Programming for Schools and Community Groups

Onsite field trips:

Join us for an immersive educational experience at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum! Our onsite field trips are designed to engage students and community members in interactive activities at our downtown San Diego locations.

Every field trip begins with a guided tour of our permanent exhibition, offering a fascinating glimpse into Chinese history and culture. Additionally, you can extend your visit to include a tour of our Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Extension, where we feature rotating exhibitions on various topics throughout the year.

We work closely with teachers and group leaders to customize field trips that align with the interests and needs of your group. We provide tailored support to help schools enrich their ethnic studies curriculum, offering deeper cultural context through our exhibits and hands-on workshops. Our programs are designed with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind, creating a welcoming and engaging experience for all learners.

You can further enhance your visit to our museum with our Classroom Exhibit Presentations (CEPs) or hands-on workshops for an even more in-depth learning experience.

Interested in booking a field trip?
Please email us at education@sdchm.org and provide the following details:

Your name
School or group name
Total number of participants along with their age range or grade level
Let us know if you'd like to include a CEP or hands-on workshop and which topic interests you (see topics below)
Provide 3 preferred dates and times for your visit
If you represent a Title I school and are requesting reduced cost, kindly attach supporting documentation

Field trip FAQ:

We offer tours of our current exhibitions, as well as tours of the Asian Pacific Historic District. We can provide activities, like a scavenger hunt or dig to discovery, to compliment our tours.
All field trips require at least one teacher or chaperone per ten students present at the museum with their group.
Reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance. We can accept up to 30 students per visit, and, when you book your field trip, you will need to provide information about the number of participants, so that we may prepare.
For museum field trips, we charge a $6 per participant fee. The fee includes tours of our exhibitions + 1 hands-on workshop or CEP. If you'd like to include additional activities as part of your visit, we will need to charge an additional materials fee.

Hands-on Workshops

Enhance your field trip or bring our interactive workshops to your site! Our hands-on workshops inspire creativity and curiosity while exploring Chinese cultural traditions. Choose from the following engaging activities:

Calligraphy: Explore the origins of written language as a universal tool for communication. Students can learn to count or practice writing Chinese characters on reusable calligraphy mats.
Fan Making: Discover the significance of fans in Chinese culture, from everyday use to decorative art. Craft and decorate your very own paper fan to take home.
Paper Cutting: Dive into the ancient Chinese folk art of paper cutting. Students will have an opportunity to create their own paper cut-outs.
Zhezhi (Paper Folding): Learn the art of traditional Chinese paper folding. Participants will learn to create various traditional paper shapes.
Chinese Zodiac Crafts: Engage in a fun craft inspired by the Chinese New Year legend. Students will create paper representations of the animal from the current lunar cycle.

To book a hands-on workshop at your location, please email education@sdchm.org and include:

Your name
School or group name
Location of the workshop
Total number of participants along with their age range or grade level
Preferred workshop topic
Provide 3 preferred dates and times
If you represent a Title I school and need reduced cost, please attach supporting documentation

Hands-on Workshops FAQ:

All workshops require at least one teacher or chaperone present for every five participants for the duration of the program.
Reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance.
Generally, we charge an $8 material fee per participant for hands-on activities. We can waive the material fee in cases where schools or libraries provide supplies.
For workshops that take place at a non-SDCHM facility, we will need to charge a $100 instructor's fee to cover travel costs for museum personnel. These charges do not apply to libraries that are part of the San Diego City Public Library System, per the Right of Entry agreement signed with our museum

Classroom Exhibit Presentations

Classroom Exhibit Presentations (CEPs)
We also offer interactive, educator-led presentations to bring the museum’s exhibits to your classroom or community group. Our CEPs feature engaging slideshows and discussions on the following topics:

The Rise and Fall of the First Chinese Emperor
Pre-20th Century Chinese Contributions to Science and Technology
The Art of Chinese Calligraphy
Traditions of the Chinese Lunar New Year
Early San Diego Chinese American History

Each CEP can be tailored for different age groups, from elementary students to adults.

To request a CEP, email education@sdchm.org with the following information:

Your name
School or group name
Location of the CEP (or online)
Total number of participants along with their age range or grade level
Preferred topic
Provide 3 preferred dates and times
If you represent a Title I school and need reduced cost, please attach supporting documentation

Classroom Exhibit Presentation (CEP) FAQ:

Classroom Exhibit Presentations are available Mondays through Fridays
Programs are approximately 60 minutes long and provided via Zoom. If you would like an in-person presentation, we can work to accommodate.
Programs are designed for one class at a time, allowing museum educators to tailor the program according to your students’ needs.
All programs require at least one teacher or chaperone present for the duration of the program.
Reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance.
Virtual CEPs are free for public libraries and schools. We charge a minimum of $60 for delivery of an online CEP to private schools and community groups, such as senior centers, charging $30 for additional topics after the first presentation.
If you would like to request in-person delivery of a CEP at your location, we will require a $100 speaker's fee.