virtual field trips for stem

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8 virtual field trips for STEM engagement

BY  LAURA ASCIONE  

In-person field trips aren't possible during the pandemic, but virtual field trips offer fun learning experiences for students

Hands-on STEM subjects are challenging to teach when students aren’t in the classroom all the time, and student engagement is also a challenge during COVID. Virtual field trips address both of these persistent roadblocks.

Virtual field trips can help students get a front-row look at STEM outside of the classroom. Where can those engineering concepts you learn during school take you in adulthood? Is it possible to be creative in a STEM career?

Here are some virtual field trips highlighting STEM careers and experiences:

1.   Slime in Space : What happens when you send Nickelodeon slime to the International Space Station? That’s exactly what a group of NASA astronauts set out to answer, and we want you and your kids to come along for the ride! This free 15-minute virtual field trip will take kids 250 miles above earth to see how slime, and water, react in a microgravity environment. It’s truly out of this world!

2.   Innovation Generation : Transport students beyond the walls of the classroom and into a Stanley Black & Decker Makerspace where making and doing is a way of life! Inspire your students to be agents of innovation. Working alongside the experts of the Stanley Black & Decker Makerspace, students will see and experience first-hand how math, science, technology, creativity and teamwork can lead to technological advancements in our everyday lives.

3.   Internet of Things: Infinite Possibilities Virtual Field Trip : The Internet of Things refers to a collection of computing devices – such as smart speakers, thermostats and sensors –which are connected to a network to allow for an improved real-time data to better manage two of the most critical resources to humanity: energy and water. Students will get an exciting look at how the internet they use in their everyday lives can be used to conserve natural resources, protect ecosystems, and create safer, more sustainable communities.

4.   ecoAction Virtual Field Trip : We’re traveling to Seattle to see how Boeing is incorporating sustainable practices and innovations as they pertain to sustainable air travel, natural resource preservation, water quality control, and waste management. Follow along to learn some easy ways you and your community can be sustainable, too!

5.   Girls Get Stem – Unleash Your Inner Scientist : Have your classroom join us as we experience a brand-new kind of camp – it’s not just swimming, sun, and s’mores – but STEM! Tune in to transport students to the STEM Center of Excellence where STEM will come to life in new and unexpected ways.

6.   Gray, Green, Blue: Water Security and YOU! : People, businesses and industries, recreation, waste removal, transport, nature, and even lawn care all require water. Making sure there’s enough reliable, clean water for the health and livelihoods of people and natural environments is what we mean by water security, and it is one of the biggest challenges we face. Learn how nature can play a role in ensuring water security and what YOU can do to help!

7.   The National Museum of Computing : The museum has virtually opened its doors for anyone to visit and take a tour of the world’s largest collection of working historic computers. Wherever you live, you can now journey through the history of modern computing from its very beginnings to the present day–from the comfort of a PC or device. You can stroll through our new, virtual experience–unguided or with one of the museum’s experts for a live, virtual tour where you will gain first-hand insight and knowledge about the 50,000 artifacts in the museum’s unique collection.

8.   Museum of Science Virtual Field Trips : Students can talk with experts, observe leafcutter ants in action, discover the science behind Pixar Animation Studios, explore and identify animal skills, and more.

Discover more virtual field trips with RobotLAB!

• Feb 1, 2021 8:00:00 AM
• Posted by Natalia Galvis
• Topics: Math , Math Book , EdTech , STEM , Curriculum , teachers , students , Technology , Mathematics , Edchat , Gendergap , Digital Technology , teaching , online , lessons

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Whether you are exploring Mars, investigating the extinction of the dinosaurs or are curious about the origins of life on Earth, Infiniscope’s virtual field trips bring the wonder of Earth and space science to you. Try the different field trips and interactive games to learn more about Earth and space.

This activity is brought to you by a partnership with NASA and the Arizona State University Center for Education Through eXploration through NASA’s Science Activation program.

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10 Virtual STEM Field Trips & Museum Tours

Exploring museums and science centers through virtual tours give you a chance to take your time and study exhibits related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math at a pace that is enjoyable rather than overwhelming. Virtual STEM field trips can also transport you to places that you might never be able to visit in real life – such as the CERN Particle Accelerator near Geneva, Switzerland, or the International Space Station – via immersive 3D experiences. These virtual reality events can be done via computer without ever leaving your room.

Here we’d like to share 10 of our favorite online STEM field trips and virtual museum tours. These are some of the best tours available, featuring realistic high-res imagery.

1. National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, may be the Smithsonian Institution’s crown jewel, as it is one of the most popular museums in the entire world. According to the Global Attractions Attendance report, it is the third most visited museum in the world, the most visited natural history museum in the world, and the most visited museum in North America. This famous museum in Washington has several virtual tours integrated directly onto the web. Using Web VR means that virtual visitors can utilize any headset, provided a Web VR enabled browser it used. The tours include both permanent and past exhibitions with the core tour offering dozens of panoramic images that can be navigated via an on-screen map or interactive arrows. What the tour lacks in supporting content (there’s no additional multimedia for the exhibits) it certainly makes up for in scope and range, with dinosaurs, sea life, geology and more in focus. In addition, the virtual tour also offers select past exhibits and various research facilities like the butterfly habitat and the whale bone support center.

American Museum of Natural History

Explore three virtual exhibits at this New York City institution (yes, the one featured in Night At the Museum !). The exhibit named “Highlights from the American Museum of Natural History ,” shows off many of the museum’s most famous features.

