Endangered Field Trips

Field trips can be a great way for students to apply what they’re learning in the real world, whether it’s a trip to the state legislature to supplement studies of government or splashing in a stream to enhance lessons about science and the environment. But many schools are cutting back on field trips due to financial restrictions as well as a reluctance to lose classroom time in preparation for testing. NEA Today has a story this month about the positives of field trips and why schools should save them from the endangered species list. Some schools struggling with this issue have opted for virtual field trips, like this spelunking adventure described in Education Week. Still others are keeping students a bit closer to home with their field trips. Some schools are changing it up entirely, bringing field trips to their own buildings to save time and gas.