visitors to explore neurochemistry, psychology, and other science related to the giving and receiving of kindness. It also gives the occasion to experience Jennifer Riordan’s mantra of being kind, loving, caring, and sharing. Numerous hands-on exhibits such as the Make an Emotion kiosk, the ever-evolving Kindness Cactus, and Your Brain on Kindness, a massive interactive neuron model, work together to:

  • Illuminate how scientists in a range of fields study kindness and its effects on the body, mind, and community;
  • Create new, engaging opportunities for families to explore the exchange of kindness with others in compelling ways; and
  • Prompt self-reflection and meta-cognition on how giving and receiving kindness can affect our perceptions of ourselves and our actions toward others.

The 20th NAREA Summer Conference 

June 27-29, 2024

Advocating for the 100 languages as an Educational Right for Children, Families, and Educational Right for Children, Families, and Educators

The 20th annual North American Reggio Emilia Alliance Summer Conference

"Our mission is to build a diverse community of advocates and educators to promote and defend the rights of children, families, and teachers of all cultures through a collaboration of colleagues inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy."

Register on NAREA's website

Scholarship and Stipends to attend NAREA Summer Conference: Application

Sensory Friendly Time at Explora

We’ve dedicated extra time on dates listed below for our guests who
prefer a less sensory-stimulating visit:

  • February 28, 2025, 4:30-6:30
  • May 9, 2025, 4:30pm-6:30pm
  • August 8, 2025, 4:30pm-6:30pm
  • November 14, 2025, 4:30pm-6:30pm

Environment and modifications:
● Limited attendance. Tickets will be available to reserve ahead of time.
● Sensory Kits (noise reduction headphones, fidget objects, timers, social
stories, and more)!
● Noise and light reduction (some exhibits might be turned off).
● Additional calming space for sensory breaks.

Sensory Hours QR Code for Tickets
Reserve tickets here!

Current Programs

Semester Programs

Explora is offering educational programs during the semester:

  • Growing a Scientist™:  Preschoolers ages 2½ to 5 and their adult companions make discoveries about science by questioning, experiencing, and investigating.
  • Science to Grow On™:  Children in K-3rd grades make discoveries by questioning, experiencing, and investigating.
  • Engineering Investigators:  3rd-5th graders investigate how things move and use that knowledge to build a series of connected actions.
  • Home School Explorations:  Home school students in grades K-8 will enjoy a semester of weekly experiential science, technology, and art programs.
Learn more on the Semester Programs page

In Person Camps

Ignite your child’s learning with a science-rich camp experience! Explora offers in-person summer, spring, and winter break camps, along with camps during the school year. Visit our camps page for current availability.
Learn more about in person camps

Career Pathways Internship

The primary goal of Explora's Career Pathways Internship (CPI) is to open a gateway for low-income youth to move beyond economic limitations and into intellectually stimulating, personally rewarding employment which serves the community, contributes to Explora's educational mission, and leads to expanded educational and career opportunities.
Learn more here

National Day of Racial Healing

Explora is proud to partner with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to bring a two-day celebration commemorating the 7th Annual National Day of Racial Healing.

Join us on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 from 7:30pm-9:30pm at Explora for dinner and a watch party of the primetime town hall broadcasts that will discuss the advancement of racial equality through the experiences of healing and collaboration. This event is free, but space is limited, so RSVP to reserve your spot below.

RSVP to the Watch Party Here!

Teens are invited to the Teen Summit on Racial Healing on Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 2:00pm-5:30pm to gather in Explora’s brand new X Studio, share stories and experiences, and enjoy creative activities, as we advance equity together. Registration is required for this free, teens-only event.

Register for Teen Summit

On the evening of Saturday, January 21, all are welcome to join us from 5:30pm-7:30pm for local food trucks, live music, community partners, and hands-on exploration at Explora. No registration necessary for this free event--we hope to see you there!

Educational Programs

Teen Science Café

Teen Science Café is a free event for teens to informally learn about STEAM concepts, engage with local STEAM professionals, and meet other teens.

Our next Teen Science Café is on July 29 from 5:30-7:00pm and is centered around mental health. Join X Studio staff and fellow teens to learn about skills and resources to keep your mental health a priority in your life.

Learn more on the Science Fiesta page

Teacher Professional Development

Our Teacher Professional Development workshops are hands-on and materials rich! We offer workshops in-person at Explora or at your location. We also host virtual workshops and can send you a kit of materials to participate.

Email reservations@explora.us for more information.

Learn more about Explora’s virtual camp offerings

Field Trips and Outreach

Inspire your students through the magic of STEAM!

  • Visit Explora with your students and families through field trips.
  • Bring Explora to you through our outreach program.
  • Join us for programs virtually.
  • Request hands-on STEAM kits to be sent to you.

Email reservations@explora.us for more information.

Family Program Information
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2022 Summit for Early Science Learning 
Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 8:00am-3:00pm

This Summit is for any early childhood educator who is interested in learning how to incorporate STEAM learning in their practice. Help your students and families come to see science, technology, engineering, art, and math as something they CAN DO! We will meet for an opening panel discussion at the ABQ Museum and then break out for hands-on, engaging sessions at Explora and the Natural History Museum that will be full of ideas you can use in your classroom on Monday morning. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

Tickets are limited, get yours now!

Buy tickets here!
Register For Virtual STEM Nights

2022 Reception for Early Science Learning 
Friday, October 28, 2022 from 5:30pm-7:30pm

Join us for a reception at the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum to celebrate STEAM learning in early childhood and network the evening before the 2022 Summit for Early Science Learning. This is a free event, we just ask you to RSVP in advance. 

Space is limited, reserve your spot now!

RSVP here!

This is what STEM looks like!

This is what STEM looks like!

Watch more on our YouTube channel