The National Museum of Computing

This virtual tour of the UK’s Museum of Computing includes two main rooms full of exhibits along with embedded information points that explain them in more detail. Although the tour only covers part of the museum, it does include the world’s oldest working computer and a lot of other fascinating artifacts from the field. Matterport’s 3D cameras produce the most stunningly detailed 3D environments for a truly immersive tour!

Stroll Through CERN’s Underground Spaces

Take a guided Google Street View tour of CERN ‘s spaces normally hidden from view, from leading-edge particle colliders and detectors to its gleaming data centre, which stores unimaginable amounts of information from some of the largest machines on Earth.

Explore the International Space Station

Aspiring astronauts can now pretend to float on the International Space Station (ISS), thanks to Google. The company worked with astronauts on the orbiting complex to provide a Google Street View of the space station , from its science labs to its beautiful Earth-facing Cupola window. This 360-degree tour makes it easy to feel like an astronaut. Just don’t enter if you’re claustrophobic!

NASA offers free virtual tours of the Langley Research Center in Virginia, as well as of Ohio’s Glenn Research Center . The Space Center Houston also has an app that provides virtual tours, augmented reality experiences, and videos and audio stories about space exploration.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force

As its name suggests, the National Museum of the United States Air Force is the official museum of the United States Air Force. Centered on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, it houses a wide array of military weapons and aircraft, including the presidential airplanes of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon. The museum also offers free virtual tours of its entire grounds, letting you glimpse objects like decommissioned aircraft from World War II, Vietnam, and the Korean War.

Creation and Earth History Museum Virtual Tour

This interactive creation tour starts at the book store and lets you “walk” through the museum by following the arrows to view the exhibits. Make sure your sound is on! You can also jump straight to the Animal Room, Grand Canyon, Human Anatomy Exhibit, Age of the Earth, and The Tabernacle. (If the image doesn’t show up when you first visit the site, click on “Run Adobe Flash.”)

Monterey Bay Aquarium

With ten live cams to choose from , you can experience the wonders of the ocean in Monterey Bay’s Aquarium exhibits no matter where you are. Be delighted by the antics of sea otters as they frolic and swim. Mellow out to the hypnotic drifting of glowing jelly fish. Watch penguins waddle. Peek into the aviary for an adventure in birdwatching. Follow busy tropical fishes in the coral reef. See sardines swirl and leopard sharks glide through gently swaying kelp canopies. View open-ocean animals such as tuna, turtles, sharks and sardines. Look for otters, birds, and sailboats on Monterey Bay, or enjoy the calming rhythm of the crashing waves in Monterey Bay itself.

Google Street View Tours

Google Street View offers nearly 50 virtual museum tours released through Google’s Cultural Institute. View panoramas from natural history, science and technology museums around the globe including the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois; Houston Museum of Natural Science in Houston, Texas; National Institute of Biological Resources in Incheon, South Korea; Queensland Museum and Sciencecentre in Brisbane, Australia; Museum of Natural Sciences in Bruxelles, Belgium; German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund, Germany; and more.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

The following aren’t really virtual museum tours, but they are online interactive exhibits hosted by science museums, so they also count as virtual STEM field trips.

Smithsonian Institution Exhibits Online

The Smithsonian Institution has an array of online exhibits based on a variety of fascinating science topics. Exhibit titles include: Habitats, Flowering Plants on Stamps, Solar on the Line, Mending Broken Hearts, Science Under Glass, Color in a New Light, Above and Beyond, Places of Invention, Fantastic Worlds, Engineering an Empire, American Bison, Time and Navigation, and many more.

Virtual Museum of Canada

Discover science, technology, nature, and more through virtual exhibits from Canada’s virtual museums . Some are better than others. My favorite is “Partners in Design,” from The Stewart Program for Modern Design. In this virtual exhibit, you embark on a journey exploring the integral role of design in everyday life. Good design, defined by its simplicity, functionality and innovation, is a powerful force and a fundamental part of our lives. This exhibit explores objects from the past and preset that connect with our daily lives. The online exhibit itself is very well-designed.

Marian Koshland Science Museum

At the Marian Koshland Science Museum , you can explore the science of healthy living from before birth to old age, and how we change at different life stages. Find out about brain structures and functions that help you learn. Get an in-depth view of the viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that surround us, the types of infectious diseases they can cause, and the scientific challenges involved in tgeting them. Learn about the problem of safe drinking water and explore possible solutions, and much more in these online experiences.

The Franklin Institute Science Museum

Take a field trip inside your brain ! Your brain is always changing. Brain science is advancing rapidly as modern technology is helping us begin to unravel age-old mysteries about ourselves. What is the brain? What does it do? How does it work? Think about how you think, with these interactive activities, images, and videos to help you investigate what’s going on inside your head and what the future holds.

We’d like to know if you’ve ever taken a virtual STEM field trip to a museum or science center. Did we leave your favorite off the list? Let us know in the comments!

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VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS

Bring the real world into the classroom by taking students on a journey to places outside their city, country, even planet. These behind-the-scenes videos transport students to places where innovation meets creativity and shows there is no one path toward success in a STEM career. Explore the latest engineering, technology, and manufacturing at Boeing with these Virtual Field Trips.

Manufacturing

Virtual field trip: manufacturing the future of aviation.

Discover the ways that cutting-edge technologies are being used by Boeing to redefine the possibilities of aviation manufacturing. Take students on a tour of three incredible manufacturing centers around the country to learn how mechatronics, robotics, and ergonomics are driving innovation in aviation. Along the way, students will meet a variety of diverse STEM professionals who harness groundbreaking technology throughout the manufacturing process.

