Visiting the Very Large Array

Field Trip Guide

Fees

There are no fees for educational groups to participate in programs at the Very Large Array (VLA).

Transportation Funding

Thanks to generous support from VLA Members, transportation funding is available for K-12 schools to visit the Very Large Array.

Funding is limited and is capped at $1,000 per school, per year. Title I schools have priority. Funds may be applied to district and chartered busing. Funding does not cover gas or mileage for individuals or groups of individual drivers. To apply please submit an application.

VLA School Bus Fund Application
For questions, contact giving@nrao.edu.

Chaperones

Chaperones must be provided for any K-12 in-person visits to the Very Large Array (VLA).

Students must be supervised at all times. The required student-chaperone ratios are:

Pre-K through 3rd Grade: 1 adult for every 5 students
4th through 6th Grade: 1 adult for every 10 students
7th through 12th Grade: 1 adult for every 15 students

Chaperone’s are requested to promote good manners of their group and enforcement of the electronic device policy at the Very Large Array (VLA). They are responsible for staying with the group and keeping students together.

Weather and Walking

The Very Large Array (VLA) is at an elevation of 7,000 feet so visitors should prepare for extreme weather conditions year round. The path for the tours is level and approximately 0.5 miles in length, half of which is unpaved gravel.

Food Considerations

There are no food options on-site at the Very Large Array (VLA). Please plan to bring adequate food and beverages for your group during your visit.

Buses and Parking

If you are arriving in a bus please pull into the first parking lot you see on the right at the building that says “Very Large Array” on it. Your tour guide will meet you there.

Do's and Don'ts

Please familiarize your group with our Do’s and Don’ts while at at the facility

Cancellation

If you must cancel your reserved program, you must do so at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled time.

Contact our Education and Public Outreach office at visitVLA@nrao.edu if you have any questions.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
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