The Challenge: Field trips should be an integral part of a student’s experience. I know that nowadays field trips are not a prevalent compared to when I started teaching many years ago. It is difficult to get funding and school districts are wary of having students go off campus. Trips close to home or near campus are a good option and the also Internet offers options for students, teachers and homeschoolers.

A Solution:

I know that “online” field trips are not as exciting as actually going to a physical location but there are many websites that offer opportunities for students to take an online field trip. They can travel virtually anywhere. Organizations including museums, national and international parks, planetariums, remote telescope access, aquariums have virtual field trips available for free. It a terrific way to explore the world.

Resources:  

Here is a sample list of virtual field trips

Ology – Large number of activities from the American Museum of Natural History

Hayden Planetarium Videos – Large number of fascinating videos about space

Virtual Field Trips you can take from home – Explore zooms and museums from home.

Live and Real-Time Viewing of Animals at San Diego Zoo – See the animals at the zoo close up in real time.

National Marine Sanctuaries Virtual Underwater Dives – Be amazed at our national treasure of marine life.

National Air and Space Museum – Virtual tour of the National Air and Space Museum

Slooh – Control telescopes remotely and explore space with a community.

NASA Citizen Science – Online projects in science from NASA

Chicago Nature Museum – Explore the nature museum through virtual tours and activities.

Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA – Resources for doing science at some.