On-site & Virtual Field Trips

Taliesin West is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since its inception in 1939, this site has been a unique incubator of innovation. It is often referred to as Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert laboratory.

With a history steeped in pioneering architecture, Taliesin West has been home to artists and creative thinkers of all stripes – architects, engineers, graphic designers, painters, photographers, and dancers. A Taliesin West field trip draws from this diverse and interdisciplinary heritage and ignites the imagination of your students.

Every field trip includes a 1-hour guided tour of the historic spaces of Taliesin West AND a 45-minute learning lab.

To book a field trip please fill out our online Field Trip Request Form

We strive to make our historic site available to everyone – particularly students in historically underserved communities. Through the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Community Access Program, Title One schools can attend a field trip for free. Contact us at education@franklloydwright.org for additional information about financial support and an application.

Please email us at education@franklloydwright.org with any questions or to book a field trip.

 


ON-SITE FIELD TRIP

Each of our field trips consists of a guided tour and an on-site learning lab of your choosing.

Architectural Tour | Grades K-12

schedule

Offered September  1 – May 13

Duration

1 hour (2-3 hours with Learning Lab add-on)

Price

$10 per student (1 adult for every 10 students is admitted free of charge, 1:1 aides are always free)

During this 1-hour tour, trained education staff will share the history of Taliesin West with students. Students will learn how Frank Lloyd Wright took inspiration from nature and designed the most unique and beautiful structures of the 20th century.

Experience Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West through the lens of experimentation and innovation. Discover why Wright called this his “desert laboratory”. This tour leverages STEAM elements to discuss architecture, building techniques, environment, and the concept of learning by doing.

Learning Lab add-on – This tour pairs well with the Building with a Purpose and Building Bridges educational labs.

LEARNING LABS

Educators may choose a 45-minute learning lab, where students will participate in a hands-on activity. 

 

 

Building Bridges Lab | Grades 3-8

This STEAM-focused lab employs the engineering design cycle as students design model bridges using K’nex pieces. Through building structural bridges, students will learn about load, span, designing for a purpose, and working with collaborative dynamics like engineers and architects. Students will also see examples of Frank Lloyd Wright’s bridge designs as well as images of bridges from around the world.  

The History and Art of Blue Prints Lab | Grades 3-12

During this lab, students will learn the 170-year history of blueprints. We will discover why architects used this technique to reproduce building plans and how the same process can be used to create botanical art today. Students will get to create their own art to take home, using a process called cyano-typing.  

 

Architecture Math Mayhem | Grades 4-7

During this math-focused lab, students will learn the architectural principles involved in designing their own site plans. They will explore the mathematical concepts of scale and how to calculate the area of a building. Students will then play a game to practice the mathematical concepts they have learned.

FIELD TRIP FAQ

How do I book a field trip?

Please start the field trip booking process by filling out our online Field Trip Request Form

A staff member will then respond in 2 business days to confirm details.

What is included in a Taliesin West field trip?

Every field trip to Taliesin West includes a 1 hour guided tour of our “historic core.” During this tour, trained education staff will share the history of Taliesin West with students. Students will learn how Frank Lloyd Wright took inspiration from nature and designed the most unique and beautiful structures of the 20th century.

Teachers may then select one of our learning labs, from the list above. A learning lab is included in the cost of every field trip, free of charge.

What grade levels are Taliesin West field trips for?

The guided tour is appropriate for ages k-12. However, our learning labs are recommended for very specific grade levels, based on the activities and content involved. Please select a learning lab based on the grade level of your students. Questions? Email education@franklloydwright.org.

How much does a field trip cost?

Field trips are $10 per student. 1 adult for every 10 students is admitted free of charge (that adult may be teachers, chaperones, etc.). Any additional adults pay $30 per adult.

1:1 student aides are admitted free of charge.

What should students wear?

Our field trip experiences are both indoors and outdoors. Students should dress for the weather.

Will the Frank Lloyd Wright Store be open?

If your students would like to visit the store, please let our staff know at the time of booking. We will then build that time into your schedule.

How many students can you accommodate at a time?

At this time, we can accommodate groups of no more than 50 students per day. At least 10 students are required to book a field trip.

What time can we arrive?

Field trips must begin before 10:00 am.

How do I book or get more information?
Email: education@franklloydwright.org

VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS

Can’t take your students to Taliesin West? Let our education team bring Taliesin West to you!

Each virtual field trip is approximately 1 hour in length and can be adapted based on the needs of the class.

Virtual field trips are $150 per session, with a maximum of 25 students per session.

Through the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Community Access Program, Title One schools can attend a field trip for free. Contact us at education@franklloydwright.org for additional information about financial support and an application.

Virtual field trips are delivered via ZOOM and require participants to have functioning webcams and microphones.

To inquire about a virtual field trip, email education@franklloydwright.org

We offer two unique virtual lessons to choose from:

Geometry & Architecture Adventure (Grades 2, 3, 4)

This virtual field trip begins with a 3D tour of our UNESCO World Heritage Site and winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West. During the tour, a Museum Educator will give an overview of Frank Lloyd Wright’s life and work, as well as some basic architectural concepts. We will then explore several architectural concepts, such as shape, pattern, symmetry, and asymmetry. Students will then participate in an activity to test the strength of various shapes, using basic classroom objects.

Become an Architect (Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

This virtual field trip begins with a 3D tour of our UNESCO World Heritage Site and winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West. During the tour, a Museum Educator will give an overview of Frank Lloyd Wright’s life and work, as well as some basic architectural concepts. We will then discuss the importance of scale when envisioning, creating, and developing structures. Students will then make a site plan based on these principles.

 


Field Trips at Taliesin West are supported in part by grants from these community partners:

 

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