Aesthetics in Education

Fantastic Field Trips: Part 2

THE LOGISTICS

Scope out the trip before you take the students. Things to look for:

• bathrooms
  
• access to drinking water
• if it is outside is there shelter in case of inclement weather
• parking—will you have your students walk through the parking lot, or will you drop them off. If you drop them off who will stay with them
  
• if you are going to a program—what will they offer? Does it fit with what you have been doing? Will you need a pre-trip lesson or would a post-trip lesson or reflection be best? Try and talk with the field trip coordinator before you go.
• Where will you eat lunch?
• What supplies will your students need? Pencils, paper, sunscreen, hats, warm layers, rain layers, sturdy shoes, bug spray, water bottles (maybe two), a backpack to carry it all?
• This would also be a great time to check out how long the drive will take. If you are taking a long trip think about where you could stop to use the restroom.

This may seem daunting but to successfully set up all of the conditions for having an aesthetic experience, you need to have a solid grasp of where you are going. Remember field trips should support your curriculum and offer chances for heightened learning experiences.

NOTE: Please take the pieces that fit for what you need. This is meant to be helpful so pick and choose. If you do not have time to travel to the site this can be a guide to some questions you may want to ask.