Virtual Field Trip: Testing The Limits

Explore the vital role testing plays in the creation of Boeing’s products and systems! This Virtual Field Trip will transport students to a variety of Boeing test centers around the United States where they will not only meet and interact with Boeing’s test and evaluation engineers, but also witness the novel ways these experts test the limits of aerospace to ensure quality, reliability, safety, and performance. These engineers will not only explain how the testing happens but will also uncover why it is important.

Virtual Field Trip: Innovating The Future

Join Boeing and Discovery Education on a mission to inspire the world through aerospace innovation with an exclusive virtual field trip to historic Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. This behind-the-scenes tour will introduce students to just a few of the amazing Boeing employees who are preparing to write the next chapter of space history with the launch of the Starliner/CST-100 spacecraft and the deployment of the Space Launch System (SLS).

Environment

Virtual field trip: ecoaction.

Celebrate Earth Day with Boeing and Discovery Education as we highlight the ways Boeing is using advanced technology, engineering, and its dedicated workforce to create a more sustainable future. The ecoAction Virtual Field Trip brings students to various locations around Seattle, Washington to meet STEM experts who are working on sustainability in the air, on land, in the water, and in the handling and reduction of waste.

Virtual ExPeRiences

Explore aerospace technology with virtual field trips to exclusive locations and interactive videos that transport your students to new terrain. Extend the experience with hands-on, standards-aligned activities.  

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Use virtual experiences and hands-on, standards-aligned STEM lessons to guide students as they explore key concepts in aerospace and engineering.  

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Movie making, technology tips, digital activities, virtual field trips and real world learning with stem quest.

Who’s ready for a field trip? Nothing gets kids more excited than hearing those 6 words from a teacher. But, what if you want to take a field trip without the permission slips, the hassle of bus scheduling, toting bagged lunches around, and worrying about the weather? Go on a VIRTUAL field trip of course! Just like a certain frizzy-haired school bus driving teacher, you can take your students on virtual field trips to amazing places like space. I am so excited to share with you how I use STEM and virtual field trips together for exciting and engaging field trips my students can’t get enough of.

What are STEM Quest Virtual Field Trips?

STEM Quest virtual field trips are a mix between a web quest, a virtual field trip, and an escape room. I created these STEM Quest virtual field trips for students to complete interactive challenges based on STEM topics. They also solve a riddle based on the theme at the end of the quest. Using websites, videos, Google Earth, and more, students are immersed and engaged in the learning.

Check out this video to see a STEM Quest virtual field trip in action.

Virtual Field Trips: Let’s go to Space!

I bet you never thought you would say that to your students. Using the STEM Quest virtual field trips you can send your kids on a super fun space adventure.

Your young astronauts will be super excited to open the Google slides and begin their Stem Quest virtual field trip. Using a virtual game board and colored pawn, students move along the path. They click on links along the path that take them to challenge pages.

Exploring the Planets

My students love completing the challenges because they are unique and interactive. For example, when students are learning about the planets in our solar system, they just click to play the video on the slide. This National Geographic video takes students on a trip through our solar system. They will learn all about the planets in our solar system and what makes them unique.

After watching the video, students can drag and drop the names of the planets to classify them by Terrestrial or Jovian. It’s such a fun and interactive way of learning that students get super excited about.

Visit the Space Station

One of my student’s absolute favorite activities in the space STEM Quest virtual field trip has got to be using Google Earth. It’s such an amazing resource for students to use to explore our awesome planet!

In the Space STEM Quest, students are invited to visit the International Space Station. How cool is that?! The excitement in the room during this part of the virtual field trip is electric. Students are able to explore the International Space Station and learn so many fun facts about it while also getting a super cool look at earth from high above.

Once students are done with their exploration, they come back to the Google Slides and answer questions relating to what they learned about the space station.

I promise this will be an activity they won’t want to stop. So, be prepared for students to ask if they can explore more during an indoor recess day, free time, or even at home with their families.

Bring it Back to Earth

Students complete their STEM Quest by filling in their answers on a Google form. This makes it super easy for you to keep track of their learning. You can even print out the spreadsheet to keep with your class grade book.

Virtual Field Trips: Take a Dive in the Ocean

How great would it be if we could take our students on a field trip to explore the ocean? I would be all for it! But, that may be a little out of budget for your school district.

This STEM Quest virtual field trip will get your students excited to dive into learning all sorts of fun and exciting information about our oceans.

Just like the Space STEM Quest, your students will use a virtual game board and colored pawn to move along the path clicking on links that take them to the challenge pages.

Reading for Research

Your little oceanographers will be so excited to learn some fun facts about our oceans by reading an engaging National Geographic Kids article. The article is full of interesting facts, pictures, and videos your students will be excited to explore. One video even features an amazing octopus showing off its camouflage skills.

After reading, your students will come back to the question page and type in the answers to 5 questions relating to the article. If they aren’t sure of an answer it’s super easy for them to return to the article by clicking the link on the slide again.

That’s one of my favorite things about these virtual field trips. Everything is easily accessible by students and can be done independently.

Plastic Pollution

We all know how bad plastic pollution is in our oceans, but maybe not how much of an impact it has on the ecosystem.

This challenge gets students thinking about how humans are contributing to the pollution of the ocean with an engaging National Geographic Kids article.

The article includes pictures, facts, and figures about how plastic pollution is harming marine life. It’s a great way for students to learn how the choices they make in their everyday lives may affect other creatures on our planet.

