Top Field Trip Destinations 4 Students in Des Moines

Top Field Trip Destinations 4 Students in Des Moines

“We’re going on a field trip!” Music to the ears of most students. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Travel Association and reported by the National Education Association a large percentage of students indicated that educational field trips had a positive, lasting impact on their education and career because the trips made them more engaged, intellectually curious and interested in and out of school. Des Moines’ attractions, museums, natural settings and family-friendly lifestyle offer a wide variety of field trips for every age group and interest.

Science Safari

Science Center of Iowa

401 W Martin Luther King Jr Parkway • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 274-6868 • http://www.sciowa.org/

With two stories of indoor, hands-on exhibits, the Science Center of Iowa provides varied interactive experiences. SCI’s programming supports the Iowa Core, National Science Standards. Popular activities for visiting school groups include interacting with the Center’s Experience Platforms, watching a 20-minute Live Science Program and watching an IMAX film.

In addition to self-guided field trips, teachers can choose to add a hands-on Discovery Lab to their visit. Programs for pre-K through 12th grade come in 45-60 minutes lengths and cover topics such as “Chemistry Kids”, “Our Changing Earth” and “Crime Scene Science”. Admission discounts are available for groups. Learn more at http://www.sciowa.org/learn/school-visits/.

Top Field Trip Destinations 4 Students in Des Moines – dsm4kids.com

Brenton Arboretum

25141 260th Street • Dallas Center, IA 50063 • (515) 992-4211 • http://www.thebrentonarboretum.org/

Brenton Arboretum near Dallas Center, offers visitors the chance to learn about conservation; experience the natural world and develop an understanding and appreciation of the value of trees. Field trips for K-12 students are offered entirely outdoors. The site features 2,200 different trees and shrubs, several acres of reconstructed prairie, with hiking trails throughout.

The Arboretum provides a “Knee-High Naturalist Program” for grades K-2 and you can call them to arrange appropriate activities for grades 3-12. O’Brien Nature Play Area- open during the center’s business hours – is designed for kids to swing, climb, build, create, crawl through a living tunnel and investigate the butterfly gardens. Learn more at http://www.thebrentonarboretum.org/FieldTrips.asp.

Historical Hiatus

Living History Farms

11121 Hickman Road • Urbandale, IA 50322 • (515) 278-5286 • http://www.lhf.org/

Take students back in time at the various historic farmsteads at Living History Farms. Students can learn about day to day activities on a typical Iowa farm and small town from time periods that illustrate major changes in agricultural technology, procedures and rural life. Offered in spring, summer and fall during their regular season, the curriculum-connected tours are based on both national and state standards in social studies, and other curriculum areas.

Students will learn how farmers grew crops and cared for livestock through various periods; how different types of equipment and tools were used on the farm and in small town businesses; they can also learn how Iowa farms expanded and how small towns developed. Learn more about Living History Farms’ educational offerings at http://www.lhf.org/en/teachers/learn/.

Top Field Trip Destinations 4 Students in Des Moines – dsm4kids.com

State Historical Museum of Iowa

600 E Locust Street • Des Moines, IA 50319 • (515) 281-5111 • http://www.iowahistory.org/museum/index.html

Head to the State Historical Museum of Iowa to experience Iowa’s rich history through collections, exhibits and programs. Most visits begin with a welcome from one of the Museum’s docents or staff members. School groups are then divided up to make their way through the facility on self-guided tours.

The State Historical Museum of Iowa provides a number of educational resources that can be used in conjunction with the tours. Exhibit Worksheets, Bingo Sheets, Treasure Hunts and Exhibit Guides can all be used to supplement and enhance student learning. The Museum’s programs and exhibits align with the State of Iowa’s educational standards. Learn more at https://iowaculture.gov/history/education/field-trips-group-visits. 

Entertaining Education

Blank Park Zoo

7401 SW 9th Street • Des Moines, IA 50315 • (515) 285-4722 • blankparkzoo.com

Let students get up close and personal with all kinds of animals with a field trip to the Blank Park Zoo. “Outings” to the Zoo can be structured a couple of different ways. You can load the kids up and take them on a more traditional daytrip to the Zoo OR you can have the Zoo come to your classroom with “Show and Tells” and “Alive in the Class!” presentations.

If you choose to go to the Zoo, students and chaperones will tour the zoo and the outing can be enhanced with “Show and Tell Education Programs”. A Blank Park Zoo Educator will showcase four animal friends for a special 30 minute presentation just for your group. Students will get an up close introduction to some exotic animal friends and will get to touch most or all of the wildlife at the presentation. Learn more at http://www.blankparkzoo.com/en/admissions_amp_hours/field_trips/.

Top Field Trip Destinations 4 Students in Des Moines – dsm4kids.com

Des Moines Performing Arts

Des Moines Civic Center • 221 Walnut Street • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 246-2300 • http://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/

The Applause Series brings world-class performing artists and diverse art forms to Des Moines Performing Arts’ stages for one-hour matinee performances for school audiences. Each performance connects to in-class curriculum, providing the perfect opportunity for students to learn about and through the arts. Performances in the Applause Series occur during the school day and are open to educators and students ages three and above in public, private, and home school groups.

Educators can also go beyond the performance with a special add-on opportunity that connects to the performance’s themes and content. From field trip collaborations with partnering institutions to workshops led by teaching artists, these opportunities deepen students’ learning experience. Des Moines Performing Arts also provides professionally written curriculum guides for each performance appearing on the Applause Series. In addition to information about the performance, the guides contain curriculum-related activities and discussion questions developed to enhance students’ understanding of the show. 

Lastly, don’t overlook field trips to local organizations, businesses and companies. We’ve taken field trips to local TV stations, veterinarian offices, fire stations, local farms and more. Wherever the curriculum or your kids’ imagination goes, is where you should take them!

 

 

 

Have your kids been on a field trip that they just couldn’t stop talking about? Let us know in the comments below!