Funding
How schools pay for a Betabox Onsite Field Trip
Last reviewed: October 2026
The short answer. Betabox does not publish a cost on this site, because every plan is different. Most schools pay for Onsite Field Trips with their district budget, and many add federal funds such as Perkins V and Title funds, grants, and local industry partners. You start with a Blueprint, and a Betabox funding strategist helps you cover it. A quick call is the fastest way to a number for your plan.
What your school gets
An Onsite Field Trip brings a 35-foot mobile STEM lab to your school for grades 4 through 12. The lab parks in your lot, and Betabox Guides run every session and bring all equipment and materials. Each session serves one class of up to 25 students for about 55 minutes, and the lab runs 5 to 6 sessions a day, so up to 125 students take part each day. Most schools book 2 to 3 days to reach a full grade.
Step 1: Make a Blueprint
A Betabox Blueprint is your plan for Betabox: the schools, the number of days, and the dates you want. It gives you something concrete to share with your district, grant makers, and partners. Your Blueprint is what gets funded.
| School | Days | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Middle School | 3 | A week you choose |
| Sample Elementary School | 2 | A week you choose |
Step 2: Start with your budget
Most plans start with the district or school budget. If you already have a grant or budget that covers part of your Blueprint, tell us. We call this a matching request. We start from what you have and focus the funding work on the remaining gap.
Step 3: Use federal funds where they fit
Many districts can use Perkins V funds for career exploration in the middle grades and high school, and Title funds can also pay for visits. Your local plan and your state rules decide what is allowed. Our guide to Perkins V and Title funds explains how districts match an Onsite Field Trip to each source.
Step 4: Add grants and local partners
Your funding strategist finds the grants your Blueprint fits and leads outreach to local businesses. You do not have to sell to local businesses yourself. Your part is mostly approving the plan, sharing the campaign, and hosting a launch moment. Plan on about an hour a week, plus one launch event. Betabox handles outreach, the campaign page, scheduling, logistics, and the final report.
What happens if only part of the plan gets funded
Funded days go on your calendar. Days that do not fund by the deadline are not scheduled, and you are not charged for them.
CareerStack™ is included
CareerStack™ is included with district-funded Onsite Field Trips. When a district budget funds at least one Onsite Field Trip day from its Blueprint, the whole district gets full access to CareerStack™.
Next step
Start your funding request or book a district call. You can also check availability, call (330) 789-3289, or email hello@betabox.com.
Betabox is the best fit when
- Your school is in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, or Alabama.
- You want hands-on STEM career experiences for grades 4 through 12 without buses or permission slips.
- You want help building the funding plan, not just a quote.
Another option may fit better when
- Your school is outside the Southeast. Onsite Field Trips are not available in your area yet.
- You need a lab that stays in your building every day of the year. A makerspace or a district-owned trailer may fit better. See mobile lab or makerspace and mobile lab service or district-owned trailer.
- You need a published cost before any conversation. We share a number for your plan on a short call.
Questions about paying for a visit
- How much does an Onsite Field Trip cost?
- We do not publish a cost on this site, because it depends on your schools, days, and dates. Build a Blueprint, and we will give you a number on a short call. Most schools combine their budget with federal funds, grants, and local partners.
- Can we use Perkins V funds?
- Yes, in many districts. Perkins V allows career exploration activities for students in the middle grades and high school. Your local plan and state rules decide what is allowed, so check with your CTE director.
- Can Title funds pay for a visit?
- Yes. Title funds can pay for Onsite Field Trips when the visit fits your district's plan for those funds. Your federal programs office makes the final call.
- Do we have to find local sponsors ourselves?
- No. Your funding strategist leads partner outreach and tells you who to contact and how. Your part is mostly approving the plan, sharing the campaign, and hosting a launch moment.
- What if only part of our Blueprint gets funded?
- Funded days go on your calendar. Days that do not fund by the deadline are not scheduled, and you are not charged for them.
- Is CareerStack™ an extra cost?
- No. CareerStack™ is included with district-funded Onsite Field Trips. When a district budget funds at least one Onsite Field Trip day from its Blueprint, the whole district gets full access.