Field Trip to Field Work

The Science ISI/Fellowship Year included a focus on shifting from a traditional “field trip” to the science-specific “field work.” In order to help students see themselves as scientists, teachers must provide experiences for students to gain practical experience as a scientist would—in the field. Teachers can reframe the well-known “field trip,” which conjures up images of tours, presentations, and sitting and listening, to the real-world task of field work, in which students gain practical experience and knowledge through first-hand observation and participation.

In the summer Science ISI, fellows were presented with ways to bring field work to their current teaching space as well as repurpose existing field trips to give more authentic learning experiences to students. By shifting the words trip to space, fellows were able to reflect on their current use of field trips and identify places in which the opportunities for fieldwork exists in their context and community.

Examples of Field Trip to Field Work Activities:

Micah Lauer, Field Trip to Field Work

Micah Lauer, Cross Cutting Concepts Scavenger Hunt

Reimagining Spaces from Field Trip to Field Work Heuristic

Field Work at the Discovery Center of Idaho: Overview and Activities

MK Nature Center Field Work Notecatcher

Micah Lauer, Field Work Debrief

Field Work in Action:

Science Fellows visited the MK Nature Center in Boise, ID with the task of creating field work experiences incorporating Scientific Practices and Cross Cutting Concepts.

With a focus on making close observations and asking questions, Science Fellows explored Sagebrush in McCall, ID at Ponderosa State Park.