Rochester Fifth Graders Visit U.S. Bank Stadium

A Gage Elementary class took part in the Vikings Voyage field trip to learn how science applies to football.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football

Rochester Fifth Graders Visit U.S. Bank Stadium

Gage Elementary's fifth grade class took a field trip to U.S. Bank Stadium, hosted by the Minnesota Vikings and the Science Museum of Minnesota. The trip, called "Vikings Voyage," included behind-the-scenes access and time on the field.

Why it matters

The field trip was designed to show students how science applies to football. Gage Elementary was the only school to take part, though the opportunity was open to fifth graders across greater Minnesota.

The only school that took part was Gage Elementary, even though the opportunity was open to fifth graders throughout greater Minnesota. The extraction does not specify the number of students who attended.

The players

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are the NFL franchise based in Minneapolis that co-hosted the Vikings Voyage field trip for local students.

Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota is the St. Paul institution that co-hosted the Vikings Voyage field trip and designed its science-of-football lessons.

The details

Students from Gage Elementary, based in Rochester, took part in the field trip, which included behind-the-scenes access and time on the field. Fifth grader Martell Dunbar Jr. caught a thrown football on the turf, while Kaiyu Vanthavong charged the blocking sleds players use in practice. The students did not meet any current Minnesota Vikings.

Last week, the Gage Elementary fifth grade class visited U.S. Bank Stadium for the Vikings Voyage field trip.

Season Trajectory

The partnership pairs a major professional franchise with a science institution to bring classroom-style learning to the stadium. The Vikings Voyage model connects a pro sports organization's facilities to the state's science education efforts.

Students who attend programs like Vikings Voyage gain access to behind-the-scenes stadium areas that are normally closed to the public. The program is open to fifth graders across greater Minnesota, so schools outside the Twin Cities can apply for similar opportunities.

The takeaway

Programs that link classroom science to professional sports give students a concrete reason to see how the subjects connect. Schools interested in similar experiences can look to partnerships between local teams and museums.