My first virtual field trip with my class was with a geologist at the University of Maine. Virtual field trips were just beginning to emerge, and as part of my district's technology grant, I was lucky enough to be a pioneer on the virtual playground. This early experience took an IT tech to set up the school's best TV in our media room. Even in this low-tech setup, the kids and I were amazed that we could connect and interact live with someone in another part of the country and become "certified" rock hounds.
With amazing tech advances, standards with greater rigor, and increasing opportunities, finding just the right virtual experiences for students can be overwhelming. Unlike those earlier days when only a few hundred virtual field trips were floating around, now teachers can choose experiences that match standards in any content area.
If you are looking for virtual field trips or experiences, the sites listed below may be worth a look. To save you time, the links should take you directly to the virtual experience page of each site. As always, preview the tours and webinars to ensure they are appropriate for your students!
1. Yellowstone National Park
Topics include animals, winter adaptations, ecology, geysers, volcanoes, and the night sky to name a few.
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/education-videos.htm
2. The National Zoo
Live virtual events are free and require advanced sign-up. Topics include habitats, life cycles, and a zoo walk.
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/education/virtual-programs-calendar
Check out the live animal cams! Why is that panda always sleeping and where is the elephant hiding?
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams
3. Ellis Island
This virtual experience is run by Scholastic and is prerecorded. Park rangers explain the history of Ellis Island and take questions from classrooms. The virtual tour may help you meet the immigration standards in your curriculum.
https://www.nps.gov/elis/learn/education/classrooms/virtual-learning.htm
4. Museum of the American Revolution
Allow plenty of time for this one! Rather than simply viewing old stuff, this museum's virtual (and in-person) experience revolves around 4 questions that will encourage you and your students to ponder The American Revolution on a deeper level.
https://museumvirtualtour.org/
5. Access Mars
Don't skip the intro!
https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/
Please note that 4th Grade Frenzy is not affiliated with any websites or companies listed above. They are noted for informational and educational purposes to be used at your discretion.
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