As students grow from long division and recess to calculus and college, the learning experience alters. An increased focus on testing and preparing for university puts playtime far into the background, making recess and building blocks disappear.
These changes are fitting for those who are about to be thrown into the adult world, however, the important elements of hands-on learning have been lost through the years with the lack of out-of-classroom experience. High school field trips have become increasingly rare, yet can provide students with a unique learning experience that they can not obtain in a traditional classroom setting.
“I think the students that attend field trips find them very beneficial,” Principal Wendy Doll said. “I think that it’s an incredible enrichment activity for making that connection in the classroom and making it come alive.”
While learning seemingly unimportant or abstract concepts in classes, such as math or science, it can be hard to understand why they are being taught, or exactly when they will be used in life after school. Of course, these subjects really do have practical and essential real world applications in a multitude of professions that high schoolers could find themselves pursuing. Still, despite the fact that students may be able to answer every question on their test, they often remain unsure of one thing: what’s the point?
If high school students were given more opportunities to visit places in which math, science and other subjects are being put to use, they may better understand the importance of school. Field trips to one of these places, such as a space center or wildlife reserve, can provide high school students with examples of the real world importance of subjects and information that they may have once thought useless. With a lack of field trips, the connection between the adult world and the classroom may be lost to mindless testing.
Furthermore, field trips can help high schoolers make decisions about their future. For a student who is unsure of whether or not they want to seek a higher education or one who just doesn’t know where they’d like to go, a trip to a local college or university can make all the difference. College tours such as these can provide students with information that will help them with the application process and assist with deciding what kind of school they want to go to.
Along with the information the students will receive, a walk around the campus provides students with a glimpse of what college life can be like, giving them a better understanding of what exactly they’re working towards. Alternatively, almost any field trip can help students decide what they want to major in or what area of study they want to go into. Hands-on experiences can spur one’s love for a subject more than classroom learning on its own ever could.
Firsthand learning actually helps students perform better in the classroom. A study by the University of Chicago maintains that “students who physically experience scientific concepts understand them more deeply and score better on science tests.” This kind of essential hands-on learning can be achieved on field trips. Then, after gaining the scientific understanding provided by these trips, students can apply the knowledge to score better on college readiness tests such as the ACT.
Field trips benefit high school teachers as well by allowing them to build on their curriculum with resources other than the textbook. Being able to provide students with hands on learning that connects to what is being taught in the classroom helps many teachers ensure success for their students.
“I took my students on a field trip to the everglades,” science teacher Loretta Coyne said. “This was beneficial because it built on the concepts and skills learned in class. They were able to do on hand work as well as be able to visually see the things we were talking about. This is something they weren’t able to do in a classroom lab setting.”
Although one might make the argument that students should be getting these kinds of experiences on their own, this is simply not realistic for every family. High school field trips can give opportunities to financially struggling students who may not have the same abilities as others. Activities such as visiting the Everglades, Kennedy Space Center or going on local college tours are wonderful learning experiences that not everyone can experience on their own. By pooling money together from students and combining it with funding from the school, the cost of field trips can be a lot more affordable than going by oneself or with family. The money can also go towards providing a mode of transportation for students to get there. Whether it is because of working parents or financial issues, field trips can provide a more affordable and accessible way for students to have these experiences.
“A lot of kids wouldn’t get to experience some of the things they experience without those field trips,” Principal Doll said. “You just have to find the right field trip to fit what you’re trying to convey to the students in the classroom.”
Despite the differences in learning needs from elementary to high school, field trips should remain consistent as they provide benefits for anyone in a learning environment, regardless of age. With their ability to provide a connection between school and the adult world and the endless opportunities for the future they present, field trips are essential and should become more prevalent in high school.
Photo by Mr. Mauntler
