2021 EDITION
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS Tour museums, national parks and laboratories from the safety of home
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EASY TIPS FOR CHARTERING A SAFE MOTORCOACH TRIP DISCOVER LEARN-AT-HOME PROGRAMS OFFERED BY MUSEUMS DEVELOP TEAMWORK SKILLS AT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PARKS
A Premier Travel Media publication / StudentTravelPlanningGuide.com
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2021 EDITION Editorial & Advertising Office 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com www.ptmgroups.com Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com
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Senior Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com Associate Editor – Miles Dobis miles@ptmgroups.com Contributing Writers – Lisa Curtin, Ayumi Davis, George Hashemi, Amanda Landwehr, Dove Rebmann, Zoe Strozewski Director, Design & Production – Lisa Hede lisa@ptmgroups.com
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f there have been any silver linings to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, then one of them has certainly been the growing appreciation for teachers across the world. The ordinary stresses of the job have been compounded with limited face time with students, concerns about classroom safety and uncertainty about the future. However, both educators and students alike have quickly adapted to our new digital normal—a world where lessons and tests are administered over Zoom calls. As an advocate for the student travel industry, we’ve discovered that ingenuity has been applied to field trips as well. The traditional field trip—an opportunity for students to leave their usual classrooms and apply their lessons in a tactile environment—has proven nearly impossible in the current climate. However, museums, parks and universities have continued to educate “digital visitors” through seamless integration of videos, professional Q&As and interactive maps to create “virtual field trips.” Teachers can acquire prepared lesson plans and guide discussions while modules provide students with in-depth experiences unforeseen before the digital revolution. As well, museums and labs have ingeniously designed at-home science experiments to impart lessons about physics, chemistry and art that students can replicate with simple household objects. We shine a spotlight on dozens of these digital field trip experiences in this year’s Student Travel Planning Guide edition, and there are even more to discover on our website. For those who do wish to charter a field trip during these challenging times, our “6 Tips for a Safe and Successful Motorcoach Trip” feature provides guidelines from professional motorcoach organizations on how to safely prevent the spread of COVID-19 on a bus trip. We also explore the growing popularity of adventure parks. These outdoor attractions combine the thrill of an obstacle course with the safety of a nature preserve, and they can teach students important teambuilding and physical fitness lessons in an outdoor environment that is substantially safer than an indoor attraction.
Design & Production Intern – Abbie Wilson The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information is published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts. Student Travel Planning Guide (ISSN 2154-4905) is published annually by Premier Travel Media Inc. 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. Postage paid at Willowbrook, IL and Lebanon Junction, KY. This publication is distributed free to youth group travel organizers and travel suppliers catering to the market. Single copies for all others is $9.95. Send Address Change To: Premier Travel Media, Inc. 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.
FREE
WHITEP APER
Happy Travels, Miles Dobis
This revolutionary whitepaper from Student Travel Planning Guide starts the dialogue about how educators can partner with tourism professionals, public entities and private industry to expose their students to field-based learning opportunities.
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26 contents FEATURES 4 COVID-19 and its Effect on
Student and Youth Travel
How student tour groups and destinations are adapting to the unprecedented travel climate.
6 6 Tips for a Safe and
Successful Motorcoach Trip Ensure your students’ safety and enjoyment during the COVID-19 pandemic by adhering to these easy-to-follow steps.
9 Adventure Parks: The
Ultimate Outdoor Classroom
These attractions encourage students to develop teambuilding skills and physical fitness.
9 VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS 14 Virtual Field Trip Resources Discover the perfect learn-from-home activity from these online portals.
15 Museums in the Classroom Examine priceless art, discover the past and conduct your own experiences through these museum programs. VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP ROUNDUP
18 East
24 Southwest
20 Midwest
26 West
22 Southeast ON THE COVER: Photo courtesy of iStock.com/AnnaStills
Visit studenttravelplanningguide.com for more virtual field trip ideas. STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2021
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COVID-19 AND ITS EFFECT ON STUDENT AND YOUTH TRAVEL
HOW STUDENT TOUR GROUPS AND DESTINATIONS ARE ADAPTING TO THE UNPRECEDENTED TRAVEL CLIMATE 4
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By Lisa Curtin
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or decades, student travel has been gaining momentum, with tour operators opening their doors across the United States to serve the growing population. Educators have been inspired to teach beyond classroom doors, band directors to bring their performance students to entertain new audiences, and dance and sports teams traveling across the country to compete. These opportunities afforded hundreds of thousands of youth to experience the thrill of travel, increase social skills and gain an appreciation for other cultures and ethnic backgrounds. And suddenly, in March of 2020, all this stopped with the pandemic brought on by COVID-19. Back in March, I doubt anyone thought this virus would keep our students out of schools for the remainder of the school year, and for many, change the beginning of the 20202021 school year and the course of travel. As time passed, group leaders were hard-pressed to cancel their tours, with tour operators having no choice but to react. Not only did this affect the tour operators, who in many cases are small business owners, but all those services that are part of the process of operating a successful tour. From motorcoach carriers to the staff member serving a meal to a group, all are affected. The industry simply came to a complete stop. The world, once so big and accessible, now seems very small.
HOW WILL STUDENT AND YOUTH TRAVEL REBOUND? As group leaders cope with the opening of a new school year, focus is rightly placed on providing the best educational model possible. Listening to local news, one certainly knows the model varies greatly from state to state and even within a state. Travel may not be at the forefront of their thoughts, but it does exist. The looming question is: when will group leaders once again feel comfortable traveling? Over the course of the past month, I have been speaking with educators in many disciplines, from teachers to sports directors to school administrators, all
who have traveled with their students or sports teams. There is no doubt that a desire exists to once again be on the road. However, the majority feel the opportunity to introduce the idea to their community will be best served once the current situation settles down, a vaccine is introduced and their hometowns can bear the cost of travel. With many families still affected by unemployment, the best-case scenario in starting to travel again is late spring of 2021 with great confidence in moving forward by fall of 2021. To rebound, families will need assurance of consumer protection and safe travel practices.
