Take student travel groups on a science trip to Washington DC
Student tour group leaders and teachers often take school groups to Washington DC on government and historical tours. Our nation’s capitol has a rich history, and the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government are centrally located there. This makes a trip to Washington DC perfect for studying history and government.
However, Washington DC is also an ideal location for student trips that focus on science-based learning. There are numerous points of interest in the Washington DC area that complement the study of science, including: Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Museum of Natural and American History, NASA Goddard Visitor Center, Washington Science Center Maryland, Baltimore National Aquarium, Marian Koshland Museum of Science, and the National Zoo. In addition to scheduling visits to these locations on the itinerary, student groups can also reserve time to visit the US Capitol/Supreme Court on a day trip.
This article will provide a brief overview of the main points of interest for a science tour of Washington DC.
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and Smithsonian Museum of American Natural History
These two museums are an excellent starting point for an educational scientific journey. American space explorations and innovations in flight are well documented and preserved at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Students may participate in tours or educational programs appropriate for specific grade levels. A visit to the Air and Space Museum will provide hands-on learning about aircraft, outer space explorations, and pivotal moments in US history when American scientists and programs led the world in discoveries on spaceflight and missions.
The American Museum of Natural History offers guided and self-guided tours and educational programs related to the history of the earth: fossils, stones, animals, wildlife and prehistoric remains, ocean environments, and more. Student groups can visit permanent or special exhibits related to their curricular studies, and teachers can focus the visit on exhibits that complement real-world learning experiences in the natural sciences classroom. A visit to these two Smithsonian museums provides an excellent opportunity to learn about science.
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
At the NASA Goddard Visitor Center, student groups gain a deeper level of understanding of contemporary space exploration. The group can view photos taken from the Hubble Space Telescope with images of planets, galaxies, black holes, and views of Earth taken from outer space. Students can watch movies from earth and outer space in the Science on a Sphere screening room, where the movie is projected on a spherical screen. Student groups will also learn about information collected from satellites and other vehicles designed to explore deep space, through photographs of phenomena on earth, the sun, and the planets. Student education is enhanced through the lens of high-tech devices used by NASA scientists to expand our knowledge of the universe.
Maryland Science Center and Baltimore National Aquarium
Located in Baltimore, MD, just an hour from Washington DC, are two top attractions for science students: the Maryland Science Center and the Baltimore National Aquarium. The Maryland Science Center has a rooftop observatory as well as nightly Sky and Stars SkiCasts to help the astronomy student interpret the activities of the stars, planets and other celestial bodies and events. Students can view live science and chemical experiments on the demonstration stage, watch science movies projected on a sphere, or ride Segways as they tour the Maryland Science Center.
At the Baltimore National Aquarium, students will be especially pleased with the new exhibit, “A Dolphin’s World,” an extraordinary dolphin show that teaches students about the ocean planet and how human behavior in and near the Chesapeake Bay watershed affects the environment of dolphins. We have a daily basis. The Baltimore National Aquarium also has a 4-D Immersion Theater with daily shows and 16,500 animals on display. It’s no wonder that the Baltimore National Aquarium is internationally known and recognized as one of the best aquariums in the United States. The opportunity to visit the Baltimore National Aquarium will complement any classroom study of oceanography and life under the sea.
Marian Koshland Museum of Science
The Marian Koshland Museum of Science at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington DC features interactive exhibits that teach visitors about the immediate impact science has on our daily lives. Here students will learn about the importance of safe drinking water, infectious diseases, DNA, and some of the wonders of science. The exhibits are ongoing and will change from time to time. Teachers are encouraged to consult the Museum website to coordinate curricular plans with current exhibits.
national zoo
The National Zoo is a spectacular showcase of animals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians from a variety of ecosystems from around the world. There are numerous exhibits, many with a geographic focus such as North America, Asia, the Amazon, and Africa; Species-focused exhibits include: big cats, giant pandas, birds, and Asian elephants. Teachers can access the National Zoo website well in advance of the trip to develop lesson plans that are in sync with the visit. The curriculum guides are grade-specific and available for free download, with basic materials included for classroom learning, making it easy for teachers to prepare students for the trip to the National Zoo.
Teachers looking to organize a science trip will find plenty of opportunities for quality educational experiences in Washington DC and Baltimore. Some of the best science museums in the world are located in the capital city. For more information on a science-based student trip and itinerary, visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com or email [email protected] for scheduling or pricing details.