After their reading research, your students will love completing the fun sorting activity on the Google slide. They will need to clean up the ocean by dragging and dropping the pollution out of the scene. It’s such a fun way for your students to show what they know.

Just like the Space STEM Quest, this virtual field trip ends with students filling out a Google form to show what they know. Your students will love learning so much about the oceans while completing this Ocean STEM Quest. After students submit their Google form, you can even leave a comment for them.

Virtual Field Trips are for Everyone

These STEM Quest virtual field trips are great for elementary students and can be used as independent work, group work, or even center activities. You can also use them as an ongoing early finisher activity. No matter how you choose to use them in your classroom, your students will be so excited. Get ready for your journey with the STEM Quest Virtual Field Trip Bundle which includes both the Space STEM Quest and the Ocean STEM Quest and is available on the Miss Tech Queen TPT page.

Check out this video to see a STEM Quest virtual field trip preview.

Be sure to save these exciting STEM Quest virtual field trips to your favorite classroom Pinterest board so you can come back anytime for fun and engaging virtual field trips your students will love!

• Read more about: Digital Activities , STEM

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Welcome to the STEM Matters NYC virtual field trip collection. We hope you'll stay awhile and go on some virtual field trips to visit extraordinary creatures and places, remarkable events in history, and fascinating topics! From animals to aerospace, NYC’s water supply to national parks, honeybees to the Pacific garbage patch, traverse the streets of New York and beyond. Field trips are organized by grade level and then topic. Click on your or your student's grade band to start exploring!

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No permission slips required! These virtual events let educators take students to amazing places and give them remarkable experiences, without ever leaving the classroom.

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Join us for our Virtual Field Trips or watch them on-demand after their premieres. Each no-cost Virtual Field Trip comes with a companion guide packed with standards-aligned, hands-on learning activities! Select one of the options below to register.

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Discovery education & the nba: a slam dunk partnership, “innovators for impact” virtual field trip with olympian katie ledecky and panasonic, bridge to the future: a virtual field trip into extended reality, arctic adventures: polar bears at play virtual field trip, the science & behavior of safe driving: it takes all of us virtual field trip, an ounce of prevention virtual field trip, the courage to act: forming a chain of resistance.

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3 Incredible Science Field Trips That Don’t Require Permission Slips

Perfect for grades 3–8; watch them in your classroom, any time!

Want to take your students on a virtual field trip? You’re in luck! Check out these incredible, free trips from Nature Works Everywhere .

Can you imagine what it would be like to see a giant panda cub climbing a tree in China? Or watching a giraffe gallop through the grasslands in Kenya? My students would be enthralled. There’s something magical about letting them experience a place far, far away, where they can learn not only about the animals and their homes but also about science and geography.

Below are three virtual field trips we can’t get enough of. Watch these 45-minute videos with your class—any time! They’re perfect for grades 3–8, and each includes a teacher’s guide packed with discussion questions and more. Check them out below.

1. The Deserts and Grasslands of Africa

Head to Africa with scientist Charles Oluchina, where you’ll discover the importance of grasslands and learn how ecotourism in Kenya has benefited both people and wildlife. Students will see giraffes, lions, and elephants; the footage will make you feel like you’re on safari! You’ll also visit Burkina Faso and learn how one farmer invented an ingenious method to help restore forestlands that had been lost to desertification. Get a sneak peek below and then watch the full virtual field trip here .

2. China’s Great Forests: What the Giant Panda and Earth’s Climate Share

Do you know what a takin is? It’s a goat-antelope found in the eastern Himalayas. You’ll get to see some, along with golden snub-nosed monkeys and giant pandas, when you go on a virtual field trip to China’s forests. Expert scientist Yue Wang will explain the role forests and mountains play in the carbon cycle and climate change, and students will get a better understanding of just how important habitats are for both people and animals. Watch the full field trip here .

3. The Coral Reefs of Palau: Nature’s Amazing Underwater Cities

Underwater cities—sounds intriguing, right? The coral reefs of Palau, a network of islands in the Pacific Ocean, are just that. Dive into the water and explore the colorful reefs. Students will learn about the interconnected ecosystem built on symbiosis, where diverse organisms have evolved to protect, clean, nourish, and even mimic one another. It’s spectacular! Watch the full field trip here .

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Virtual Field Trips: Ideas & Examples With Links

By: Angela Robinson | Updated: July 03, 2024

You found our list of the best virtual field trips .

Virtual field trips are class outings that take place online, via platforms like Zoom, Google Street View or websites. While some of these activities consist of pre-recorded tours and videos, the best options tend to involve live video feed and student interaction with guides. Examples activities include digital walks along The Great Wall of China and a scrollable deep sea dive. These activities are also known as “online field trips” and “digital field trips”.

These adventures are an example of online classroom activities and often include virtual tours .

This articles includes:

• interactive virtual field trips
• virtual field trips for students
• the best virtual field trip ideas
• free virtual field trips for kids
• live virtual field trips

Here is the list!

List of virtual field trip ideas

From virtual cockpit tours to online historical sites to do-it-yourself options, here is a list of ideas for virtual field trips to captivate and educate students.

1. Online Zoo (Behind the Scenes)

A digital zoo tour is one of the best virtual field trips for kids. While virtual trips may not let students see otters float, elephants play, and lions strut up close, a digital tour allows for more intimate behind-the-scenes access.

Your class can get close with the animals and walk paths usually reserved for zookeepers. While you may not be able to fit 30 squirming first graders into a baby animal nursery or an operating room, the guide can easily broadcast from these venues. Also, since the visit takes place entirely online, you can visit a zoo that is otherwise far from you.