SOCIAL OR PHYSICAL DISTANCE? IT IS USED INTERCHANGEABLY, BUT ONE SENDS A POSITIVE MESSAGE. I have twin 15-year-old grandsons who play lacrosse. In July of 2020, donning a mask, I attended a very well-managed lacrosse tournament in Indianapolis. Literally hundreds of young athletes from around the Midwest participated in this tournament, with family members in attendance to cheer them on. The tournament management did a great job of informing the teams in advance of safety precautions, pre-screened hotels before blocking rooms and did away with a few usual gatherings, such as team potluck dinners. Across the field, signs were posted to practice physical distancing, choosing to use the word physical over social. This led to an air of community, compliance and respect for others while allowing social interaction at a safe distance. For the first time since COVID-19 affected our everyday lives, it was encouraging to see so many people in one place complying with tournament management guidance. While the team members did not take a bus to the tournament, local hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions benefited.
ONCE STUDENT AND YOUTH TOURISM REBOUNDS, AND IT WILL, IT MAY LOOK DIFFERENT AT FIRST. In our lifetime we have witnessed other epidemic situations—SARS, Swine Flu and
Bird Flu to name a few. We forget that many people across our country (and with SARS, parts of Canada) were affected by these viruses. Tourism did rebound, and those viruses became distant in our minds. The effect of COVID-19 may be longer lasting, but one day this too will be a distant, albeit historical, memory. Once group leaders are once again ready to travel, and many are itching to do so, a consideration is that communities may be more accepting of local destinations at first, perhaps starting with travel in their own state. There are hundreds of wonderful places to visit in every state, and for many the comfort of being not too far from home (and in most cases, reachable in less than a day’s drive) will give parents the advantage of saying yes to a trip rather than feeling angst. Inherently, parents want to provide their children with opportunities.
SAFETY IS FIRST…BUT DO NOT LIVE IN FEAR. Tour operators know that safety is at the forefront of every group leader’s mind, and safety is the tour operator’s top priority. The same applies for motorcoach operators and the industry as a whole. In speaking with tour operators, many are using this time to revamp their safety protocols and crisis management plans. The entire industry is working together to get youth back on the road, safely, and bring the world back to being an accessible place. We simply cannot live in fear. Life is too short. We have just a blink of time to introduce and inspire a young person to the enriching world of travel and make sure they do not grow up living in fear.
LIFE CHANGES IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE – KEEP BLINKING! Life changes in the blink of an eye! What happened today will change tomorrow. And change is constant. Let us get out and show our students and youth the world, starting close to home then expanding horizons. We all have the power, safely, to open the world back up as soon as possible. ■
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6 TIPS FOR A SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL
STUDENT MOTORCOACH TRIP Ensure your students’ safety and enjoyment during the COVID-19 outbreak by adhering to these easy-to-follow steps
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hen COVID-19 quickly spread throughout the world in March of this year, its effects on the travel industry were incalculable. With personal contact limited and mass transportation all but eliminated, vacations and tourism came to a screeching halt. Fortunately, sectors of the industry have begun to stabilize; tourists are slowly beginning to leave home (particularly for outdoor excursions), public transportation has developed safety protocols and there is a renewed interest in family road trips.
Unfortunately, the motorcoach industry has been slow to recover. “There have really been no bookings in the student market,” says Dennis Streif, vice president of Midwest Bus & Motorcoach Association. “We do foresee a lot of developments in 2021, but for now there are only quotes without bookings.” The current health climate raises tough choices for educators. Should we plan an extended school trip to museums or competitions knowing the risks? Will the significant financial investment result in a
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genuine learning opportunity for students? Student-friendly destinations have more than risen to the task by applying exceptional sanitation in museums, implementing social distancing at band competitions and offering a large array of virtual options for students who are more comfortable staying at home. For teachers who still wish to plan a motorcoach trip, they should know that networks across the United States are implementing safety protocols to ensure the group’s safety. “We’re thoroughly sanitizing the coaches, recommending masks and encouraging social distancing as much as possible,” says Streif. While no school trip in the era of COVID-19 is completely without risk, you can mitigate it by following these helpful tips below. These are not intended as certified medical guidelines, but rather advice for as smooth and stress-free a student travel experience as possible.
1: COMMUNICATION IS KEY Getting approval and an appropriate budget for your off-site trip was already daunting before COVID-19 impacted how we consider group travel. Now, you’ll need to be especially communicative to the school board and your department head when proposing an outing. Before your phone, Skype or Zoom call, develop a detailed action plan that will address parents’ health concerns, and make sure school officials are up-to-date on your itinerary throughout the planning process.
2: DEVELOP A CONTINGENCY PLAN Attraction openings and availability will be fluid for the foreseeable future. You might be planning this trip months in advance, and an additional outbreak or shutdown may occur in the city you intend to visit. In this case, it’s best to develop a backup plan so that your students can remain engaged and safe. You’ll want to verify the refund policies and occupancy
protocols with the hotels and attractions you intend to visit before you book, and if museums have supplementary learning materials, make sure they correspond with exhibits that will be open.
3: SUPPLY YOUR STUDENTS Be sure to include a substantial budget for personal protection equipment (PPE) and hand sanitizer for your students. Make sure that sanitation wipes and hand sanitizer liquid is distributed in individual proportions, and that students bring backup cloth masks in case they lose ones you supply. In addition, dedicate classroom time to reinforcing personal responsibility; if one individual does not comply, they jeopardize the health of everyone on the trip and sacrifice all educational components.
4: VEHICLE PREP While individual charter companies and bus lines will have separate protocols,
exploreGETTYSBURG WITH YOUR GROUP Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center The official start to your Gettysburg visit.
Set the Scene: The film A New Birth of Freedom provides the backdrop for your group’s visit. Call to customize your student group visit. 877-874-2478 GettysburgFoundation.org
Feel the Fury: Sense Pickett’s Charge all around you in the light and sound show of the iconic Gettysburg Cyclorama. Share the Journey: Journey through the events and issues surrounding the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg in the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War. Tour the Battlefield: Visit the legendary landmarks with a Licensed Battlefield Guide.
GROUP DISCOUNTS | BOXED MEALS | DEDICATED GROUP ENTRANCE | BUS PARKING
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confirm that absolute sterilization is achieved before boarding your motorcoach. Drivers should always wear facemasks and gloves before proceeding to wipe down all crucial touchpoints in the vehicle. In addition to obvious surfaces like armrests and handrails, this also includes overhead bin handles, interior windowpanes, footrests and seatbelts. Each time passengers disembark for bathroom breaks or an educational stop, drivers should re-sanitize these surfaces again.
