Planning a field trip to the Innovation Barn is easy! Start by reviewing the information in the drop down menus to find the program that best fits your students, group size, and learning goals. We offer a variety of experiences, including in-person and virtual presentations, middle school capstone experiences, classroom programs, and large-group options.

Follow these steps:

1. Explore Your Options
Review the field trip experiences to get an idea of which program may be the best fit for your group.

2. Complete Our Interest Form
Once you have an idea of what you're interested in, fill out our Field Trip Interest Form. The form asks for general information about your group, preferred dates, and the type of experience you're considering. This helps us better understand your needs and makes the scheduling process easier.

3. Schedule a Consultation
At the end of the interest form, you'll have the opportunity to request a consulting meeting with our educator using the calendar link provided in the form. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, talk through your options, discuss your group's specific needs, and work together to get your field trip scheduled.

4. Confirm Your Visit
Once your program and date are finalized, we'll provide the information you need to prepare for your visit. All field trips must be confirmed at least 45 days before your scheduled visit. Changes to your field trip will not be permitted within 30 days of your visit, so please make sure your final group details are accurate before that deadline.

Click HERE to access the interest form

Field trips are scheduled Tuesday through Saturday 8am to 3pm

April Note: Due to high demand during Earth Month, we do not offer holds for April dates, all April field trips must be confirmed by our team and paid for.

Have questions?
If you have a question that isn't answered below or need assistance with the scheduling process, please contact Erica at erica@envisioncharlotte.org

In person field trips at the Innovation Barn for groups of 30 students or less:

Cost is $250 for up to 30 students for one field trip listed below.

Each field trip is 90 minutes.

Eco-Engineers

Reuse Commonly Wasted Items

Subject: Science, Engineering

NGSS: ETS1, ESS3, LS1, LS2

CCSS: MD, OA, W, RI, SL, R

EcoEngineers will learn to REUSE items commonly thrown in the trash. Learn to reuse materials brought to the Innovation Barn such as plastics, glass, cans, textiles, and organics. Students will expand their knowledge of the circular economy and learn about our plastic lab, glass crusher, bailer, and t-shirt projects. In addition, EcoEngineers will use the engineer design process and problem based learning to design and create something new.

Exploring our Environment and Organisms

Subject: Science, Math, Engineering

NGSS: LS1, LS3, LS4, ESS3, PS1, LS2

CCSS: MD, OA, EE, RP, F, G, G.MG, A.SSE,

RL, RI, W

Students will explore gardening, identify living and non-living organisms, and dive deeper to understand their impact on the environment and the circular economy. Students will also engage in hands-on activities involving measurement and problem based learning, all while using sustainable materials.

Scraps to Sustainability

Subject: Science, Math, Engineering

NGSS: LS1, LS2, ETS1, ESS3,

CCSS: MD, OA, RP, NS, SP, G, SCP, G.MG, W, RI

Explore our impact on the environment. Students will learn about food waste, composting, food growing, ecology, and reducing our negative impact on the environment around us. Scraps to sustainability will focus on the influence our soil and gardens have on the success of our community and the circular economy. Students will create healthy compost, enjoy our edible gardens, and observe worms, fish, and bee habitats at the Innovation Barn. Through the engineer design process and problem based learning, students will create sustainable solutions from food scraps, pollinator watering stations, and more.

Rethink the Circular Economy

Subject: Science, Math, Engineering

NGSS: ESS3, ETS

CCSS: MP, RST, WHST

Get the inside scoop on Charlotte’s first in the nation Innovation Barn, a circular economy focused hub. Students will take a tour and explore behind the scenes of the Innovation Barn. Expand their understanding and rethink the way we all have an impact on our community. Help in our mini MRF at the Innovation Barn to sort and learn how our waste in Charlotte is re-circulated. Students will use the engineer design process and problem based learning to create a blueprint that can RETHINK a way the Innovation Barn re-circulates waste to divert it from the Mecklenburg County landfill.

Deputy of Diversion

Subject: Science, Math, ELA, Engineering

NGSS: ESS3, ETS1, LS2

CCSS: MP, SL, RI, W, SL, L, RST, WHST

Learn how to recycle right and become a Deputy of Diversion in partnership with Mecklenburg County’s Wipe Out Waste recycling program. Students will learn about recycling; how it works, why it's important, and how to “recycle right” to divert waste from the landfill. Students will work in teams to become a Deputy of Diversion and make an impact. Each Student will earn a certificate and badge that they can take with them and pledge to educate others to Recycle Right.

Repair and Rewear

Subject: Science, Engineering, Math, ELA

NGSS: ESS3, EST1, LS2

CCSS: MD, G, MP1, SL, RI, W, SL, L, RST, WHST, SL

Join us to repair and rewear our commonly discarded clothes and make an impact on the circular economy. Help divert waste from the landfill and learn how to repair and reuse textiles. Roughly 92 million tons of textile waste is generated each year worldwide. Students will learn their part in repairing clothes that can be worn longer or recirculated back into our community. Walk away with a new design, a new skill, and improve the circular economy with problem based learning.

