Science Field Trips for High School Students in Virginia

Are you looking for ideas for field trips for high school science classes in Virginia?

Virginia is for science education lovers.

Mount Rogers, near Radford, Virginia

Why is Mt. Roger's a worthy school field trip for high school science classes?

From the Radford University Field School website:

"The Mount Rogers area contains some of the most spectacular scenery and rugged terrain in Virginia. Mount Rogers is the highest elevation in Virginia (5729 ft), and nearby Whitetop Mountain (5520 ft) is the second highest peak. The area is located in the Blue Ridge province, and contains a unique record of the Precambrian history of Virginia. It is the only place in Virginia that preserves evidence of ancient glaciation. In addition, massive rhyolite lava flows erupted there some 760 million years ago. It is located near the tri-state boundary (VA, TN, NC) in Grayson, Smyth, and Washington Counties near the town of Konnarock, VA."

Fast facts for science classes:

*In addition to a tour, you can also participate in a virtual tour from the Mount Rogers website.

*Restrooms are located at the visitor's center.

Contact information:

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

3714 Highway 16

Marion, VA 24354

(276) 783-5196

(800) 628-7202

Pocahontas Exhibition Mine and Museum, Tazewell, Virginia

Why is the Pocahontas Exhibition Mine & Museum a worthy school field trip for high school science classes?

From the Pocahontas, VA website:

"It is the only Exhibition Coal Mine in the world in which visitors may view the famed Pocahontas #3 Coal Seam, which is more than ten feet in height, seen in its original state. The interior is well lit, and visitors will see how coal was cut, blasted down and loaded into mine cars."

Fast Facts for science classes:

*Open mid-April through November.

*Tickets are $7.00 for the mine tour and education room for those over 12 years of age but group discounts are available.

*Entrance to the museum if free.

Contact information for school field trips:

For more information call 276-945-2134 or 276-945-9522. Email questions to info@pocahontasva.org.

Virginia Air & Space Center, Hampton Roads, Virginia

Why is the Virginia Air & Space Museum a worthy school field trip for high school science classes?

From the Virginia Air & Space Museum website:

"Take flight to the Virginia Air & Space Center, the visitor center for NASA Langley Research Center and Langley Air Force Base. Your imagination will soar as you launch a rocket, pilot a space shuttle, come face-to-face with the Apollo 12 Command Module, and a DC-9 passenger jet. Experience a 3D IMAX film in the Riverside IMAX Theater...you have to see it to believe it! There is always something new landing at the Virginia Air & Space Center!"

Fast facts for science classes:

*Prices vary from $7.50 to $15.00 per person depending on chosen program.

*Programs are designed to meet Virginia's SOLs for pre-K through 12^th grade.

*Virginia Air & Space Museum also offers outreach programs called Science on the Move.

Contact information:

Call (757) 727-0900, ext. 780 for more information on educational programs or call (757) 727-0900, ext. 759 to book an outreach.

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, various sites through out Virginia

What does the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries have to offer high school science classes?

From the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website:

"Project WILD is one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school. The program emphasizes wildlife because of their intrinsic, ecological value, as well as their role in teaching how ecosystems function. In the face of competing needs and pressures affecting the quality and sustainability of life on earth, Project WILD addresses the need for human beings to develop as responsible citizens of our planet. It is based on the premise that young people and educators have a vital interest in learning about our natural world. Each Project WILD activity contains all the information needed to conduct that activity including objectives, method, background information, a list of materials needed, procedures, evaluation suggestions, recommended grade levels, subject areas, duration, group size, setting, and key terms. A glossary is provided, as well as a cross-reference by topics and skills."

Fast facts:

*There are 9 fish hatcheries in the state of Virginia.

*VDG&I also offers a program called "Virginia WILD" a free, six hour class for science teachers for grades K-12 who are started a schoolyard project.

Contact information:

Carol A. Heiser, Wildlife Habitat Education Coordinator

Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries

4010 W. Broad St.

Richmond, VA 23230

(804) 367-6989

Suzie Gilley, Project WILD Coordinator

(804) 367-0188

Sources:

www.radford.edu/~fldsch/RUFieldschool/fieldtrips/MountRogers/MtRogersIndex.html

http://pocahontasva.org/museum.html

http://www.vasc.org/teacher/

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/education/