Evaluation of Field Trip Experience
What was positive about my field trip experience?
Visiting the USGS is a unique experience because it incorporates all areas of curriculum - social studies, science, math, language arts, and fine arts. There are extensions and activities to explore all of these subjects in all grade levels. Additionally, there is something at the USGS that every leaner can relate to:
What would you have changed?
Although I may have caught her on a bad day, the employee who appeared to be in charge of the visitor's center and field trip coordination did not seem very welcoming. I got the feeling as though the Visitor's Center was losing resources, tour guides, and volunteers so I am not 100% confident that the USGS will always be a viable field trip option!
What suggestions do you have for future planners?
I definitely recommend calling ahead to make sure the days and hours the Visitor's Center is open are still as they are stated on their website! Ask what activities, displays, exhibits, experiments, and videos will be available to you when you visit. Also be prepared for a small walk between the parking and the entrance.
What did you learn about field trips that will help you plan in the future?
I found it very beneficial to look at all curriculum framework prior to visiting so I would have an idea of how I could tie in experiences from the USGS with the standards across the curriculum. I noticed that since September to December, the website has changed making me think that they are trying to steer away from hosting field trips but instead focusing more on the Girl and Boy Scouts of America visits. In regards to how the trip ties to my lesson, teaching students how to show respect for themselves, others, and property is a foundational concept
Visiting the USGS is a unique experience because it incorporates all areas of curriculum - social studies, science, math, language arts, and fine arts. There are extensions and activities to explore all of these subjects in all grade levels. Additionally, there is something at the USGS that every leaner can relate to:
- Visual-Spatial: Students can look and see maps, instruments, drawings, photographs, and art they have never experienced before. Additionally, in the hands-on room students may have an opportunity to create a map of their own.
- Linguistic: Students who are able may take notes, integrate text and visuals, and listen to both the tour guide and videos to learn.
- Logical-Mathematical: As maps and globes are essentially located on a grid, students can apply their logic skills to learn as well as isolate and interpret cause and effect relationships across our land and community.
- Bodily-Kinesthetic: Students are constantly moving at the USGS weather it be on a hike or nature walk, trying to create a result on the Richter-scale, or experiencing the water flume.
- Interpersonal: Students will have multiple opportunities to communicate and discuss what they learn with classmates and teachers.
- Intrapersonal: Students will begin to discover how they connect to the global world.
- Naturalist: The entire USGS is a perfect venue for students who learn best through visualizing entire worlds, observing and documenting their surroundings, simulating environments, and exploring authentically.
What would you have changed?
Although I may have caught her on a bad day, the employee who appeared to be in charge of the visitor's center and field trip coordination did not seem very welcoming. I got the feeling as though the Visitor's Center was losing resources, tour guides, and volunteers so I am not 100% confident that the USGS will always be a viable field trip option!
What suggestions do you have for future planners?
I definitely recommend calling ahead to make sure the days and hours the Visitor's Center is open are still as they are stated on their website! Ask what activities, displays, exhibits, experiments, and videos will be available to you when you visit. Also be prepared for a small walk between the parking and the entrance.
What did you learn about field trips that will help you plan in the future?
I found it very beneficial to look at all curriculum framework prior to visiting so I would have an idea of how I could tie in experiences from the USGS with the standards across the curriculum. I noticed that since September to December, the website has changed making me think that they are trying to steer away from hosting field trips but instead focusing more on the Girl and Boy Scouts of America visits. In regards to how the trip ties to my lesson, teaching students how to show respect for themselves, others, and property is a foundational concept