5: SOCIAL DISTANCING The CDC recommends individuals maintain six-foot distances from each other whenever possible. To ensure this, students, teachers and chaperones should not sit immediately next to each other. Instead, limit each row to one person and make sure they sit there for the duration of the trip to eliminate viral spread. Protection can also be achieved by putting up a driver protection barrier or curtain or roping of the first row of the bus
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or moving back the standee line to create more space for the driver. Students should board and exit the motorcoach one at a time and never bunch up, and luggage should be completely removed from the lower deck before individuals retrieve them in an orderly fashion. Reinforce the value of social distancing to your student before and during your trip, and make sure chaperones are upto-date on all school health policies.
6: HOTEL SAFETY: Conduct thorough research before selecting a hotel, which should have publically available safety protocols and substantial ventilation systems. There should only be one student, teacher or chaperone in a room at any given time, and meals should be individually delivered instead of sharing the communal dining area. â–
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The Forge: Lemont Quarries
ADVENTURE PARKS: THE ULTIMATE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
These attractions encourage students to develop teambuilding skills and physical fitness By Miles Dobis & Dove Rebmann
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he ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced educators to consider new and creative ways to energize and deepen their lesson plans. Traditionally, an off-site field trip that could reinforce classroom lessons was the ideal way to students to learn in a practical environment and discover attractions in their local community. However, most classrooms are proceeding with a learn-athome approach, meaning most field trips are relegated to a virtual environment. With students itching to escape their living room and teachers seeking a new way to develop exciting outings, a new kind of attraction has filled the gap: outdoor adventure parks. Usually located in a forest, quarry or field, these elaborate parks consist of climbing walls, zip lines and obstacle courses that integrate into the natural environment. Visitors are encouraged to swing between massive trees, climb rock walls and perfect their balance on harnessed rope bridges. Instead of traditional classroom subjects such as biology or history, students instead learn crucial lessons in teambuilding and collaboration—skills that are more crucial than ever in our virus-fractured society. “While engaging in educational opportunities at the park, students learn to build trust with classmates while encouraging communication and bonding, building a classroom culture of collaboration, and mitigating conflict
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between students,” says Jeremie Bacon, co-founder of The Forge: Lemont Quarries. Across 300 variations of climbing and ropes obstacles, students learn to trust their peers and encourage each other in an outdoor environment that is safer and accommodating to COVID protocol than an indoor museum. ”The outdoors, especially getting active in the outdoors, does offer a multitude of health benefits, but we are also adhering to the following evidence-based strategies to keep our guests healthy while visiting the park” says Bacon. These outdoor parks aren’t just limited to team-building activities. The combination of natural environments and exercise ensures these attractions can be integrated into a physics, environmental science or physical education curriculum. The following parks are just a sampling of these ingenious and student-friendly attractions:
THE FORGE: LEMONT QUARRIES Lemont, IL Recently featured in Forbes, this park in Lemont, Illinois has quickly become the biggest adventure park in North America. With eight obstacle towers, each with up to 10 obstacles, two children’s towers, rock climbing and zip lines over 1,000 feet long, this adventure park has enough for the whole family. They also offer paddle sports, mountain biking and hiking trails, laser tag and augmented reality escape rooms (outside).
TREE RUNNER ADVENTURE PARK Locations in Michigan and North Carolina With locations in Michigan and North Carolina, Tree Runner Adventure Park is a unique outdoor adventure experience. This aerial obstacle course involves rope courses that take you through the forest in
addition to adult and child ropes courses and ziplines to take you through the trees. Whether you’re looking for a great teambuilding opportunity or just some fun for your family, Tree Runner Adventure Park is for you!
THE RANCH AT ROCK CREEK Philipsburg, MT This all-inclusive ranch experience offers amazing activities and benefits. The Ranch at Rock Creek offers guests the opportunity for horseback riding, fly fishing, sport shooting, archery and ropes courses. Not only this, but they have great spa and dining options. All of this with the opportunity to stay in an authentic ranch cabin lodge.
HOCKING HILLS CABINS Rockbridge, OH Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or a teambuilding adventure, Hocking Hills Cabins offers adventurous activities all year round and for all ages. Guests are able to immerse themselves in the experience with the Hocking Hills petting zoo, salt cave and glass blowing studio. They are also able to spend their day doing some of the most exciting activities, such as ziplining, rock climbing, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking and even ax throwing.
TREEHOUSES Cave Junction, OR What’s one thing that could make a zip line obstacle course even better? Treehouses! Gather your friends and family and take a day trip to zip through the forest, ride horses and go hiking. And don’t forget to stay till the evening to see all the treehouses lit up!
THE ADVENTURE PARK AT SANDY SPRING
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Sandy Spring, MD If you find yourself in Maryland needing an adventure, the Sandy Spring Adventure Park is for you! The largest outdoor obstacle course in Maryland, this aerial adventure park has over 14 obstacle
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courses, 200 climbing and ziplining elements, adult- and children-specific courses and lit-up night climbing. And be sure to check out their calendar to see their special once-a-month events!
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Gaylord, MI This outdoor adventure park has fun activities for the whole family all while operating from a family-owned business. Guests can experience go-karting, mini golf, fishing, kayaking, paddle boating and more. They also offer themed weeks for guests to come dressed up and experience seasonal adventures.
ADVENTUREWORKS Locations in Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas With locations in Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas, Adventureworks aims to provide families and groups the opportunity to zipline through the wetlands, forests and hot springs. Spanning over different terrains, guests are able to zipline through the park and
The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
go through various obstacle courses. Some locations even offer seasonal events!
climbing and skiing. They even offer cliff and waterfall repelling!
NORTHEAST MOUNTAINEERING
TANDEM BASE JUMPING
Glen, NH While not the typical “adventure park,” Northeast Mountaineering offers great opportunities for guests to experience outdoor adventures. Not only do they offer climbing school classes yearround, they offer daily experiences with mountaineering, hiking, ice climbing, rock
Twin Falls, ID Also while not a typical “adventure park,” Tandem Base Jumping will certainly give you the adventure and the experience of a lifetime. With the guidance and help from professional BASE jumpers, guests are able to experience jumping off of the Perrine Bridge in Idaho. ■
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Only in Fairfax County can you step back in time at an 18th century president’s home and then jump into futuristic high-tech STEM lab work all in one day. Chocolate-making classes, G-STEM simulated training and eco-art workshops are just a sample of the hands-on activities that students can expect.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA
WELCOME TO FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA: AMERICA’S CLASSROOM DAY 1 Walk in the footsteps of a president at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Don’t miss your opportunity to serve on Washington’s Cabinet in “The Situation Room Experience.” Students assume the roles of our nation’s first president, his Cabinet, elected officials, foreign ambassadors and Native American leaders and collaborate with classmates handling affairs that impacted international and domestic crises of the time. Next stop is a visit to George Mason’s Gunston Hall. Founding Father George Mason was the architect of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which served as the basis for the U.S. Bill of Rights. Step out of your classroom and into 18th century Virginia to explore the challenge of life in colonial and revolutionary Virginia with an on-site field trip. Next, soak in local Fairfax County art at the historic Workhouse Arts Center. Enjoy artist-led workshops ranging from ceramics, drawing, eco art, theater improv or dance. Wrap up your day at the Workhouse with a thrilling murder mystery dinner that’ll keep you guessing (and laughing) all the way through dessert.