Here is a starter list:

• San Antonio Zoo
• San Diego Zoo
• Cincinnati Zoo (self-guided tours, livestream safari and feeding times)

Many other zoos stream live animal webcams that you and your class can watch. You can also contact your local zoo directly to inquire about facilitated virtual tours and school group discounts.

During the online visit, your students can ask questions using the hand raising or chat features in the video conferencing platform. Once your tour concludes, your students can enjoy thematic snacks such as zebra cakes, goldfish, and of course, animal crackers.

Check our more virtual zoo tours .

2. Virtual Safari

When you do a virtual safari, your students can observe lions, elephants and other animals in their natural habitat. Wild Earth offers twice daily live safaris. Since the broadcast occurs on African time, your best bet is to tune in for the sunset safari, which live streams from 9:00am to 12:30pm Eastern Standard Time. The safari broadcasts from several nature reserves and features animals such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. During the tour, viewers can ask park rangers questions. The unscripted nature of the broadcast lends an element of excitement, since animal sightings are always a surprise.

Learn more at Wild Earth .

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3. Under the Sea Visit

Unless you are secretly Miss Frizzle from The Magic Schoolbus, you cannot whisk your class to the bottom of the ocean in a submarine. However, you can lead your students on an online field trip of the ocean.

The Deep Sea by Neal Agarwal shows all sorts of marine life in the ocean. Viewers can scroll deeper into the ocean, discovering the animals that dwell at each depth. For a fun pre-tour exercise, distribute a handout with the names of various species and challenge students to guess at which depth the creature lives. Then, check answers as you plunge further down into the ocean.

Journey to The Deep Sea .

4. Aquarium Webcam Livestream

The Monterey Bay Aquarium hosts live cams for animals, including sea otters, penguins, jellyfish, and sharks. Aquarium employees narrate during feeding time, so for maximum engagement consider tuning in during mealtimes. The aquarium website also offers free online classes for ages ranging from kindergarten to high school, resources for teachers, and crafts and printables.

Dive into the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s live webcams .

5. Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China

Your students can trek the Great Wall of China from the comfort of home. For $15, The China Guide offers a guided tour through high resolution images of the Great Wall of China via Zoom. Your students can also take part in question and answer sessions with an expert and have an interactive experience.

Stroll the Great Wall of China .

6. NASA Commercial Crew Program

Until recently, space wasn’t on the list of field trip destinations. NASA decided to teleport students directly to space camp by curating a virtual field trip that highlights its commercial crew program. Teachers can transmit a series of educational videos onto virtual reality sets to create an immersive experience. The tour guide leads virtual visitors through spaceship crew pits and launching pads while explaining the process of becoming an astronaut. The tour puts a heavy emphasis on STEM education and directs teachers to resources useful for supplementary science and math lessons.

Learn more about NASA’s at-home STEM activities .

7. Disney Parks Digital Tour

Most children dream of the day the teacher announces a field trip to Disney World. While students may not be able to ride teacups or roller coasters during a digital tour of Disney, they can still experience the excitement of the happiest place on earth by touring a high resolution Google Street view of the parks.

Students who have not yet visited Disney can see what the park is like, and those that have visited can point out sites and share stories. You can also include Disney history and lessons on the inspirations behind the attractions to make the tour more educational. Consider serving Disney themed snacks during breaks, and perhaps initiating a singalong during a music lesson. With the money you save on transportation and admission, you could even hire a beloved Disney character to pay the class a visit.

Learn more about Disney Parks Digital Tour .

8. Streaming Broadway Shows

Instead of escorting your students to a Broadway show, summon a Broadway stage to your classroom. Broadway HD has a library of hundreds of productions, including rare and obscure shows. While not in real time, most filmed productions on the site are of live shows. Your students can uncover hard to find productions and learn about American theatre history too. Broadway HD offers a one week free trial, as well as monthly and yearly subscription options.

Watch a Broadway show .

9. Virtual Reality Rainforest Tour

Even if you had the budget to fly your class to the Amazon, a real-life tour would be too risky for a field trip. A virtual tour lets students experience panoramic views of lush rain forests while learning about indigenous communities and conservation efforts. The tour is viewable as an immersive experience via virtual reality devices, or as a 360 degree video on regular devices. By participating in the Under the Canopy tour, students come to understand the importance of the rain forest and its connection to human life as a whole.

Embark on a virtual reality rain forest tour .

10. Computerized Cockpit Tours

Livestream cockpit tours make thrilling virtual field trips for high school students. While airline regulations call for restricted cockpit access, you may be able to find a private pilot willing to give your students a Skype tour of the craft. The pilot might even broadcast a quick flight.

If you cannot find a live guide, then the following organizations provide self-guided tours with pilot-perspective views of various aircraft:

• The Naval Aviation Museum
• Experimental Aircraft Association
• National Museum of the USAF
• Museum of Flight

Or, you could download and run a flight simulator that gives students the chance to navigate and land a virtual plane.

11. Living Rooms Around the World

A living room might seem like an odd choice for a virtual field trip, but a living room located across the globe is as fascinating as any other destination. You can plan a tour of foreign homes so that your students can learn how everyday life differs around the world.

If you know individuals in other countries willing to Zoom with your students, then you can reach out to these acquaintances and coordinate your experience directly. If not, then you can contact a foreign exchange program or local university for help. You can also watch the Life Where I’m From channel on YouTube, though live tours with question and answer sessions are more personal and immersive.

