At Edison Intermediate School (EIS), field trips are an exciting, rare part of the school experience that many students and teachers alike look forward to. But what if it wasn’t such an uncommon occurrence? What if there were more opportunities to experience new things? Many worry that field trips would take away from education, but research proves that they would only add on!
For instance, a recent study by Emilyn Ruble Whitesell at NYU Steinhardt shows how carefully planned field trips contribute to academic success. There was a direct correlation between students who visited an immersive science initiative called Urban Advantage and the top scorers on the state science test (NYU Steinhardt). The interrelationship shows that a well-planned educational field trip can have real impacts on students’ success. Additionally, students can learn more from a field trip than from what one can learn in a classroom. Seventh and eighth grade French teacher Ms.Brittany Sapichino explained what her students would gain from a field trip relating to her class: “They would gain outside, real-world experiences that they couldn’t learn back at EIS.”
Furthermore, field trips can do more than deepen a student’s understanding of a subject. They can also help students improve real-world skills. A study done by the University of Arkansas said, “We see the effects in significantly higher historical empathy and tolerance measures among students randomly assigned to a school tour of Crystal Bridges” (Greene et al). This proves that going on more field trips will result in students with more empathy and tolerance. One could assume that if everyone in society became more empathetic and more accepting, we would benefit as a whole. All in all, field trips help to build real-world skills.
Additionally, field trips are very entertaining. For instance, sixth grader Henry Materouski said, “The stuff you do and the people you meet on field trips are always enjoyable.”
Likewise, eighth grader Mia Brodo said, “When you are with a bunch of your friends and spending time with them, making memories is fun because you can look back and reflect on the great time you had on the field trip.”
Overall, field trips would bring joy and happiness to EIS. However, despite all these advantages, EIS students and staff rarely take trips during school time. Seventh grade science teacher Mr. David Parke said, “We used to go on a field trip every grade, every year. That needs to come back.”
Additionally, EIS students and staff think field trips could help them bond with one another. Seventh grade student Hudson Sluberski said, “Maybe I would gain more friends on field trips.”
Similarly, Special Education teacher Ms. Stephanie Grajales said, “I could create more rapport with my students in a non classroom setting.”
In conclusion, field trips at Edison Intermediate School (EIS) need to be more frequent. Field trips not only educate everyone, but they educate themselves socially, like making new friends and memories. Students and staff may learn more on a day of a field trip than a day at school. In the end, it is good for them to go out of the school grounds for a day with their friends, while still getting educational benefits.