DAY 2
VISIT FAIRFAX Linda Horowitz 703-752-9513 lhorowitz@fxva.com www.fxva.com
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Begin at Fairfax County’s newest museum, The National Museum of the United States Army. Here you’ll discover the connection between the U.S. Army and our society. The Army’s influence on our nation from technology and science to financial and culture is highlighted. At the fully interactive Experiential Learning Center, use a realworld scenario to gain new skills in geography, science, technology, engineering and math (G-STEM) through hightech, simulated Army training. Spend the afternoon soaring through the forests at Go Ape! Zip Line & Treetop Adventure. Take on suspended obstacles, Tarzan swings and epic zip lines that will keep
you challenged and living in the moment. Finish up with an unconventional and off-the-beaten-path round of mini golf at Monster Mini Golf in Chantilly. This 18-hole course is an indoor glow-in-the-dark, monster-themed attraction.
DAY 3 Enjoy a full day of scientific inquiry and learn about cutting-edge technology at Virginia’s largest university by enrollment. George Mason University offers the Global STEM Pathways Program, a hands-on immersive STEM experience for middle, high school and community college students. Learn about emerging STEM careers in areas like forensic science, bioinformatics, climate dynamics, environmental science and geo-information science. Your day will feature a campus tour, faculty meet-and-greet, lab work and a panel session with current George Mason students to investigate real-world scientific problems.
DAY 4 Start your day kayaking on the Potomac River at Riverbend Park. This riverfront park has over 400 acres of forest, meadows and ponds. Explore the many islands in the Potomac River from your kayak while taking in spectacular river views and rich river wildlife. Next, spend quality time with four-legged friends at Roer’s Zoofari. This local favorite is home to Waffles the Giraffe, lemurs, zebras, kangaroos, cheetahs and more. Enjoy feeding and petting sheep, goats, warthogs and many more barnyard favorites on a walking tour. End the day on a sweet note with a chocolate-making class at River-Sea Chocolates. This Fairfax County chocolate factory is family-owned and crafts artisan chocolate from premium quality cacao. Tastings, touring, chocolate making or bar decorating classes are available.
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VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP RESOURCES These websites offer an incredible array of online programs for safe lessons
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useums and institutions across the country are offering a dizzying array of virtual field trip programming, but the sheer number of options can be difficult to navigate. We’ve researched and compiled this short reference guide for websites that offer guideline-approved “digital excursions” that you can integrate into your lesson plan.
DISCOVERY EDUCATION Funded by the world-famous Discovery Channel, this incredible online resource contains of dozens of free virtual field trip packages that consist of video modules, lesson rubrics and in-class instructions for distance learning. Subjects range from women in STEM to sports science, and activities can be altered in difficulty and length to accommodate all K-12 grade levels. Popular “field trips” include “Nuclear Reimagined” (which includes a virtual tour of the Idaho National Laboratory, “Dig Into Mining” (where students learn the geological and ecological impacts of copper mining) and “The Internet of Things” (which explores conservation through responsible
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internet use). You can also find activities with Discovery’s corporate sponsors such as Toyota’s TeenDrive365, the NFL’s “Play 60” and Boeing’s (FUTURE U ecoAction). www.discoveryeducation.com
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS Providing K-12 teachers with modules for social studies, geography, life science and ancient civilization curriculums, this online resource offers videos that boast stunning photography and engaging narration to supplement your lesson at a nominal fee. The series on ancient civilizations explores the lifestyles of ancient Greeks, Romans and Mayans, the national parks videos expose student to the natural beauty of Yellowstone, Crater Lake and the Grand Tetons, and “How Government Helps Our Communities” teaches the importance of America’s three governing branches. www.virtualfieldtrips.com
EDUCATORS IN VR Looking to immerse your students with groundbreaking virtual reality technology?
This online resource can connect you with VR headset rental companies, offers weekly workshops on how to integrate the technology into the classroom and even headset sanitation tips for a safe experience. Their newsfeed also provides examples of how educators ranging from grade school to college are implementing virtual reality during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. www.educatorsinvr.com
WE ARE TEACHERS Subscribe to this online portal for an immense suite of lesson plans and virtual learning activities that can be applied to a range of subjects and grade levels. Learn how to craft guided at-home chemistry experiments, develop vocabulary using household craft supplies and develop classroom camaraderie with online game suggestions. Subscribers can also access the I-Ready test, which offers suggestions on how to gauge students’ individual math and literacy progress as they learn remotely. www.weareteachers.com ■
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VIRTUAL LEARNING RESOURCES O
rganizing a virtual field trip can be another complicated process during this especially stressful school year. How can you know which museums have created standardsapproved and thorough learning resources that are worth your and your students’ time? Fortunately, we’ve partnered with institutions across the country to spotlight their slate of virtual field trip programming. Whether your students want to discover East Asian art or Transcontinental Railroad History, they can find a virtual tour to fit their interests.
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM 180 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601 Group Sales, groupsales@americanwritersmuseum.org www.americanwritersmuseum.org, 312-374-8790
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hicago—the city that has produced legendary authors such as Gwendolyn Brooks, Saul Bellow and Sandra Cisneros—is also home to the American Writers Museum. The first museum of its kind in the United States, this attraction honors the nation’s literary legends with interactive exhibits and community programs. The museum also offers a suite of virtual experiences for K-12 students, including online exhibits, field trips and author talks. Currently, the museum offers downloadable learning resources to accompany virtual visits to the exhibits “My America: Immigrant and
Refugee Writers Today” and “Frederick Douglass: Agitator.” “My America” explores the influence of modern immigrant and refugee writing in America on our culture, while “Frederick Douglass” celebrates the work of the famous orator and abolitionist. Virtual field trips are a gamebased interaction guiding students through content that explores text recognition, author’s purpose and media literacy. Experiences typically last 45 minutes, but times can be altered to suit specific class needs. To request a virtual field trip, educators can visit the “Education” section of the American
Writers Museum website to complete a registration form. The museum will then confirm a date and time to virtually meet with the class on either Google Meet or Zoom. The museum also hosts the Writer Wednesdays program, which involves authors who are from or write within the Chicagoland area. The program offers students an opportunity to connect with a writer once a week for a 20-minute pre-recorded lesson and a 20-30 minute live Q&A with a published author about the craft of writing.