You and your students can also check out Dollar Street for a strong visual map of how people live around the world.

12. Virtual Tour of the Louvre

The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world, but many people will never visit in person. By taking your class on a virtual tour of the Louvre, you save airfare and time spent waiting in line.

The Louvre offers high resolution, 360 degree tours of various exhibitions on its website. Your class can explore Egyptian antiquities, classic Italian paintings, and the remains of an underground moat, all without leaving the classroom.

The Louvre site also directs visitors towards a downloadable “VR Mona Lisa” app that provides an up close peek at the famous painting, and other video and at-home experiences.

Visit the Louvre .

13. Online Tour of the British Museum

The British Museum’s online Museum of the World exhibit lets visitors view and sort artifacts based on time period, area of origin, and themes such as religion or trade. Each point on the timeline contains pictures, descriptions, an audio file, and links to related objects.

This format lends itself well to a virtual scavenger hunt . Solving an activity helps students focus and remain more engaged, which results in students learning more from the experience.

Explore the British Museum .

14. Digital Tour of the Van Gogh Museum

While the digital tour of the Van Gogh Museum fails to capture the paintings’ texture, it does offer contextual information on the artist’s most famous images such as Almond Blossom and Self-portrait With Grey Felt Hat . This tour also provides background information about Van Gogh’s life, with several narrative timelines.

Check out the Van Gogh Museum .

15. Google Meets Visit to the Guggenheim

The Guggenheim offers an interactive virtual museum experience. Booking a tour gives your class access to a guide for one hour, and your class will view three to five famous works and participate in an ongoing Q&A session. The museum educator facilitates activities that encourage students to engage with the art. All tours take place via Zoom or Google Meet.

Though the museum gears most tours towards grade school, they also hold separate online tours for university students and adults as well.

Book a Virtual Group Visit to the Guggenheim .

16. Computerized Career Days

Career day is a staple of the school experience. Typically, parents and community professionals visit classrooms to talk to students about various jobs. Online, these professionals can actually take students along on the job. Students can go to work with firefighters, underwater welders, cake decorators, farmers, or any other interesting vocations that do not mind taking the kids along.

Career days can be an ongoing series, with a five to 15-minute tour of a different workplace every session. This approach spreads the fun across a larger span of time by hosting a mini field trip every day, instead of condensing all the excitement into a single afternoon.

You can do online career tests too, or plan a virtual take your child to work day .

17. Remote City Tours

Tour guides in many cities offer a verbal history and visual slideshow via software like Zoom and WebEx. Remote city tours are one of the easiest-to-execute virtual field trip ideas. The guides already mapped the path and prepared the presentation; you only need to book the tour and show up with your class.

The crew here at TeamBuilding recently embarked on a virtual tour of Black Broadway in Washington DC and an online Harry Potter tour of Edinburgh, Scotland. Our team thoroughly enjoyed both tours and learned a lot.

18. Online Historical Sites

Many online field trips focus on learning about history. You and your class can visit significant sites all around the world and learn how these locations shaped modern history.

Here is a short list of historical sites with online experiences:

• The Sistine Chapel
• The Taj Mahal
• Ellis Island
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Gettysburg Battlefield

There are many other historically significant locations you can visit online.

19. DIY Virtual Field Trips

Some schools give students options to vote on the yearly field trip. Since online field trips use minimal time and resources, every student can design a dream trip. Instead of organizing a virtual trip yourself, you can assign the planning to your students. Every participant can design an itinerary by using Google Tour Creator .

Students may choose to explore areas such as the tombs of pharaohs, or the birth cities of American jazz. Your students will become the tour guides and teach peers about the chosen topic.

Most of these virtual field trips are available to anyone, and are free to access, meaning your students can visit or revisit the sites anytime. To make your activity extra special, seek out guide-led, live, interactive experiences so that your students can hold conversations with an expert. You can also supplement the trip with assignments and fun games.

Next, check out our list of games to play on Zoom, this list of Google Meet games , and this one with online art classes .

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FAQ: Virtual field trips

Here are some of the most common questions and answers about virtual field trips.

What are virtual field trips?

Virtual field trips are learning excursions that happen online through video conferencing software, livestream video, or digital map and photograph platforms. For example, a virtual zoo tour or an online visit to the Great Wall of China.

What are good online field trip ideas?

The best online field trips often revolve around experiences that are off-limits or logistically impossible for in-person visits. To keep students interested, these activities should involve interactive elements such as question and answer sessions, games, and special requests.

How do you do a virtual field trip?

The first step in planning virtual field trips is to decide on your venue and activity. You can choose between self-guided tours or live-guided experiences. Typically, live video and interaction makes for a more compelling visit. Once you choose your trip, pick a day and time for your visit and inform the students. You can plan additional activities like research assignments and presentations to enhance your student’s learning. You can also make the day special by providing themed snacks.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

That was so cool!! I am a child and I am making these things for my JK sister. This was really helpful. Thank you!!

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Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com.

Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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Bringing STEM Curriculum to Life with Field Trips

• Lauren Chiangpradit
• July 4, 2023
• Reviewed by Sean Barton
• Reviewed by Haley MacLean

Table of Contents

The Power of Field Trips in STEM Education

Science center: exploring interactive exhibits and science demonstrations, amusement park: investigating physics in motion, nature walk: examining ecosystems and biodiversity, zoos and aquariums: studying animal behavior and conservation, botanical gardens: exploring plant life and horticulture, museums: delving into history and scientific discoveries, virtual field trips: exploring remote locations and virtual laboratories, city walks (engineering focus): examining urban infrastructure and architecture, baseball game: applying math concepts to sports analytics, planning your stem field trip: key considerations, integrating field trips into your stem curriculum.

