School Days at The Pavilion: Nov. 8-9, 2023

Take a magical field trip to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion where learning is not only fun, but awe-inspiring and eye-opening!

School Days at The Pavilion is back Wednesday, November 8th and Thursday, November 9th, and this year we have another incredible lineup featuring some of the most acclaimed artists from around the world. Research shows the arts support the development of crucial skills in creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication. The Pavilion believes that putting the arts into the hands of children is the best way to create a lifelong appreciation for learning and a deep inspiration for the arts. Partnering with Texas Children's Hospital-The Woodlands, The Pavilion is able to bring an array of unique elements to School Days this year that provide exciting opportunities for learning through the arts in alignment with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

School Days offers three educational zones - STEAM Station, Creative Corner and Theatre District - via a lottery system, each of which offer interactive hands-on experiences for students! Select classes will be picked to attend an educational zone in lieu of a Main Stage performance. Selections are made via a random lottery system and entries into the lottery are strictly based on class size and grade level. Each zone has a maximum number of students it can accommodate. If you are not selected for a zone by October 12th, your guests will be assigned reserved seats to watch the fun and interactive stage performances.


Download the 2023 Digital Field Trip Guide. The deadline to register for 2023 School Days is October 12, 2023.

Please Note: Registration for Thursday, November 9th has reached max capacity! You may still register for Wednesday, November 8th using the form below.


The beloved act Pirate School: The Science of Pirates! is a refreshing twist on the “Mad Scientist” show meme. Much like the questing citizen-scientists of old, students will explore their own rebellious curiosity for science. How is the wind is made? How did sailors heave and ho such heavy objects? How are navigation, time-telling and map-making all math related? These and other mysteries are revealed and explored during Pirate School: The Science of Pirates! with immersive audience participation and memorable, grade-appropriate and oversized demonstrations! 

Pirate School: The Science of Pirates!

The beloved act Pirate School: The Science of Pirates! is a refreshing twist on the “Mad Scientist” show meme. Much like the questing citizen-scientists of old, students will explore their own rebellious curiosity for science. How is the wind is made? How did sailors heave and ho such heavy objects? How are navigation, time-telling and map-making all math related? These and other mysteries are revealed and explored during Pirate School: The Science of Pirates! with immersive audience participation and memorable, grade-appropriate and oversized demonstrations! 
To the sound of the n’goni, balafon, djembe, naffar, derbouka and dhol, percussionist Kattam invites you to discover Africa, the Middle East and India through rhythm, song and dance! From African rap and desert dance to trance sufi rhythm and Bollywood dance. Accompanied by his monkey, Takoum, Kattam never fails to engage his audience!

Kattam and His Tam-Tams

To the sound of the n’goni, balafon, djembe, naffar, derbouka and dhol, percussionist Kattam invites you to discover Africa, the Middle East and India through rhythm, song and dance! From African rap and desert dance to trance sufi rhythm and Bollywood dance. Accompanied by his monkey, Takoum, Kattam never fails to engage his audience!
  • The Pavilion Event Center 
  • Max Capacity: 120 Students
  • Curriculum Connections: Science, Math, Physical Education, Interaction

Visit Janet's Planet to create your own lunar lander and learn about the solar system. Hop in your rocket and enjoy a wild ride, travel at the speed of thought and learn some fascinating things about our universe! Students are the shining stars of the future of space exploration, science and astounding discoveries. Get excited and curious about the stars and planets and what's really up and out there, because cosmos are truly amazing.

S.T.E.A.M. Station

  • The Pavilion Event Center 
  • Max Capacity: 120 Students
  • Curriculum Connections: Science, Math, Physical Education, Interaction

Visit Janet's Planet to create your own lunar lander and learn about the solar system. Hop in your rocket and enjoy a wild ride, travel at the speed of thought and learn some fascinating things about our universe! Students are the shining stars of the future of space exploration, science and astounding discoveries. Get excited and curious about the stars and planets and what's really up and out there, because cosmos are truly amazing.

