Field trips were one of the many things put on pause during the pandemic, but as regulations ease, teachers can begin planning new excursions once again.
Field trips do more than just enrich students in curriculum, they serve to help students beyond the classroom.
“Anytime that we can tie what we’re learning in school to something we can experience outside of school, that to me is much more effective than someone just reviewing content in front of a class,” business teacher Shane Kellogg said.
Kellogg said field trips help students form a connection between the classroom and the real world.
For example, Kellogg’s classes took a trip to Top Golf in 2019.
“I figured that would be a good experience for kids to get out and have some experience in a new business,” Kellogg said.
Field trips also provide an opportunity to take a break from the classroom.
“It’s a nice way for the students to de-stress, relax a bit, and step away from school, but also a great opportunity to learn about the business,” Kellogg said.
Orchestra director Catherine Bond said field trips give students a chance to build relationships with their peers and foster their own independence.
“It allows the students an opportunity to travel without their parents and to grow a little bit as young people,” she said. “We went on a tour of the Grand Ole Opry, and seeing all of my students who maybe don’t know country music or aren’t necessarily country music fans, really appreciate and respect the history and the culture there was really cool.”
Bond said the music department’s field trips in particular act as a gateway to both the musical world and different types of music.
“[Students] make memories with their friends that last forever,” Bond said. “Some of my fondest memories of being in high school orchestra [were] the music trips.”