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BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART 2000 Rev Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35203 Group Sales, 205-328-7850 www.artsbma.org
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ousing one of the most extensive collections in the Southeast, the Birmingham Museum of Art has been exposing students to artists from around the world and takes pride in advocating for local Alabama creators. While many children are beginning their school year from home, the museum’s diverse slate of virtual offerings will allow students to virtually tour exhibits, discover their inner artist and explore the institution’s vast collection all from the comfort of home. Teachers can use the Culture Bridge program, which allows students to experience the museum’s extensive Asian
art collection with videos, interactive graphics and art activities. Want to teach students the basic tenets of Hinduism and Buddhism? Students can explore elaborate renderings of religious sculptures by clicking and learning how faith manifests through symbolism. Want to develop your students’ critical thinking skills? The 5 W’s program curates a lesson around ancient Chinese artifacts by proving curator-led videos, essay prompts, coloring sheets and quizzes that reinforce lessons about military history and spirituality. In addition, art activities that can be printed from home and online puzzles
provide fresh ways for students to discover these rich cultures. Easy search functions on the museum’s website allow teachers select activities based on grade, digital accessibility, Asian region and subject, and comprehensive lesson plans attach multiple disciples to a single object for a comprehensive lesson. Students can also unlock their inner artist at the Studio School, a weekly series of videos where museum staff show how to create watercolor mosaics jewelry and wire sculptures from household objects.
JAMESTOWN-YORKTOWN FOUNDATION PO Box 1607 Williamsburg, VA 23187-1607 Group Reservations, group.reservations@jyf.virginia.gov historyisfun.org/learn/virtual-learning
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amestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown have been crucial education sites for generations. With many districts beginning their year with socially distanced learning, the JamestownYorktown Foundation is offering a variety of virtual learning experiences. Virtual Museum Tours use specially recorded videos of outdoor living-history areas so students can “walk through” re-creations of early America. At Jamestown Settlement, stops include three 1607 ships, a Powhatan town and English colonial fort to learn about the legacies of Jamestown and collision of cultures in 17th-century Virginia.
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School groups can also virtually visit the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to learn about critical battles of the Revolutionary War and its impact on 18th-century life. Students then participate in a 20-minute live facilitated discussion with museum educators. Students can also participate in Exploring the Past: a series of inquirybased programs where classrooms digitally join a Foundation educator using virtual learning platforms like WebEx. Options include “Trending Toward Revolution” (which contextualizes the buildup to war through contemporary social media) and “Early Virginia – People, Places and Things” (which challenges
students to compare modern amenities to food, shelter and clothing of the past). The Foundation also offers History Investigators, which are designed for hybrid learning arrangements. Students develop their critical thinking skills with individual modules before participating in a museum educator-led discussion. Options include “CSI-John Smith” (where students use primary sources to determine if Smith’s famous gunpowder explosion was planned or an accident) and “Against Their Will” (which focuses on how the rich West Central African culture persevered in North America).
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LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City, NJ, 07305 201-200-1000, www.lsc.org
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he Liberty Science Center houses the most technologically advanced planetarium in North America, largest skyscraper exhibit in the world and exotic animals from across the globe. Since many students are beginning their school year at home, the “LSC in the House” program allows them to watch home scientists can conduct experiments, explore the world of LSC’s animals, find amazing movies to watch and get inspired about science and technology without ever leaving the living room. Frequent Facebook livestreams present a variety of planetarium programming that’s modified for a
rectangular screen, and shows can include planet tours, virtual meteor showers and astrology lessons. For biology class, meet one of the animals from the center’s “Eat or Be Eaten” exhibit, which includes turtles, tamarins and parrots. Keepers will demonstrate feeding techniques, natural camouflage and primate communication. Classes interested in the human body can also watch a suite of video programming presented by the Live From Surgery Team. Students can watch a heart transplant, witness a sheep brain dissection and even learn to extract DNA from a strawberry at home.
The Liberty Science Center also understands interactive activities are crucial for students working at home, and they offer several athome experiments that utilize simple household items. “Hot and Cold: Molecules in Motion” demonstrates the relationship between temperature and molecular speed using hot water and food coloring, “Super Strong Shape” shows how dimensions affect physical strength, and “Encompassed by Forces” teaches students to create a compass using a paper clip, magnet and water.
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD MUSEUM 200 Pearl St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503 Patricia LaBounty, 712-329-8307 www.uprrmuseum.org
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ocated in downtown Council Bluffs, Iowa in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum honors the legacy of the Transcontinental Railroad and the communities that developed around it during its construction. As of this publication, in-person experiences are temporarily unavailable, but the museum offers an extensive online resource called “Legacy of the Transcontinental Railroad Virtual Program.” Students grades 3-12 can learn about American frontier history and technological evolution through source materials specifically aimed
at various age groups. Students are encouraged to analyze the clues, consider different perspectives and draw your own conclusions. This two-part program is flexible and adaptable to any method of at-home or in-classroom learning. Students will work with primary source documents specially selected for grades 3-6, 7-9 or 10-12 to understand the history of the Transcontinental Railroad from multiple perspectives. The individual half involves students completing a creative project with primary sources. Students will craft an argument that answers a historical
question about the Transcontinental Railroad and use historical documents to support their interpretation. The group half, conducted with the museum via video chat platform, is about delving deeper into understanding and learning from primary sources. The museum will provide each student with a box containing primary source reproductions and other necessary materials. Resource boxes must be requested at least three weeks in advance and can be picked up or delivered.
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Smithsonian Institution
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS ON THE EAST COAST NOW THAT FIELD TRIPS HAVE ENTERED THE VIRTUAL WORLD, STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE MOST FAMOUS MUSEUMS AND INSTITUTIONS FROM THEIR OWN HOMES. NEW YORK
The Bronx Zoo and Aquarium is now showing live cams of their most popular animal exhibit. The Zoo has live cams of the sea lion exhibit, the Madagascar exhibit and the aquatic bird house exhibit. The Aquarium shows their sea otter exhibit and the shark exhibit. They even have specific live cams showing feeding times! The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the United States and houses over 20 online exhibits.
