FIELD TRIPS IN SCIENCE 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Reasons for field trips and 2. Planning 3. Choosing a destination 4. Safety consideration and accommodating students with special needs 5. Getting permission from the principal 6. Booking and arranging transportation 7. Arranging and preparing volunteer 8. Pre-trip teachings, preparing students for the field trip 9. Post-trip reinforcement 10. Trouble shooting 2

Reasons For Field Trips 3

1. What are some of the reasons for having a field trip? 4

Planning Checklist Source- Creating Successful Field Trips by Barbara English,

6

7

Which Field Trip to Choose? Choosing a Destination 8

Choosing a Destination So…. what are some possible field trip locations that might support the science curriculum for: So…. what are some possible field trip locations that might support the science curriculum for: Senior science? Senior science? Grade nine science? Grade nine science? Grade ten science? Grade ten science? Other???? Other???? What are the links for these possible destinations? 9

Safety Considerations Safety Considerations On High School Science Field Trips 10

Safety Facts There are thousands of injuries and a few deaths on field trips each year in Canada There are several questions parents (and teachers) should ask before embarking on a school trip 11

Questions So…. What are some of the safety considerations that should be taken care of prior to and during a field trip? Consider parents, teachers, staff and students. 12

Accommodating Students With Special Needs Source- Creating Successful Field Trips by Barbara English,

Considerations for wheelchair bound students, visually impaired students, and other general considerations that hosting organizations should know about your students. 14

Approving the Trip Obtaining Permission from the Principal 15

Obtaining Permission from the Principal Within your high school science department, teachers should discuss the rationale behind their proposed field trip with their department head and indicate supporting evidence that clearly links curriculum expectations with the intended purpose of the field trip. Within your high school science department, teachers should discuss the rationale behind their proposed field trip with their department head and indicate supporting evidence that clearly links curriculum expectations with the intended purpose of the field trip. It is important for the curriculum leader or department head to assist the teacher with any suggestions they may have about ways to effectively promote the linkage between the intended field trip and the curriculum. It is important for the curriculum leader or department head to assist the teacher with any suggestions they may have about ways to effectively promote the linkage between the intended field trip and the curriculum. 16

Obtaining Permission from the Principal Once the teacher is sure s/he can effectively link the purpose of their proposed field trip with the curriculum, s/he then must discuss it with the principal and obtain approval. Once the teacher is sure s/he can effectively link the purpose of their proposed field trip with the curriculum, s/he then must discuss it with the principal and obtain approval. Each board has it’s own set of guidelines and timing. Each board has it’s own set of guidelines and timing. 17

Obtaining Permission from the Principal It is only after the teacher has received approval for their proposed field trip from their principal that they may proceed with any bookings and information for the students such as sending home permission forms. It is only after the teacher has received approval for their proposed field trip from their principal that they may proceed with any bookings and information for the students such as sending home permission forms. Following proper school procedure is important for all teachers before proposing and booking any type of field trip. Following proper school procedure is important for all teachers before proposing and booking any type of field trip. 18

Booking Your Trip Booking Your Trip Considerations and Checklist Source- Creating Successful Field Trips by Barbara English,

Considerations A checklist will help to make sure you cover as many bases as you can for now. Once this is done, run it by your colleagues and CL/dept head to see if they can come up with anything you might have missed 20

Booking Checklist Source- Creating Successful Field Trips by Barbara English, 1997 BLM 1 21

22

Permission Forms Source- Creating Successful Field Trips by Barbara English,

Permission Forms School boards often have standard forms that are to be completed by teachers Teachers complete the forms to provide parents with the relevant trip information such as; –Dates and times –Destination –Purpose and objectives –Activities and risks involved –Transportation –Cost –What to bring (lunch, money) and what to wear 24

Permission from parents Parents must provide the school with (there should be space on the permission form) up to date medical information for their child including any conditions and medications Parents must be fully aware and informed of all activities 25

Checklist for permission forms- Reproducible BLM 2 Source- Creating Successful Field Trips by Barbara English,

27

Creating a Schedule for the Day of Your Trip Adapted from English, Barbara(1997) BLM 6 28

Sample Schedule 1)Review plans with volunteers- include activity sheets, maps, schedule. Review any special needs and assign student groups if necessary 2)Review expected behaviour with students, divide into groups 3)Board the bus- review times with driver, pay driver if necessary 4)Do a head count or take attendance prior to departure 5)On arrival, have volunteers supervise student groups while you register and pay 29

Schedule cont’d 6)Students enter, put away coats and lunches if necessary 7)Do a head count 8)Discuss where and when groups are to meet 9)For guided program, guide will give introduction and orientation 30

Schedule cont’d 10) For self guided program, give orientation and proceed 11)Ensure students are following program 12)Break for lunch if necessary 13)After program, regroup. Collect worksheets if necessary 14)Do head count 31

Schedule cont’d 11)Visit gift shop if available 12)Have students collect coats 13)Board bus, do head count 14)THANK YOUR VOLUNTEERS!! 15)Return to school. If return is after the end of the regular school day, ensure all students have been picked up by a parent 16)If returning to the classroom, begin follow up activities 32

Transportation: What are the considerations for method of transportation? 33

Some resources: (includes planning, pre, during and post suggestions) ROM: OSC: dents/default.asp dents/default.asp Toronto Zoo:

Selecting and Preparing Volunteers 35

Volunteers???? Why might you want to have volunteers to accompany your students on a field trip? Considerations: -selection of volunteers, -what they need to know -other…… 36

Prior to the Field Trip Pre-trip teaching, Preparing students, Expectations???? 37

After the Field Trip Post-Trip Reinforcement????? 38

Troubleshooting- What to do when things go wrong 39

How to plan in the event of Murphy’s Law Bus does not arrive on time Guide does not have attention of students Discipline Problems Exhibit is off display Others?????? 40