Science Field Trips for Elementary Students in Ohio

Elementary students love science field trips. These three suggestions offer a look at how earth materials have been used to create our buildings, monuments and other structures or a look at the way our Ohio clay developed a pottery industry and finally a science center that offers a wide variety of science exhibits and demonstrations. Any one of these field trips would enrich a student's education in many ways.

Earth Science Week Walking Tours

I series of one-hour walking tours of downtown Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati were developed in 2000 based on a 1990's publication by the Ohio Division of Geological Survey and the Ohio Section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists. Each tour covers multiple locations in each city: Cleveland - 20, Columbus - 20 and Cincinnati - 23. Complete descriptions of the rocks are included for each location, the building, monument or other structure, identifying the material used as building stones and their classification as igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary. A map and photographs of each location is included in the downloadable brochure.

Any one of these three walking tours would give elementary students an opportunity to view the structure as they learn about the rocks used in the building process. What a wonderful way to learn about Earth Science and to celebrate Earth Science Week.

The Museum of Ceramics

Operated by the Museum of Ceramics Foundation and the Ohio Historical society this museum allows us to learn about the wares produced in a city commonly known as "America's Crockery City" or "The Pottery Capitol of the Nation". Students may enjoy a one-hour tour which begins with a 35 minute multimedia show. Students will leave the tour with a great understanding of the history of the pottery industry in East Liverpool as well as images of displays still fresh in their minds.

Call the Museum of Ceramics, 400 East Fifth Street, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920 at 330-386-6001 or 800-600-7180 to arrange a tour Tuesday through Friday between 9:30 and 2:30. Admission is $2.00 per student. Adult chaperones with a group of 20 or more students will be eligible for the $2.00 admission rate also.

Great Lakes Science Center

Students will be delighted with the variety of exhibits and demonstrations available for them. Admission to the Great Lakes Science Center and NASA Visitor Center includes one free science demonstration and space to eat lunch. There are a number of field trip packages available which must be planned and paid for at least two weeks in advance. Some of the exhibits include the Science Phenomena Floor, NASA Glenn Visitor Center, OMNIMAX Theatre, Biomedical Technology Gallery, Polymer Funhouse, Steamship William G. Mather and Alternative Energy.

Visit the Great Lakes Science Center at 601 Erieside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114 phone 216-694-2000 or www.greatscience.com make reservations by calling 216-621-2400. Visit the Field Trip page for easy planning and complete information.