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Through their virtual field trips, students and art enthusiasts alike can learn about the complete history of the museum, look at famous fashion from throughout the centuries and learn about the art of music. They also offer 360-degree videos of their most famous art pieces. The Corning Museum of Glass has been around since 1951, and is exclusively centered around glass. They are most famous for their narrated glass blowing demonstrations. They are now putting their special guest
Metropolitan Museum of Art
demonstrators and their best glass blowing techniques on their YouTube channel for students and anyone who is curious about the art of glass blowing. MASSACHUSETTS
The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum offers the true Boston Tea Party experience right from the harbor. But the best part is that students can get that experience from anywhere in the world. They offer an entirely virtual experience with historical reenactors
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and a complete reenactment of the tea dumping. They also offer virtual tours of the Boston Massacre Trial, women of the American Revolution, anecdotes from the Boston Tea Party, and adventures at the sea in the 18th century. The EcoTarium in Worcester aims to teach students about natural sciences through hands-on experiences. They offer three different virtual education programs. They offer the animal adaptations program that discusses the evolution and the biofacts of animals. They also have their understanding weather program which discusses the Earth’s systems and climate change. They also have their invisible forces program which discusses forces of motion and energy. PENNSYLVANIA
The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia has only been around since 2017, but it is already making strides in the field. It has an entire virtual field trip experience: tours of the museum, artifacts and documents from the Revolutionary War and classroom kits with vocabulary questions that help students grades 2-8 to learn about the Revolutionary War. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg is an exhibit to teach and tell the stories of the railroads throughout Pennsylvania. The museum holds a world-
class collection, including over 100 railroad cars and locomotives. They have almost 30 online exhibits that allow people to view some of their most popular exhibits. NEW JERSEY
The Morris Museum is the secondlargest museum in New Jersey. Some of the most popular exhibits in the Morristown attraction include fossil and natural science rooms. They are also showing minerals and textiles, a model train room, and a Native American collection. The museum’s website offers a virtual tour of the museum, offering 360-degree views of the exhibits. WASHINGTON, D.C.
A collection of over 30 museums and libraries, the Smithsonian Institution has over 450 online exhibits about art, history, science and nature. The institution has been around since 1864, and it is now attracting a whole new audience with their virtual exhibits. Students can see permanent and specialty exhibits in addition to their most famous art and attractions, including the Alexander Hamilton exhibit that corresponded to the release of the musical Hamilton. VERMONT
The American Precision Museum in Windsor offers many different virtual
Maryland Science Center
experiences for showing the history of precision manufacturing in the United States. They have an orientation film online that goes through the history of the museum, their “Hall of Fame” members and a special behind-the-scenes exhibit that goes through some of the more rare artifacts. MARYLAND
The Maryland Science Center in Baltimore is one of the oldest scientific institutions in the United States. Their mission is to teach people about astronomy, zoology, botany and other natural sciences. This was their inspiration to start their “Science at Home” program, where they post DIY science experiments for kids and students to follow at home. These experiments go through multiple science topics, including physics, engineering, biology and chemistry. MAINE
The Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland is a special year-round exhibit that changes exhibits to feature new and different artists throughout Maine. The center has virtual field trips on its website to show past exhibits. They also feature videos by artists and by the center itself in addition to audio tours available that cover some brief history of the center. DELAWARE
Museum of the American Revolution
The Delaware Museum of Natural History in Wilmington strives to educate students on environmental and animal conservation. Their mission continues when the museum started their online “Delmnh At Home” exhibits and videos. They also post videos of their museum activities for students to watch and follow along. ■ STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2021
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Shedd Aquarium
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS IN THE MIDWEST STUDENTS CAN EXPERIENCE LIVING HISTORY SITES, ZOOS AND NATURAL BEAUTY ALL FROM THE SAFETY OF THEIR HOMES OR CLASSROOMS. INDIANA
Indianapolis Zoo in Indiana is offering a new live video chat program via Google Hangout. Students will have the opportunity to learn about a specific topic from a “zoo educator” and then have a Q&A session at the end of the video chat. Topics include habitats, adaptation, zoo careers, Indiana wildlife, rainforests and penguins. Each session is $50 for 30 minutes and a maximum class size of 35 students. Teachers can customize a session to fit their curriculum with the zoo workers for $75.
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ILLINOIS
For those interested in aquatic life and marine biology, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is offering a variety of virtual field trips for kids grades K-8. Let your students explore the behind the scenes of the aquarium and go into the habitats all from the classroom. Students will be able to interact with aquarium workers and talk with experts and professionals in the field. “Sharks at Shedd” allows students to discover how sharks are identified and feed and even be able to explore the wild reef habitat
Art Institute of Chicago
they live in. Other programs, all 50 minutes long, focus on penguins, turtles and the other animals and habitats of the aquarium. Although students cannot weave down wide silent hallways to experience different periods and expressions of art in person, the Art Institute of Chicago has created an online space where virtually viewing art is still possible. Although much of the pleasure comes from viewing art in person, AIC has put its vast collection of paintings, sculptures and photographs online for students to enjoy. Your
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kids can explore different collections like the famous painter El Greco or scroll through the AIC blog, which has behind-the-scenes articles written by curators and staff. There are even interactive features where people can hear stories about different artworks and the timelines from their creation to preservation. MICHIGAN
For the history buffs, Mackinac State Historic Parks in Mackinac Island has created many virtual programs that allow students to explore and learn about the rich history of the Straits of Mackinac. Students can enjoy online exhibits, videos, readings and other educational materials. There are virtual tours of historic sites like “Fort Mackinac” and “Mackinac Point Lighthouse,” and students can learn about previous battles that happened on the grounds. They even offer movies and a blog that offer more insight into the history of the state parks. MISSOURI
Due to a statewide shutdown of historical sites and museums, The Missouri Historical Society has put together an online program called “History at Home” for families and kids who are still looking to learn about Missouri’s past. There is even a virtual field trip for students called “Panoramas of the City,” which is an online exhibit that presents St. Louis in the past through a series of photographs. Students can immerse themselves in the gallery to discover St. Louis and how it has changed. Additionally, the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis has placed all their exhibits and extensive libraries online for public access. Your students will be able to filter through current and previous exhibits that include pictures, passages and videos about Missouri’s past and the prominent people who made the state—and city of St. Louis—what it is today. Exhibits include “Mighty Mississippi,” which follows the history of the famous river, and “Seeking St. Louis,” which maps out how the city came to be.