Planning a visit with more than 30 students? We offer 3 field trip options to make your experience engaging and memorable.

Choose from Eco-Engineers, Deputy of Diversion, or Rethinking the Circular Economy.

Cost is $10 per student

Each field trip is 60 minutes

Our field trips make it easy to meet your learning goals while giving students a fun, interactive experience they’ll never forget.

In this adaptive three-year Capstone Field Trip Series at the Innovation Barn, 6th–8th grade students explore how communities and individuals can drive a zero-waste, sustainable future. Our capstone projects are designed for 6th–8th graders and can be taken at any grade or completed consecutively to build on your learning each year.

Sixth graders explore the fundamentals of the circular economy by examining tipping-point data, comparing linear and circular systems, discovering how their own choices influence a zero-waste future, and learning about green careers and opportunities.

Seventh graders take these concepts further by exploring Envision Charlotte’s Innovation Barn behind-the-scenes and designing their own community-based waste-reduction solutions through the engineering design process. 

By eighth grade, students broaden their perspective to a global scale, linking the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals to the essential needs of food, water, air, and shelter, and developing innovative models for sustainable consumption. 

Aligned with CCSS and NGSS standards, these capstone experiences blend math, science, engineering, and environmental studies, giving students the tools and inspiration to create lasting change. 

Students complete pre-visit and post-visit classroom activities, deepening their understanding and linking the experience to core curriculum. Students will also come in for a half day visit to the Innovation Barn.

Each grade level stands alone, yet builds naturally for schools that want to return year after year. The fee is $20 per student, which includes the visit plus all pre- and post-work materials. 

Lets empower the next generation of sustainability leaders and connect classroom learning to real-world impact!

Choose from our list of educational field trip experiences below. Each option costs $250 per group of up to 30 students and is offered for grades Pre-K through 12th.

Want to create a more in-depth learning day? You can easily combine multiple field trip options:

• 2 field trip options for $500 (per 30 students)

• 3 field trip options for $750 (per 30 students)

• Add a boxed lunch or one of our add ons to customize your visit!

Boxed lunch options available for $12/box purchase - must be ordered in advance

Add a behind the scenes tour of the Innovation Barn for an additional fee

Add an aquaponic deep dive with 100 Gardens for an additional fee (30 students or less only)

In-school sustainability presentations are now available—let us come to you! Skip the bus and bring a 45-minute, assembly-style sustainability presentation directly to your school. Choose from two great field trip options!

Deputy of Diversion, created in partnership with Mecklenburg County’s Wipe Out Waste program, where students learn how recycling works, why it matters, and how to recycle right.

Rethink the Circular Economy, an engaging overview of Charlotte’s Innovation Barn and the principles of the circular economy.

Aligned with NGSS and Common Core standards, these presentations support science, math, ELA, and engineering curriculum goals while inspiring students to rethink waste and their impact on the environment.

Cost: $300 per class of 30

Duration: 45 minute presentation

Grades: K-12

Bring the Innovation Barn to your classroom with a 45-minute virtual sustainability presentation, connecting students with real-world examples of sustainability and the circular economy from wherever they are.

Choose from two great field trip options!

Deputy of Diversion, created in partnership with Mecklenburg County’s Wipe Out Waste program, where students learn how recycling works, why it matters, and how to recycle right.

Rethink the Circular Economy, an engaging overview of Charlotte’s Innovation Barn and the principles of the circular economy.

Aligned with NGSS and Common Core standards, these presentations support science, math, ELA, and engineering curriculum goals while inspiring students to rethink waste and their impact on the environment.

Cost: $250 per class of 30

Duration: 45 minute presentation

Grades: K-12

Where do buses drop off and park?
We provide a map with detailed instructions for bus drop-off and parking to help make arrival as easy as possible.

Can we order lunch?
Yes! Boxed lunches are available for $12 per person and can be ordered in advance as part of your field trip planning.

Are there bathrooms and a place to refill water bottles?
Yes! Bathrooms and a refillable water bottle station are available onsite. We encourage students to bring a reusable water bottle.

When do I need to confirm my field trip?
All visitors must have their field trip confirmed at least 45 days before the scheduled visit. Please make sure your final numbers and other details are accurate, as no changes can be made within 30 days of your visit.

When can field trips be scheduled?
Field trips are available Tuesday through Saturday between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM, based on availability.

Can we add a behind-the-scenes tour?
Yes! You can add a behind-the-scenes tour of the Innovation Barn to your field trip for an additional fee. This is a great option for groups who want to explore more of what happens behind the scenes at the Barn. (small to medium sized groups only)

Can we add an aquaponics experience?
Yes! Groups can add an aquaponics deep dive with 100 Gardens for an additional fee. (small groups only)

Can I book a field trip in April?
April is Earth Month and our busiest time of year for school visits. Because demand is especially high, we only accept confirmed field trips during April. Reservations or tentative holds are not available for April dates. We encourage schools interested in visiting during April to plan well in advance and complete the confirmation process early.