The Museum of Tolerance In-Person Field Trip Has Been Canceled

The in-person Museum of Tolerance field trip was canceled for 8th graders this year. It is believed that it will stay this way and continue as a "virtual field trip" for future students. Many believe that students should attend the field trip in person, as it just isn't fair that they no longer have the opportunity to experience the museum in person for several reasons. First off, the Holocaust is fascinating to the students; it would be nice to explore real artifacts from the Holocaust instead of viewing everything through a screen. If you want to see something virtually, you can just look it up, but in person viewing the items up close would give students the ability to imagine how the items were used and understand them more clearly. Secondly, going on a field trip would positively impact students’ time to socialize with others. Lastly, it would have a humongous impact on students' lives, allowing them to see the world differently and appreciate everything much more. The in-person experience would help students gain a different perspective on life.

First off, the Holocaust is fascinating to students. It’s a topic that is of course sad to look back on, but it would be nice to explore the real-life items from the Holocaust. Since the topic is so depressing, learning about how people were treated would educate students and help them understand right from wrong. Students clearly still have not matured since they think it's funny to joke around about Nazis and the swastika sign, thinking it's hilarious when it really isn't because of real-life experiences that others went through. Giving students the opportunity to see everything up close and hear from mentors about the Holocaust would help them realize that making jokes about this topic is certainly not okay and would undoubtedly benefit them. Sophia Paulino, a 7th-grade student, stated, “I believe the Museum of Tolerance is an educational place to go to and students should learn new things that they might've not known before.” Especially since the Holocaust is appealing to 7th-graders, it is important for them to have the opportunity to attend the in-person Museum of Tolerance field trip.

Secondly, going on a field trip would positively impact students' time to socialize with others. Seeing each other's reactions to the Museum of Tolerance may say a lot about others. Students would have a better time with friends and could have group discussions about each other's thoughts and ways of coping or learning. For example, 7th grade student, Scarlett Bernal, stated, “I love going on educational field trips because they are a great way to learn and explore new things. It's also fun to bond with classmates while seeing real-life examples of what we're learning about.” This clearly shows how bonding with classmates academically improves students' experience of learning while having fun and being in good company. English teacher, Ms.Gunderson, stated, “I am less sanguine about the idea of a ‘zoom trip’ to the museum. I frankly just do not believe it will have the same impact at all. Hopefully, the docents will be very engaging and organized so that the students can learn important life lessons!” This shows how she believes the new virtual field trip won't have the same feeling or impact as experiencing it in person and that it should be changed. 

Lastly, it may have a significant impact on students' lives by allowing them to see the world differently and teaching them to appreciate everything much more. This would also encourage them to seek more opportunities to keep on learning. 7th-grade student, Isabelle Sanchez, stated, “I believe going to the Museum of Tolerance will change students' perspectives so they can reflect on each other's biases.” This shows how even students know that attending the museum would have some type of impact on their lives. Ms. Gunderson also stated, “I think the actual physical Museum of Tolerance definitely makes an impact on visitors, because they can put themselves imaginatively in the place of the Holocaust victims. This makes them witness, and it helps them want to stop hatred and prejudice in today's world.” This clearly shows how the opportunity to attend would also give students another opportunity to put themselves in someone else's shoes and experience what people in the Holocaust went through, positively impacting their lives by helping to stop hate and encouraging gratitude. 

Overall, the Museum of Tolerance was an in-person field trip given to previous students, so should it have to stop all of a sudden? This present generation deserves dignity and opportunities, just as previous Fitz students, so they can learn in a more fun, positive, and encouraging way.