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) curriculum is essential to a child’s education. With STEM jobs rising faster than non-STEM careers and the well-paying nature of these roles, there has been an emphasis on increasing student access to quality STEM education. There are a variety of different ways to improve STEM literacy . Most often, STEM learning is facilitated in the classroom by educators and at home by parents. But, sometimes the most effective way to introduce complex STEM concepts to students is through hands-on interactive lessons in a new environment. A great example of this is planning field trips that connect STEM lessons to real-world experiences and scenarios. In this blog, educators and school administrators will learn how to bring the STEM curriculum to life through field trips and potential ideas for the coming school year. 

Field trips offer invaluable experiential learning opportunities that play a vital role in students’ STEM education. By learning outside the classroom, students can further solidify their understanding of STEM concepts through real-world applications. These hands-on experiences not only enhance their learning experience but develop a deeper connection with the lesson. Field trips provide students with the chance to witness scientific principles in action, interact with professionals in STEM fields, and explore diverse environments. This exposure to real-world STEM can ignite curiosity and inspire a passion for further exploration.

Field trips also play a crucial role in inspiring students to pursue careers in STEM fields. By exposing them to diverse STEM environments and engaging with professionals in the industry, students gain insights into the exciting STEM workforce. These experiences can help students familiarize themselves with STEM careers and highlight the various career options if they continue to improve their STEM literacy. By observing scientists, engineers, and other STEM professionals, students can envision themselves in these roles, sparking their aspirations and motivating them to explore STEM further. This connection can spark a passion for STEM, which will transfer over to future lessons in the classroom.

STEM Field Trip Ideas

Science centers provide a dynamic learning environment for students, offering hands-on exhibits, interactive displays, and science demonstrations. Students can engage in experiments, observe scientific principles in action, and interact with STEM professionals. These field trips allow students to explore various STEM disciplines and gain a deeper understanding of scientific concepts through immersive experiences.

Amusement parks provide an exciting opportunity for students to apply their knowledge of physics in a thrilling setting. By observing and analyzing the mechanics of rides, such as roller coasters, students witness principles like gravity, acceleration, and friction. These field trips encourage students to think critically about the science behind the rides they enjoy, fostering an appreciation for the real-world applications of STEM in entertainment and engineering.

Nature walks offer a chance to explore the natural world while incorporating STEM concepts. Students can observe and document ecosystems, identify plant and animal species, and learn about ecological interactions. These field trips allow students to develop their observation and data collection skills, as well as appreciate the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability.

Zoos and aquariums provide an immersive experience for students to learn about animal behavior, habitats, and conservation efforts. Students have the opportunity to observe various species up close and study their adaptations

Botanical gardens offer a rich learning environment for students to explore the world of plants, horticulture, and botany. Students observe different plant species, learn about their growth cycles, and understand the importance of plants in the ecosystem. These field trips provide opportunities for hands-on activities like gardening workshops and plant identification exercises. This can foster a deeper understanding of plant biology and environmental sustainability.

Museums offer a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experiences across various STEM disciplines. Students explore exhibits on natural history, space exploration, technological advancements, and scientific discoveries. These field trips enable students to engage with artifacts, interactive displays, and educational programs, sparking curiosity and broadening their understanding of STEM throughout history.

Virtual field trips provide access to remote locations and virtual laboratories, allowing students to explore places and conduct experiments beyond their physical reach. Through virtual reality and online platforms, students can virtually visit historical sites, explore outer space, or participate in interactive simulations. These field trips offer flexibility and a diverse range of experiences, ensuring access to STEM education regardless of geographical or physical constraints.

City walks with an engineering focus provide students with opportunities to observe and analyze urban infrastructure, architectural marvels, and sustainable design. Students study bridges, skyscrapers, transportation systems, and renewable energy installations. These field trips foster an appreciation for engineering that can spark a passion and energy to learn more about potential engineering careers in the future.

Attending a baseball game provides an exciting opportunity for students to apply math concepts to the world of sports analytics. By analyzing various statistical data and game scenarios, students can gain a deeper understanding of mathematical principles while exploring their application in a real-life context.

During a baseball game, students can engage in activities that involve statistical analysis. They can calculate batting averages, on-base percentages, and slugging percentages for players. By tracking pitch counts, students can examine probabilities and analyze pitch selection strategies. By connecting STEM to sports, in this case, baseball, students can begin to connect what they are learning to STEM Jobs in Sports. This exciting new potential career path can motivate them to continue to improve their STEM literacy skills and pursue STEM degrees.

There are various factors to consider when planning field trips that connect to STEM learning. Below is a list of key considerations for educators and school administrators to consider when planning a field trip for their students.  