includes 360-degree videos, audio recordings and written texts. MINNESOTA WiscoVR
The self-guided tour includes the entire museum and will take your students from gallery to gallery, teaching them the history of the Air Force and major battles and inventions of the past. The tour has arrows that guide them and pinpoints that, when pressed, will give videos or paragraphs of more information. There are even links that can send you to other educational resources. For those interested in the aircrafts, “COCKPIT360” has a gallery of the interiors and exteriors and is available for free at the Apple and Google Play stores. WISCONSIN
WiscoVR, created by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, is a new cutting-edge program that brings a new meaning to what field trips are. By using virtual reality goggles through programs like Google Cardboard, students are able to explore different places across Wisconsin without having to be there in person. Students can go virtual to places like Habelman Brothers Company in Tomah, the largest fresh cranberry farm in the world, to learn about how the fruit is grown and produced. Each virtual field trip
Students can now explore and discover the Mississippi National River and Recreational Area, a 72-mile stretch along the Mississippi River that encompasses 54,000 acres of protected land, from the classroom. Take virtual tours and watch 360-degree panorama videos of the Mississippi Corridor and learn about nature and the species that reside there. Using Goole Earth, students can explore Mill Ruins Park, St. Anthony Falls and Coon Rapids Dam. For more information, students can listen to the “Ranger on Call” audio tours which have interesting stories and facts on the park and river. IOWA
Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines has created new virtual programs that allow kids of all ages to enjoy the zoo from home or the classroom. Teachers can have their students experience a live tour of the zoo with a Blank Park educator who will tell fun and interesting stories while explaining animal habitats. The zoo also offers sessions where students can chat with workers about one of the animals from the zoo. If students are looking to see the animal, there are pre-recorded, and sometimes live, videos where kids can meet animals like alligators, giant rabbits, birds and more. ■
OHIO
The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Riverside, Ohio has created a new virtual tour with a 360-degree camera that allows students to enjoy all angles of the museum from their classroom.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
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Fordyce Bathhouse
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS IN THE SOUTHEAST PLAN YOUR NEXT STUDENT TRIP WITH ONE OF THESE EXCITING VIRTUAL EXPERIENCES. YOUR STUDENTS MIGHT NOT BE MAKING IN-PERSON VISITS, BUT THEY’RE BOUND TO HAVE A GREAT TIME. TENNESSEE
A virtual tour of Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame is sure to bring music to your students’ ears. For exclusive interviews, songwriter sessions, livestreams and other special programs, head to the video archive. You can also explore their digital archive, featuring a photography collection, sound recordings and more. This musical experience is bound to wow your students, so virtually head to the Country Music Hall of Fame for a sneak peek into the world of country.
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ALABAMA
For a taste of the outdoors, head to Alabama’s farmland through a virtual field trip with the Alabama Farmers Federation. Watch the entire virtual field trip video series to learn all about bees, tree nurseries, growing vegetables and more. Each presentation is given by a member of the farmers federation, and educational activities are placed in the comments section for kids to engage with during the video. Check out all eight videos on the Alabama Farmers
Alabama Farmers Federation
Federation website to learn all about a day in the life of a farmer. GEORGIA
Let ocean life come to you through athome learning with the Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta. Enjoy over 23 deep sea learning videos presented by marine biologists, complete with corresponding study guides suitable for students of all ages. Virtually dive into the deep blue and learn about jellyfish, beluga whales and more.
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LOUISIANA
For students and lovers of jazz alike, check out New Orleans & Company’s virtual tour of Preservation Hall. Situated in the heart of the French Quarter, this historic venue is a must-see for performing arts students. Look around at the small space that once hosted some of the world’s top jazz musicians, and learn all about the significance of jazz in the Bayou State. For more virtual tours of sites around the city, check out the New Orleans & Company website. FLORIDA
Turn a sprawling 1.5 million acres of wetland into an e-adventure by participating in one of the Everglades National Park’s virtual field trips. With interactive games and classroom activities, students can learn about topics such as invasive species and conservation sciences. With a lush ecosystem and hundreds of animal species to explore, students will love touring the best of Florida’s Everglades from home. Students can also virtually blast off into space with the array of virtual offerings provided by the Kennedy Space Center.
can tour the grounds, watch artillery demonstrations and learn all about the Bentonville Battlefield’s history on North Carolina Historic Sites’ YouTube page. For more about North Carolina’s heritage, check out their website for additional e-tours. KENTUCKY
Kennedy Space Center
The “NASA STEM @ Home” program is a diverse suite of videos and at-home activities tailored for grades K-4, 5-8 and 9-12. Students can embark on a virtual lunar journey to study moon rocks, interact with a 360-degree display of the Hubble Control Center, design a Mars rover and observe the rigorous physical training of NASA astronauts. There are also lesson plans for experiments in rocket science, aeronautics and physics. NORTH CAROLINA
Bentonville Battlefield is the site of the 1865 Battle of Bentonville, the largest Civil War battle fought in North Carolina. Students
Whether you’re an equestrian, history lover, teacher or student, you’re bound to be amazed by Louisville’s Kentucky Derby Museum. The museum is offering a free virtual field trip for students to learn about the history and cultural significance of horse racing. Trot to the Kentucky Derby Museum’s website for a virtual museum tour, minilessons, racetrack tour and more. ARKANSAS
Take a trip to Arkansas’ Bathhouse Row with a virtual tour of the historic Fordyce Bathhouse. Part of the National Park system, this bathhouse was established in 1915 by Sam Fordyce and remained in operation until 1962. Today, visitors can gawk at the stunning architecture of the three-story home while learning about the state’s cultural heritage. ■
Preservation Hall
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Arizona State University
SOUTHWESTERN VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS THESE SOUTHWEST VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS WILL MAKE YOUR STUDENTS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED FROM THE CLASSROOM. ARIZONA
Arizona State University is offering the opportunity for students to virtually explore one of the greatest wonders of the world, The Grand Canyon. Students will able to discover the 200-mile Colorado River that cuts through the canyon, watch videos from scientists in the field and even explore remote areas that are not easily accessible in person. This is perfect for students who are currently studying geology and rocks, as they will learn about topics like rock layering, erosion and formation.
