School Programs
In-person and online programs and teacher resources to educate and inspire.
A Stellar Resource for Education
Soon after opening in 1935, Griffith Observatory initiated one of the first school visit programs in the region. Generations of Los Angeles-area students have made the pilgrimage up Mount Hollywood on school buses for a one-of-a-kind experience in science education. Whether you are a fifth-grade student attending our in-person school program or our online school program or a teacher seeking resources and unique activities to teach about the universe, Griffith Observatory has something for you.
The Observatory’s fifth-grade school programs are funded by Griffith Observatory Foundation. Join the Foundation in supporting accessible S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs by making a donation today.
Read our 2022-2023 School Program Impact Report.
Fifth-grade In-person School Program
Our signature in-person school program sparks curiosity and wonder in students and helps their teachers bring science to life. Offered for free, the two-and-a-half hour standards-based program transforms students into observers as they experience the exhibits, instruments, and theater presentations guided by talented Observatory staff.
Reservations are open, but most program days are full or have limited capacity. Watch the calendar page for any updates.
Fifth-grade Online School Program
Our interactive, virtual school program is broadcast live to classrooms from Griffith Observatory. Aligned with the fifth-grade standards, each of the four modules addresses a different aspect of observation and is presented by knowledgeable Museum Guides and Telescope Demonstrators. The program’s message is straightforward but profound: if we learn how to observe and do so carefully, we are rewarded with new insight.
Reservations are now open.
Teacher Resources
Whether your class has a reservation for the fifth-grade school program or is just visiting during regular operating hours, we offer resources and activities to make each student’s experience richer and more inspiring.