Science Field Trip Productions

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

During these tough times, tighter government budgets have reduced or eliminated science-based field trips that have been such a beloved tradition in public elementary schools. Field trips offer a unique type of inspiration that students do not necessarily experience in the school classroom. By partnering with other departments and by attracting experts from the local community into public service, York County’s field trip program helped fill a void in science programming at two elementary schools. The county developed a template for one-day field trip experiences at a low cost. These educational events also provide a venue for local experts to share their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm with today’s youth. The Field Trip Productions’ program staff consists of three coordinators and the field trip staff—approximately 18-21 additional adults per event. With the exception of short familiarization meetings, where the coordinators meet field trip staff at the field trip site one to two weeks in advance to review the location, logistics and expectations, the field trip staff’s time commitment is limited to the day of the event. Teachers and parent chaperones handle any discipline and restroom trips. The students, in turn, have fun within these out-of-the-classroom learning events. Through this centralized county program, local schools have been able to stretch their funding by focusing on activities that can be repeated using the same equipment over multiple field trips. Along the way, the county has developed partnerships with other agencies and community members who share their desire to energize science education within their schools.