Virtual field trips are a game-changer in education, offering exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences that transcend classroom walls. With the latest Virtual Field Trips from Discovery Education, teachers can lean on these effective instructional strategies to bring these exciting experiences into their classrooms, sparking curiosity and deepening understanding across grade bands.
The Superpower of Story: A Virtual Field Trip to Warner Bros. Studios
Students in grades 6-12 thrive on exploration and critical thinking. An inquiry-based approach will allow students to analyze the role of storytelling in entertainment, questioning how narratives are crafted and why they resonate.
Implementation
- Before the field trip, introduce essential questions like: What makes a story compelling? How do filmmakers use visual and narrative techniques to shape emotions?
- During the video, have students take notes on key storytelling elements and industry insights.
- Post-trip, facilitate a Socratic Seminar or a project-based activity where students develop their own short scripts or visual storyboards, applying the techniques they learned.
This strategy fosters critical thinking, creative expression, and essential analytical skills across disciplines.
Meet the Magnets: A Virtual Field Trip to the NSF Mag Lab
Students in grades K-5 grasp STEM concepts best through active, tactile experiences, and magnets provide an exciting way to explore forces and interactions with hands-on learning.
Implementation
- Before the video, introduce magnets through simple investigations like testing attraction and repulsion with household items.
- During the video, encourage students to record observations by sketching and describing experiments they see at the NSF Mag Lab.
- Afterward, engage in interactive STEM centers, allowing students to build magnet mazes, test electromagnetic properties, or create models demonstrating real-world applications of magnetism.
This strategy builds foundational science inquiry skills and aligns with early STEM learning standards.
Total Health: A Virtual Field Trip with NBA and WNBA
Students in grades 3-8 benefit from integrated learning experiences that connect physical wellness with broader academic content.
Implementation
- Start by exploring the science of movement with lessons on heart rate, nutrition, and the impact of exercise.
- During the video, students can track key takeaways using a graphic organizer focused on nutrition, fitness, and mental health strategies.
- Post-video, incorporate an interdisciplinary project where students design their own health and wellness action plans based on insights from professional athletes.
This approach strengthens connections between science, physical education, and real-world decision-making.
With inquiry-based exploration, hands-on STEM activities, and interdisciplinary wellness strategies, educators can turn these virtual field trips into transformative learning experiences. Whether students are immersed in storytelling, experimenting with magnets, or developing healthier habits, each virtual field trip offers an opportunity for deep engagement and meaningful connections.
Which strategy are you most excited to implement? Let’s make these field trips unforgettable!
