Virginia Field Trip Guide
There’s plenty of field trip ideas in history-cloaked Virginia for students of all ages to experience and enjoy, while also learning from the educational experiences
The state of Virginia has a storied history dating back a millennia and played a substantial role in the forming of our great nation. Home of the very first permanent English settlement, Jamestown, the Old Dominion state boasts the humble beginnings of four out of the first five U.S. presidents. As one of the original 13 colonies, Virginia had a pivotal influence in the American Revolution, slavery on prospering plantations and helped secure America’s independence from Britain among other noteworthy contributions, making Virginia a great location for educational field trip ideas.
Virginia History & Heritage Field Trip Ideas
With so much rich history throughout Virginia, the state offers numerous cultural experiences via museums, historical sites and living history opportunities. Field trip groups heading to the Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown can explore America’s first colony at the Jamestown Settlement through guided tours highlighting the town’s story. While there, students can glimpse a replica Papahegh town, a colonial fort with 1607 ships and Powhatan Indian and West African cultures. Or tour the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and discover the hardships of life during a contentious time in history. These are great opportunities to experience an educational field trip through an immersive experience.
No Virginia field trip would be complete without visiting the home of our first president. George Washington’s Mount Vernon is a monumental estate giving visitors an intimate look into our nation’s most revered leader’s life and his actions that led to America’s freedom. Ascertain how George Washington taught the American people that they could govern themselves. Walk the grounds that he and his wife, Martha, did so long ago. Peruse the many authentic outbuildings and gardens still preserved today. Tour his restored 1799 showcase mansion and experience what plantation wealth looked like in each of the authentic rooms full of antique artifacts.
Performing Arts Field Trips in Virginia
A must-visit performing arts venue is the American Shakespeare Center Blackfriars Playhouse in historic Staunton. Step back in time to the world’s only life-size replica of Shakespeare’s original indoor theater. Field trip groups can admire the ornate details of the set and the period-appropriate intricacies while taking in a period-piece.
Check out the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna for a stunning experience. Student groups can engage in fun and exciting performances both online and in person with handouts provided for educators and parents. The venue promotes live music, theater performances and other unique forms of the arts.
Virginia STEM Field Trip Ideas
When your school group visits the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach, students can immerse in many STEM programs focusing on marine life and other native flora and fauna of the region, making this another great field trip idea in Virginia. Get hands-on and discover ocean collections and diverse animal species, and quell curiosities about Mother Nature. Young scientists can learn about things like invertebrates of the Chesapeake Bay, fish anatomy, sharks in the deep and many more exciting topics. The aquarium also offers an array of virtual programs for Pre-K students through high school bringing the sea into the classroom.
Inspire your pupils at the Science Museum of Virginia showcasing many touring exhibits from around the world. Experience live astronomy presentations, get creative in the Art Lab and wow your class in The Dome, the world’s most technologically advanced digital dome theater.
How about a free virtual field trip to the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center located on the eastern shores of Virginia? Take your class to Mars or the moon to explore life-sustaining possibilities or learn how NASA uses robotic spacecraft in space and planet exploration.
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