• Alignment with Classroom STEM Curriculum and Standards: Ensure the field trip aligns with the classroom STEM curriculum and state education standards. The trip should provide opportunities for students to reinforce and apply concepts they have learned in the classroom. By linking the field trip experiences to the curriculum, educators can maximize the educational value and relevance of the outing.
• Hands-on and Interactive Experiences: Choose field trip destinations that offer hands-on and interactive experiences. Students should actively engage with STEM concepts through experiments, demonstrations, or activities. By providing opportunities for students to participate and explore, educators can enhance their learning experience and facilitate a deeper understanding of STEM subjects.
• Safety and Supervision: Prioritize the safety and supervision of students during the field trip. Ensure the chosen location adheres to safety guidelines and protocols. Plan for appropriate adult-to-student ratios to maintain a safe and secure environment. 
• Accessibility and Inclusion: Consider the accessibility and inclusion needs of all students when selecting a field trip destination. Choose locations that can accommodate students with diverse abilities and provide inclusive learning experiences. Consider factors such as physical accessibility, sensory considerations, and accommodations for different learning styles to ensure all students can actively participate and benefit from the field trip.
• Engaging and Inspiring STEM Opportunities: Select field trip destinations that offer engaging and inspiring STEM opportunities. Look for locations that provide real-world applications of STEM concepts, opportunities to interact with STEM professionals, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies or research. By exposing students to exciting and innovative experiences, educators can inspire curiosity, spark interest in STEM fields, and motivate students to explore future career paths.

After field trips, students will be excited about what they have learned and eager to apply their newfound knowledge. It is beneficial to facilitate STEM lessons after a field trip that allow students to further develop their understanding through hands-on activities. 

STEM Sports® is an education company that provides K-8 turnkey STEM curriculum to K-8 students. Each lesson uses a different sport to connect key STEM concepts to real-world situations – in this case, sports scenarios. Every STEM Sports® curriculum kit comes with all of the materials, teaching tools, and assessments needed to facilitate the lesson with students. Whether educators are facilitating lessons after a field trip or preparing students for an interactive experience, STEM Sports® curricula are a great additional resource for any K-8 classroom. If you are looking for STEM resources to improve STEM literacy in students and accent existing classroom curriculum and activities, visit STEM Sports® and view our current curriculum offers .

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ONSITE AND VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS ADD VALUE TO STEM EDUCATION

• STEM EDUCATION ARTICLES & OPINIONS
• Onsite and Virtual Field Trips Add Value to STEM Education

One of the best ways to increase students' interest in a subject is to participate in it. Direct experience with a STEM topic often comes from an onsite or virtual field trip, taking concepts out of the classroom and into the real world.

Fields Trips and Their Benefits

Most field trips serve as excursions that allow students to interact with models and processes that demonstrate concepts they're learning in class. Educators typically facilitate field trips for one or more reasons:

• Give students direct experience with a subject
• Stimulate continued interest in a topic
• Make a subject more relevant to students' everyday lives
• Enhance students' observational and analytical skills
• Promote social skills as learners interact with experts

Field trips provide greater access to tools and settings that most kids can't get in a traditional classroom. Suppose students want to learn more about aerospace engineers. In that case, they might meet with a NASA engineer and ask her questions about her job. Such engagements expose students to real-life situations and possibly encourage them to visualize themselves in STEM occupations.

Experiential learning that comes from field trips increases students' STEM knowledge and motivation to pursue additional learning opportunities. Field trips also enhance learners' interest in science and math topics, regardless of prior engagement. Students are also more likely to feel more positively toward science and recall field trip experiences long after exposure.

Making the Most of Field Trips

Despite their benefits to STEM learning, field trips can present potential problems. Some museum displays might be flashy or too watered down, obfuscating the knowledge and intent behind them. Also, students might learn about the outcomes of scientific discovery without understanding the ethical or methodological difficulties inherent in the scientific process.

With the proper preparation, teachers can circumvent some of the pitfalls above and help students get the most out of their field trips. Here are some steps educators can take before, during, and after an excursion:

• Become familiar with the field trip setting.
• Give students a schedule in advance, including expectations and learning objectives.
• Engage students in pre-visit lessons or activities to orient them to the upcoming experience.
• Ensure there is an activity during the visit; also allow time for students' individual or group exploration.
• Debrief students after the field trip to reinforce learning.

What follows are examples of onsite and virtual field trips that expose students to various STEM topics.

Aerospace and Aviation

Students can take part in a field trip through the National STEM Academy of the Museum of Aviation . This excursion teaches about various aspects of flight. It's available to traditional and homeschool students, Boy and Girl Scout troops, and other groups from pre-kindergarten through high school.

Students who can't get to an actual museum or space center can participate in Nickelodeon's Slime in Space. This short virtual field trip shows learners how their trademark slime behaves in the zero-gravity environment of the International Space Station.

Computer Science and Technology

Learners interested in computers can virtually visit the National Museum of Computing , which holds the world's most extensive collection of historic computers. Self-paced and guided expert-led tours acquaint students with the origins and development of modern computing.

The Stanley Black & Decker Makerspace helps students see how math, science, and technology fuel inventions. When they get a chance to work alongside technology experts, learners can picture themselves as the next generation of innovators.

Physics and Design

According to the Roller Skating Association International , roller rinks present an excellent opportunity to teach about motion, physics, and engineering. Amusement parks are another type of venue where students can see physics in action. The Annenberg Foundation sponsors Amusement Park Physics , a virtual field trip that teaches pupils physics concepts like the laws of motion and the concept of "weightlessness."

Earth Science and Conservation

Being geographically close to an iFLY indoor skydiving center presents opportunities to learn about wind. Students can visit an iFLY location and study the effects of vertical wind tunnels and see other STEM demonstrations.

Students interested in ecosystems and conservation can virtually visit the Internet of Things . Through this exhibit, students can see how smart speakers, sensors, and other computing devices can help conserve natural resources and make communities ecologically sustainable.

Also Read: Legos and Legoland Make STEM More Fun with Play based Learning Engaging Children in STEM through Video Games Importance of STEM Education in Elementary Schools NASA Engineer Diana Trujillo Advocates for Women of Color in STEM

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