A Review of Research on School Field Trips and Their Value in Education

The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of science field trips as
educational tools to connect students to classroom concepts. Experiential learning at
formal and informal field trip venues increases student interest, knowledge, and
motivation. The teacher's role in preplanning, implementation, and reflection often
dictates the impact that the field trip will have on students. Science teacher education
programs do not traditionally instruct preservice teachers how to plan or coordinate a
field trip. Once teachers are empowered and learn how to develop and orchestrate a
successful field trip, they will enable students to develop interest in science, which may
lead to improved learning or improved science literacy. Because some school systems
are limiting science field trips, this paper concludes by examining inexpensive or costfree
field trip ideas.