Field Trip Programs by Subject 2012-2013

All programs are aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning, Houghton Mifflen and Foundation Blocks for Early Learning. All field trip programs include an educational program plus unlimited time to explore in the museum.

Science

Adapt in the Habitat
Recommended for grades 1 - 3
Students will examine different habitats and learn how adaptation helps animals survive. They will also explore food chains and how animal adaptations help them to survive. Students will then create camouflage-inspired art.

Blooming Butterflies
Recommended for grades Pre-K - 2
Students will learn about the life cycle and parts of a butterfly body through literature, song and art. Program will also include the life cycle of a frog, if developmentally appropriate.

Dinosaur Discovery
Recommended for grades Pre-K - Kindergarten
Students will examine artifacts to learn how dinosaurs lived and what they looked like. Through literature and hands on activities students will explore opposites, sorting, and matching.

Magnificent Magnets
Recommended for grades Kindergarten - 3
Students will investigate what makes magnets repel and attract, then will work through an array of hands-on magnet experiments and activities to gain further understanding.

Nutrition
Recommended for grades Pre-K
Students will learn about making healthy choices by participating in food group activities and learning about exercise and movement.

Ready, Set...Grow!
Recommended for grades Prek - 3
Students will examine the parts and needs of a plant and how seasons affect plants. Students will gain greater understanding of how plants grow through literature and hands-on activities, and will go home with a garden starter kit.

Scientific Investigation
Recommended for grades 2 - 3
Students will learn about and practice scientific investigation principles. They will work collaboratively to test their hypothesis by conducting an experiment.

Simple Machines
Recommended for grades 2 - 3
Students will review the different types of simple machines and examine how simple machines help make work easier through literature and hands-on examples. They will work together to build a simple machine.

Weather Explorers
Recommended for grades 2-3
Students will learn about the water cycle, tools meteorologists use and types of clouds. In addition, they will gain greater understanding of how different types of clouds create different types of precipitation through hands-on demonstrations and an art activity.

Wonderful Water Cycle
Recommended for grades Pre-k - 3
Students will investigate underwater habitats and how the water cycle works through songs and hands-on activities. Students will even create a water-inspired work of art to take home.

What Senses I Have
Recommended for grades Pre-K
Students learn about five senses and which body parts are used for each sense. Students will explore their senses through literature and hands-on activities, and will also create a textured picture frame.

Math

Drumsticks
Recommended for grades Pre-K - 1
Students will explore both visual and auditory patterns through literature and music, then will create a mask using patterns.

Math and Art
Recommended for grades Kindergarten - 2
Students will apply mathematical thinking to create works of art. Students will use critical thinking to determine different types of patterns and predict what will come next. Students will look at patterns and symmetry in art, nature and clothing. Then they will create an art project using patterns and symmetry.

Reading

Puppet Palooza
Recommended for Pre-K - Kindergarten
Creativity and learning come alive! Children will participate in a story through dramatic play with puppets and props. Various types of puppets will be introduced. Children will create their very own puppets to take home.

Read-Create-Move
Recommended for grades Pre-K
This program is inspired from the book How the Snake Got His Hiss by Mercedes McDonald. This picture book tells the story of a snake that went from hopping to hissing and explores patterns, rhythms and number sense. Students will learn about patterns in nature, create simple rhythms and practice counting using drums, visuals and pattern blocks. At the end of the program, students will create a fun craft to take home!

Art and Storytime
Recommended for grades Pre-K
Students will listen to and discuss the book The Magic Hat by Mem Fox. Students will identify new vocabulary and make predictions about the story. The story visuals help students form words using letters. Afterwards, students will design and create their own magic hat using stamps, fabrics and stickers!

Social Studies

Adventures in Early China
Recommended for grades 2 - 3
Prepare for a journey to the far east! Discover a culture halfway around the world by exploring the contributions of the Ancient Chinese people - from clothing to architecture and food to inventions. Students will practice geography skills by identifying places on a map and will participate in hands-on activities to further their knowledge of Ancient China.

American Indian Journey
Recommended for grades 2 - 3
Explore how American Indian Tribes (Powhatan, Pueblo and Lakota) adapted to different environments and made use of natural resources. Students will gain a greater understanding of American Indian culture through hands-on activities.

Celebrations Around the World
Recommended for grades Pre-K - 1
Students will discover the rich, diverse celebrations of Richmond neighbors through literature. Through hands-on activities, students will develop insight into different cultures by comparing their celebrations.

Economics Express
Recommended for grades Kindergarten - 3
Students will explore economic concepts by participating in role play. Students will produce goods to be sold and then buy goods as consumers. Key economics concepts covered include: needs and wants, goods and services, producers and consumers.

Geography
Recommended for grades 2 - 3
Students will explore grade specific geography concepts through literature and hands-on activities. Key geography concepts covered include: types of communities, vocabulary related to maps and basic US geography. Students will use a key to create a topographical map.

Mapping Ancient Egypt
Recommended for grades 2 - 3
Explore the contributions of the Ancient Egyptian people - from clothing to architecture and food to inventions. Hands-on activities will give students the experience to gain a greater understanding of Ancient Egyptian culture.