Suggested Science Excursions for Michigan Students K-6

Science students on field trips are benefited with the opportunity to experience what they learn, outside of a school room and away from their daily schedule. Group trips provide interaction, and often qualify for discounted admission to museums, science centers, or other places of interest. In a contribution for eHow titled, "Field Trip Ideas in Michigan" Jen Marx reports that Michigan has a host of potential field trip locations that are appropriate for local students going on a day trip, or out-of-town classes on overnight expeditions. Taken from my experiences as a Michigan resident and elementary school student, here are some recommendations:

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum (220 E. Ann, Ann Arbor)

The official website shows that the mission of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is to inspire people to discover the wonder of science, math and technology. Pure Michigan describes this place as an interactive science museum for people all ages, featuring more than 250 hands-on exhibits, science demonstrations and special events that bring chemistry, physics, geology, math, music and more to life! Its "Field Trip" web page boasts, "We enjoy working with educators to support classroom instruction in a unique, hands-on atmosphere."

Discounted admission rates are available for pre-registered groups of 20 or more.

Open hours are Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., 12 p.m.-5 p.m. (Open on Tues. from 9 a.m.). General admission is priced at $9, with no cost for kids age 1 & under. To make a reservation, call (734)995-5439.

U-M Exhibit Museum of Natural History (1109 Geddes, Ann Arbor)

The U-M Exhibit Museum of Natural History encourages young minds to understand and appreciate the natural world , as well as our place in it. Including a domed planetarium with a 360-degree screen surrounding the audience, exhibits include displays exploring the areas of prehistoric life (with the most extensive dinosaur exhibits throughout Michigan), Michigan wildlife, anthropology, and geology. Its "About The Museum" web page has information that a new gallery for temporary exhibits was created in 2005.

Most of the estimated 20,000 school children who visit the museum each year participate in guided tours and educational programs. A city guide of Ann Arbor has reported the planetarium hosts shows on weekends, most of them suitable for children, and on weekdays for school and community groups. A non-refundable $75 deposit (applied to program fee), is due within 3 weeks of the reservation date, with the balance due on arrival (no additional fee). Teachers are admitted free, chaperones are charged the same rate as students, and every home-schooled group of 10-30 visitors receive no-cost admission for up to 3 adults. While scheduling, please include the date and time of visit, group number of adults and children, activities planned, and school address and phone number.

Museum hours are Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., noon-5 p.m. There is no charge for general admission. Field trip reservations are made by phone at (734)764-0480 from 9-5 weekdays. A brochure written by the museum shows that all reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.

Detroit Science Center (5020 John R, Detroit)

Considered to be one of the 10 largest science museums in the US, the Detroit Science Center is described by freep.com as a hands-on museum that inspires its visitors to pursue and support careers in engineering, technology and science. It is written on Wikipedia, "The Science Center has Michigan's only Chrysler IMAX Dome Theatre; the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium; the DTE Energy Sparks Theater; the Chrysler Science Stage; an 8,700 square-foot Science Hall for traveling exhibits; hands-on exhibit galleries focusing on space, life and physical science; the United States Steel Fun Factory; an exhibit gallery just for pint-size scientists; and a Special Events Lobby." In a profile published by About.com: Detroit, Laura Sternberg writes that its ever expanding exhibits and live demonstrations make science fun.

According to an attachment from The Science Center's homepage, "To help classes achieve higher MEAP scores, the Detroit Science Center's education department has prepared a $3 school group experience completely focused on MEAP objectives for specific grade levels." These field trips include the following: A MEAP Rally (A morning game show, held on the Chrysler Science Stage, in which students answer sample MEAP questions in a goal to win the MEAP Me! Award.), Scavenger Hunt (Downloaded from the MEAP Me! page on The Science Center website, the scavenger hunt has its participants finding clues and searching for answers in hands-on exhibits that focus on MEAP objectives.), Demonstration Stations (Space, life, earth and physical science, and chemistry are explored through MEAP-related activities in special demonstration areas.), Toyota Engineering Theater (State-of-the-art digital video, dramatic lighting and active seating are incorporated in an interactive journey, showing the work of real-life engineers.), and an IMAX or Planetarium Upgrade (A MEAP-related theater show, only $5 per student.). Transportation can be provided by contacting DHT Transportation at (313)895-1300.

Current hours of operation are listed on the website as Tue.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sun., 12 p.m.-6 p.m. General admission is priced at $13.95 (adult 13 and over), $11.95 (senior 60 and over), $11.95 (child 12 and under), and no cost for children 2 and under. Group pricing and museum memberships are available. To make a reservation for a field trip, dial 313-577-8400, Option 5.

Steps to Planning a Field Trip

When scheduling a field trip, remember to collect all permission slips and use the buddy-system. Recruit assistance with chaperones if possible, and have an age-appropriate, academically focused trip. In an article published by Associated Content, Tom Bradwell has written that the best antidote to a stress-filled field trip is having a solid, well-developed plan.

Sources

1.)Jen Marx, "Field Trip Ideas in Michigan l eHow.co.uk" eHow

2.)Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, "Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum: Mission" Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

3.)Pure Michigan, "Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum - Ann Arbor For Kids, Science Museum - Pure Michigan Travel" Pure Michigan

4.)Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, "Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum: Field Trips" Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

5.)University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History "Exhibit Museum" University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History

6.)arborweb, "Ann Arbor Museums" arborweb

7.)University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History, "EdBrochure10 - Powered by Google Docs" Google docs

8.)freep.com, "Detroit Science Center | freep.com | Detroit Free Press" freep.com

9.)Wikipedia, "Detroit Science Center-Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" Wikipedia

10.)Laura Sternberg, "New Detroit Science Center - Profile of the New Detroit Science Center" About.com: Detroit

11.)Detroit Science Center, "http://www.detroitsciencecenter.org/attachments/MEAP%2010-11half-price.pdf" Detroit Science Center

12.)Detroit Science Center, "Detroit Science Center | Planning Your Visit | Tickets & Hours" Detroit Science Center

13.)Tom Bradwell, "How to Make Sure that Your Next Field Trip is Not a Waste of Time - Associated Content - associ-" Associated Content