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This virtual field trip includes images and videos from scientists who were in the midst of exploring the canyon themselves. NEW MEXICO
The Santa Fe Children’s Museum in New Mexico has created a couple of new virtual field trips that every student can enjoy. Students can learn about a variety of different STEM topics through these interactive and educational programs. Students can even livestream with a museum
Santa Fe Children’s Museum
worker that includes a Q&A session. There are two programs for 3-8 graders, “Physical Science: Earth and Planetary Science” and “Life Science: Biology and Ecosystems Science.” Both virtual field trips are slightly altered and up to 20-60 minutes depending on what grade is participating. TEXAS
For students who love animals, the Houston Zoo in Texas has new webcams that are the perfect virtual field trip. These live
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OK360
videos allow students to examine a variety of different animals and explore the different exhibits they reside in. Some of the webcams include “The Gorilla Habitat Cam,” “Elephant Yard Cam” and even a camera small enough for students to enjoy leafcutter ants. If live webcams just aren’t enough, teachers can let the Houston Zoo come to their classroom through the “Zoo Mobile” program. This program is a group of zoo workers and educators who travel to different schools around the area to give students the opportunity to see animals in real life. While getting a closer look than through the barriers of an exhibit, students will learn about the animals and even get to touch some of them. The zoo educators will also teach kids how to help animals in the wild and live harmoniously with them. Any hopeful NASA employees or those just curious about the wonders of space will love this interactive virtual field trip of the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Boeing and Discovery Education have partnered up to provide students will a virtual tour of the
station that explains the behind-the-scenes of building spacecraft and what it takes to produce massive launches. Students will learn about the history of the space station and even explore an old spacecraft: the Starliner/ CST-100. The virtual field trip is divided up into six different chapters that students can work through at their own pace. OKLAHOMA
The Oklahoma Nature Conservatory in Oklahoma City has teamed up with Bank of America to create “OK360.” This new program allows people to explore the most
remote places of the conservatory’s land with their high-tech 360-degree cameras. Students are able to see everything for spanning views of the fields to investigating single plant species or animal habitats. “OK360” teaches students ecology, the environment and the importance of keystone species through their online learning tools. Places students can explore include the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, the Four Canyon Preserve and the Blue River. The conservatory even has information on endangered species and protected lands on their website. ■
Houston Zoo
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University of Nebraska State Museum
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS ON THE WEST COAST ARE VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS THE WAY OF THE FUTURE? FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF! SOME OF THE BEST MUSEUMS IN THE WEST ARE NOW OFFERING VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS AND LEARNERS. KANSAS
Thanks to the Kansas Pork Association, students can take a virtual trip to a pig farm in Kansas. The association allows people to go through a pig barn, talk to pig farmers in real-time and see and learn about pigs. They also provide teachers with lesson plans that encourage students to learn about agriculture and farming. NEBRASKA
The Durham Museum in Omaha aims to educate its visitors about the history of the
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Omaha region. The museum has over 45 virtual field trips covering various topics such as pioneer life, Native American life and Lewis & Clark. They also include many “Featuring” videos that discuss the city and state’s history. The University of Nebraska State Museum in Lincoln is known for teaching students about zoology, botany, anthropology and geology. They have recently adapted their teaching method to include different online experiences for students. They have different live virtual field trips every Tuesday as well as online
Durham Museum
activities, coloring pages and videos from their Mueller Planetarium. CALIFORNIA
The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California strives to teach students about ocean and animal conservation. In order to reach a larger audience, the aquarium started showing live cams of their most popular attractions. This includes their jellyfish exhibits, otter exhibits, penguin exhibits and more. Additionally, they have set feeding times, so students can get an
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up-close look at the animal feeding. The J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles houses stunning works of art dating back to the eighth century. The architecture, modeled after a first-century Roman house, is a perfect setting to view the paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and other art. Students are now able to see some of the most beautiful art in Los Angeles from their own homes. The San Diego Zoo in California holds 3,500 animals that range through over 650 species. In order to help animal enthusiasts and students alike, the zoo has started providing live cam footage for some of their most beloved animals. This includes their hippos, polar bears, penguins, tigers, elephants and even their prerecorded footage of their rare pandas. OREGON
Oregon Agriculture is committed to educating students in Oregon and beyond. They’ve had e-learning resources and video libraries on their website, but they also recently added their virtual field trip experience. With this addition, they are hoping to educate more students on the importance of agriculture and farming in Oregon. SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota is allowing students and history enthusiasts all over the world to take a trip to their most famous national monument: Mount Rushmore. They offer an introduction into the history of the monument, a 3D exploration, a virtual tour and more in-depth information into the creation of the monument. NORTH DAKOTA
Museum of Flight
and hundreds of species of animals. With their new interactive website, students are now able to learn about the geography, landscape and history of the land. UTAH
The Natural History Museum in Salt Lake City was created with the idea of educating people about the natural world and the mountain history of the land. Now with their virtual field trip program, they are able to spread that message even more. The museum now offers eight online lessons that feature scientists and educators to show people the history of the museum and of Utah. WYOMING
Yellowstone National Park was the first established national park in the United States. There is so much history to the land, and so
WASHINGTON
Did you ever think you could show band or orchestra students a symphony performance without leaving the classroom? Now you can! The Seattle Symphony is posting concert rebroadcasts nearly daily on their website and YouTube channel, with additional “Family Programming” broadcasts featuring specific instruments. The Museum of Flight in Seattle is the largest independent non-profit air museum in the world. With the museum holding over 175 aircrafts, they offer stunning one-of-akind virtual aircraft tours. They are offering students 360 panoramic tours of 12 aircrafts IDAHO
This Plains Art Museum in Fargo showcases about 12 art exhibits throughout the year, with special acknowledgment of women and Native American artwork. Through their online exhibits, students could immerse themselves in that realm and learn about things that could possibly never be learned elsewhere. MONTANA
Glacier National Park includes parts of two mountain ranges, over 130 named lakes
much to see. Students are now able to visit the national park from their classrooms. The website has videos, map-based tours and a full virtual tour of the upper basin of the park.
Yellowstone National Park
Idaho State University has taken its Antarctica adventures to the next level. They are allowing virtual tours into the history of the continent and the archaeology that’s featured at Destination Antarctica. They also explore the surrounding seas and examining the fossils that still reside there. Students from around the world are now able to take a look at this nearly uninhabitable continent and consider environmental practices that can rescue this vulnerable landscape. ■ STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2021
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TAKE A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP @ StudentTravelPlanningGuide.com
If in-person field trips aren’t an option in your district, take your students on a virtual tour of America’s iconic museums, cultural institutions and attractions.
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