by Abby Romeo

For most GS students, field trips aren’t just about missing class, they’re a chance to experience what they are learning about.  

For some, the experience goes beyond academics and creates memories with classmates.  

“Anytime I go on a field trip, I find a great crew of people, “senior Rocco 

Himes said. “We have an amazing time.”  

 Students value the educational experience that may be difficult to experience in a classroom. 

“They provide so much educational experience that you can’t do inside a classroom,” sophomore Ava Richards said. “It’s also nice to take what you’re learning outside the classroom.”  

Students take field trips to their advantage to explore new environments, connect with their peers, and an experience lessons in a more interactive setting.  

“Field trips open up the doors of learning wide open,” Rocco Himes said. “You can talk to people in a career field, that you’re learning about and see the objects that you’re learning about in the real world.” 

A field trip can consist of a full day of school, or a return late at night.  

“It’s a nice break from the everyday grind of school,” Himes said. “It also enables us to learn in a new and different way.”  

Teachers are heavily involved with the field trips and have a big impact.  

“I mainly focus on the students that are interested,” Science Teacher Mrs. Cheryl Harper said. “I choose students who I think would enjoy it and benefits their education.”  

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Physics students pose at Penn State for the nuclear reactor field trip.

Photo Courtesy: Zachary Van Horn

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Teachers also value the thought of the education side of the field trip. Students often learn more and gather more information from field trips.  

“Most field trips connect as a broad span of things,” Mrs. Harper said. “We’ve experienced many field trips that consisted of metal programs and science.”  

The educational experience of learning is more hands-on, but most remember it as a memory.  

“I want field trips to be something that students receive good memories from,” 

Harper said. “It’s nice for the extra fun add-ons, instead of sitting in a desk.”  

The energy and curiosity sparked during field trips can be reflected in daily instruction.  

“I focus on what is exciting and interesting about a field trip and how can we incorporate that same level of excitement and motivation into our regular classroom lessons,” Art Teacher Darryl Audia said.