  • The Pavilion Event Center
  • Max Capacity: 120 Students
  • Curriculum Connections: Arts, Critical Thinking, Communications, Interaction

Over the past 44 years, Mark Kistler has taught and inspired millions of children to discover their awesome individual potential! In Creative Corner, Mark will expertly guide your students through an extraordinary imagination adventure as he teaches them how-to-draw in 3-D while creating great illustrated stories. Mark is sure to inspire your students to “Dream it! Draw it! Do it!!” in harnessing the power of their imagination to make their life dreams come true!

Creative Corner

  • The Pavilion Event Center
  • Max Capacity: 120 Students
  • Curriculum Connections: Arts, Critical Thinking, Communications, Interaction

Over the past 44 years, Mark Kistler has taught and inspired millions of children to discover their awesome individual potential! In Creative Corner, Mark will expertly guide your students through an extraordinary imagination adventure as he teaches them how-to-draw in 3-D while creating great illustrated stories. Mark is sure to inspire your students to “Dream it! Draw it! Do it!!” in harnessing the power of their imagination to make their life dreams come true!

  • Event Center
  • Max Capacity: 120 Students
  • Curriculum Connections: Theatre Arts, Communication, Interaction

Take a dive under the sea with a theatrical adventure aimed at igniting creativity, supercharging self-confidence and boosting social skills. Unleash your dramatic side and explore various performance techniques including improvisation, character development, creative movement, voice projection, stage direction and more!

Theatre District

  • Event Center
  • Max Capacity: 120 Students
  • Curriculum Connections: Theatre Arts, Communication, Interaction

Take a dive under the sea with a theatrical adventure aimed at igniting creativity, supercharging self-confidence and boosting social skills. Unleash your dramatic side and explore various performance techniques including improvisation, character development, creative movement, voice projection, stage direction and more!

  • Select classes will be picked to attend a hands-on educational zone during a stage performance. Selections are made via a random lottery system and entries into the lottery are strictly based on class size and grade level. On October 12th, registration will close and those schools that have been randomly selected to participate in a zone will be notified via email.

  • Schools are required to reserve and pay for their own busing to and from the venue. Subsidized busing is available for Title I Schools.

  • Please consider the length of time your students will be seated when registering for the field trip. The live performances run approximately 45 minutes each with a small lunch/bathroom break in-between sets.

  • If you need to return to school before the event dismissal time of 1pm, arrangements must be made at least one week before the field trip.

  • Lunch is NOT provided by The Pavilion. Concession stands will be closed. No food or beverages will be sold at The Pavilion during School Days.

  • Please include any accommodation needs when registering.

Important Field Trip Notes

  • Select classes will be picked to attend a hands-on educational zone during a stage performance. Selections are made via a random lottery system and entries into the lottery are strictly based on class size and grade level. On October 12th, registration will close and those schools that have been randomly selected to participate in a zone will be notified via email.

  • Schools are required to reserve and pay for their own busing to and from the venue. Subsidized busing is available for Title I Schools.

  • Please consider the length of time your students will be seated when registering for the field trip. The live performances run approximately 45 minutes each with a small lunch/bathroom break in-between sets.

  • If you need to return to school before the event dismissal time of 1pm, arrangements must be made at least one week before the field trip.

  • Lunch is NOT provided by The Pavilion. Concession stands will be closed. No food or beverages will be sold at The Pavilion during School Days.

  • Please include any accommodation needs when registering.

For additional information or to be included on future emails, contact Ashley Gravois.

For additional information or to be included on future emails, contact Ashley Gravois.

Use the form below to register for School Days. 

Please Note: Thursday's field trip has reached max capacity. We still have space for Wednesday, Nov. 8th!  

Please provide two contacts that will be attending School Days with your school.

Please read the School Days Agreement before submitting your application for School Days at The Pavilion.

Latest News

Latest News