Time for an Fieldtrip!

Here are some great ideas for excursions that give the biggest bang for their buck.

Take a Museum Field Trip -- Without Leaving Your Classroom! (online)

When a field trip is out of the question, journey to a virtual museum! Here is a sampling of excellent online museums to visit with your class, divided by category. Suggested activities accompany the descriptions of the Web sites.
http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr057.shtml

Journey to the Center of the Garden (online)

Something or Someone has been eating at the Shrink's garden and George is on the case. He burrows deep beneath the garden and finds a whole new world...including a family of Gophers.
http://pbskids.org/georgeshrinks/gallery/index.html

In Search of the Ways of Knowing Trail (online)

Your jeep breaks down on your way to the remote village of Epulu in central Africa. You along with four youths from different local cultures are forced to walk through the Ituri Forest to get there. Together you'll have to navigate the forest by foot to arrive at Epulu. In the process you'll learn about plants, animals, and survival. You'll need the free Flash Player.
http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/pagegen/wok/ways_index.html

Burarra Gathering (online)

Go fishing and crab hunting with the Burarra people of Australia! You'll also learn how to navigate using stars and how to read animal tracks in this wonderful interactive adventure. Brought to us by Questacon, Australia's National Science and Technology Center. You'll need the free Flash Player.
http://burarra.questacon.edu.au/home.html

Santa Ana Zoo - Santa Ana, CA

The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park is committed to providing recreation and education while bringing the message of conservation to the Zoo's many visitors. It is a place to have fun, a place to learn, and a place that can be enjoyed by people of all ages every day of the year. FREE TEACHER TOURS! Are your students coming to the Zoo? We offer free guided tours for teachers. Get to know our animals before coming on your field trip. Prior reservations (arranged at least 4 weeks in advance) are required. Tours are available Saturday mornings and certain weekday afternoons. Call the Education Department at (714) 647-6575 to schedule your free teacher tour. Lunch packages available at La Perla--call Myrna (714) 357-0415. They have special programs for young children.
http://santaanazoo.org/

California Science Center – Los Angeles, CA

Bring the California Science Center to your school! The California Science Center's Science Theater on Tour outreach program is bringing the wonder and magic of a museum field trip to your school assembly, educational event, or meeting. Help stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning, by booking one of our entertaining and engaging educational programs. Science Theater on Tour blends science learning with entertaining performances, using original sets, props, special effects, and scripts created by the California Science Center. They have a new show called the SuperKids Academy! Two SuperKids teach students how to make healthy choices, and together with the audience's help save the universe from the lazy effects of the BLAHs. SuperKids Academy is a fanciful and engaging way to satisfy California State science and health content needs in addition to meeting theater, art and other standards.

Book Your Science Theater Show NOW by calling Science Theater On Tour: 213-744-2072 or http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/Education/OutreachPrograms/ScienceTheater/ScienceTheater.php

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County – Los Angeles, CA

Join us for our monthly Family Fun Days! Each month we pick a special theme, from Habitats to Diversity to Dinosaurs. Come to the Natural History Museum for fun-filled activities, mask making, science experiments, and scavenger hunts for cool prizes! We also have special LIVE animal and insect presentations, story times and more. See you there! Click here for upcoming events: http://www.nhm.org/calendar/ff_days.php

The museum has a special monthly event for young children (3-5 years old). They call it their Critter Club! Young children and an adult can join us for fun-filled learning from 10:15am - 11:15am on the second Saturday of each month. You will meet amazing live animals, create take-home crafts, relax to a critter story, and play games and learn songs about our animal friends!

No reservations necessary, all activities are first-come, first-served. Check the website for more details: http://www.nhm.org/calendar/ff_critter.php

Discovery Science Center – Santa Ana, CA

Discovery Science Center (DSC), a 59,000-square-foot learning facility designed to spark children's natural curiosity, is Orange County's largest nonprofit educational resource. Since opening in December 1998, it has been dedicated to educating young minds, assisting teachers and increasing public understanding and appreciation of science, math and technology through interactive exhibits and programs. It is a community-wide resource where families come together to learn and have fun. The County's residents and school districts are served by this educational resource. Discovery Science Center, which has welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors, now receives an estimated 300,000 guests each year. The Discovery Science Center has many opportunities for young children and the teachers of young children (http://www.discoverycube.org/education.aspx?q=38&c=28)

More information can be found at http://www.discoverycube.org/visit.aspx?n=66632

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium – Long Beach, CA

Discover the underwater world of Southern California...Located just steps from the ocean on Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a non-profit public aquarium which engages all visitors in education, recreation and research to promote knowledge, appreciation and conservation of the marine life of Southern California. They have lots to offer families and young children. Check out all they have to offer with an educational spin at http://www.cabrilloaq.org/education.html

Kidspace Children's Museum - Pasadena, CA

Since the Kidspace Children's Museum opened 25 years ago, children of all ages have been learning about fossils, insects, natural phenomenon and navigating through a kid-size ant farm. The museum closed temporarily in 2002, but has reopened in a new, expanded facility by the Rose Bowl. The museum features more than 20 interactive exhibits, including two acres of gardens, waterways, fossil digging stations and the 40-foot Raindrop and Wisteria climbing towers that have replaced the ant farm. Here is their information: Location: 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, Phone: 626-449-9144, Hours: Daily 9:30am-5:00pm.

Boone Children's Gallery at Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Art – Los Angeles, CA

This gallery, located in LACMA on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles, routinely offers exhibits targeting children. Frequently these exhibits include a focus on nature or engineering within the art realm. The exhibits are usually interactive and geared to young children. Check here for what the Boone Children's Gallery is currently offering: http://www.lacma.org/programs/Boone.aspx

Griffith Park – Los Angeles, CA

One of the nation's largest urban parks, Griffith Park occupies 4,107 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains. The L.A. Zoo, golf courses, Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Greek Theatre, Travel Town, Griffith Observatory, merry-go-round, pony and train rides can all be found here. In addition, there are more than 53 miles of bridle and hiking trails. From observing the stars to morning nature hikes, Griffith Park abounds with opportunities for families and young children to engage in science. Click here for more info: http://www.lacity.org/rap/dos/parks/griffithPK/index.htm

Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific – Preschool Programs

Preschool programs are designed for young children to independently explore marine life. Each class offers hands-on animal touch time, a craft project, story time, Aquarium animal observation, and activities relating to the topic. Check out the activities at www.aquariumofpacific.org/EDUCATION/CHILDRENS/presch_prog.htm

El Dorado Nature Center

7550 E. Spring St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
562 570-1745

Celebrating Nature in the Middle of the City
www.ci.long-beach.ca.us/park/facilities/parks/el_dorado_nature_center.asp