No one could have seen COVID 19 coming when we were planning our trips for 2020. There is a lot of chaos and uncertainty in the world right now, it is important that we help our children understand and cope with current events. We used information from the World Health Organization to compile this infographic to help.
How important is educational travel? Education plays a very important role in shaping one’s life. Education doesn’t just provide a person with knowledge on how to read and write but it teaches a person to find out the reasons behind anything. To be more effective, education must not be limited to classroom activities. Students must be given a chance to experience “hands-on” what they learn in a classroom. A way of providing the students to bridge the gap between classroom education and hands-on experience is through educational travel.
Educational Travel Immerses Students to History
History is primarily learned from books and elaborated in the classroom. However, learning is enhanced even more if students get the experience to feel and see what it is exactly like during a particular historical event. An educational trip to Washington DC could bring students to an adventure they will never forget. The rich history of Washington DC will provide students a more personal experience of the Vietnam War. The Lincoln Memorial will bring personal experience to students on how President Lincoln and Martin Luther King led movements to end slavery in the Southern states. An educational tour in Washington DC can bring alive a bunch of US history to the students.
Educational Travel Immerses Students to Nature
Science lessons about nature and wildlife will be more fun and interesting if students learn them outside of the classroom. The National Geographic Museum in Times Square, New York will immerse students into the wildlife of the Pacific Ocean. Have the students encounter underwater creatures like dolphins, whales, sharks, etc. The National Geographic Museum will bring the students the feeling of a real-life encounter with the beauty of the ocean.
An educational trip to Atlanta will also bring exciting nature experiences to students. The Georgia Aquarium will take the students to a close encounter with the creatures from the sea. River Scout enhances students’ understanding of other animals that inhabit the rivers of Georgia, South America, Africa, and Asia.
Zoo Atlanta is known for the giant pandas from China named Yang Yang and Lun Lun. The zoo also houses various mammals and over 50 species of birds. Students can also experience the world of botany through Zoo Atlanta’s tropical garden.
A few hours of travel from Atlanta to Chattanooga exposes the students to its rich history and exceptional geologic formations. From Rock City, students will witness the breathtaking views of Chattanooga. The Ruby Falls exhibits the amazing cave system beneath the Lookout Mountain.
Educational Travel Eases Away Classroom Boredom
Boredom is a result of monotonous activity in classroom learning which can hinder the learning eagerness of students and may result in lower grades. From time to time, students need a breather – outside the classroom and being in a new environment that encourages new ways of learning. Studies prove that out-of-classroom learning activities increase the students’ grade levels to more than 60%.
Educational Travel Encourages Social Growth
Educational travel creates interactions among students. Students are also exposed to interacting with strangers and tour guides. These interactions help students learn more by exchanging views and experiences with each other. Asking questions from tour guides can also help develop an inquisitive mind among students as well as expose them to a better understanding of life. Additionally, students get to bond with their classmates in a new environment and gives them an opportunity to learn more about each other as well.
Conclusion
Educational travel is a very important part of learning that every educational institution must include in its curriculum. It is a fun way of educating students not only through academics but also a way to expose them to a wide range of skills in life. Educational travel allows students to understand various cultural differences, which could be of good use to them when they get to meet people from different cultures. For the reason that educational travel allows the students to be immersed in fresh experiences, it helps students to plan on what career path to take. Lastly, educational travel helps students make lifetime memories that they can share with classmates, friends, and family.
Educational Travel Tips Worth Considering
Education travel is one good way of enhancing the learning experience of students. There is this old saying that “experience is the best teacher”, and this has already been proven by many in various circumstances. Students indeed learn from the classroom setting, in fact, it is in the classroom where learning takes place most of the time. However, educational travel provides more enhancements to classroom learning by immersing students into real-life experiences. Educational travel, to be more effective must be well-planned and organized. Here are some educational travel tips worth considering.
Tell Students What to Expect
Schools need to manage the expectations of students. Let students learn more about what to expect in educational travel. Brief students on the procedures and how to prepare and behave themselves during the trip. Plan well and prepare a good itinerary. Allow a draft of a contingency plan in case unexpected circumstances happen.
Involve Students in Planning
By allowing students to participate in the planning of the trip, the school is providing them indirect leadership training. Moreover, learning what the students think about the trip will help organizers to come up with activities that would be more of the interest of the pupils.
Involve the Parents Too
Educational travel needs to gain support from parents. Involving parents will help a direct question-and-answer exchange between organizers and the parents. Issues will be resolved first hand. Moreover, it helps to reassure parents that educational travel is well planned and that their children are secured during the whole trip. It also helps by giving the parents an idea of how the trip is going to directly benefit their children.
Provide Background about the Educational Travel
Organizers need to set objectives so that students will learn what they will be aiming to achieve on the trip. If the trip is about enhancing the learning experience of students in history, then they shall be briefed about the educational travel in a historical site. Give background to students on how they will benefit from the trip.
For example, a trip to Washington DC will immerse the students in the rich history of how slavery ended in the Southern states. A tour of the memorials and monuments can bring a deep feeling on how American soldiers bravely fought in the Vietnam War. The Women’s Memorial will teach the students the value of sacrificing for others and dedication to service.
Lincoln Memorial showcases the Korean War. From there, students will be immersed in the heroic act of the Americans by aiding the South Korean army against the invasion of North Korea. There are more attractions in Washington DC that can bring history alive, and surely experiencing an educational trip will open up the eyes of the students on the values associated with history. Washington DC has a lot more to offer when it comes to educational travel aiming students to broaden their historical knowledge. You can learn more about our Washington DC trips here.
If the aim of the educational tour is to immerse the students in living life with nature, then a science trip would be more beneficial. The National Geographic Museum in Times Square New York will immerse teachers and students in life in the wild. Learning about wildlife in the Pacific Ocean is showcased in the museum.
Atlanta Georgia also has a rich geological history to share with students through the Fernbank Museum. Students will be immersed in the prehistoric times as they will be brought in a close-up view of the dinosaurs. The Fernbank Museum is also known for the IMAX theater.
Discuss the Trip Back in the Classroom
Once the educational travel is over, students are equipped with fresh knowledge, stories to tell, and experiences to share. It helps them relive the experience by bringing back the trip to the classroom. Let discussions about the trip be encouraged. Have time to discuss what they learned about the trip and teachers may participate to share what they have learned as well.
Educational travel is a creative way of extending the learning process of students. The best way to have a successful and meaningful trip is through extensive, well-thought-out planning. Educational Travel Consultants will help you plan an exciting and memorable trip that students and teachers will remember for years to come!
Through the hustle and bustle of New York City is the heart of Times Square which offers a variety of souvenir shopping, Broadway shows, restaurants and live entertainment. The newest addition to Times Square is the National Geographic Museum. This educational staple immerses you and your students into the wild life. The National Geographic is notable for their variety of non-fictional articles and shows based on documentaries, entertainment, politics, nature and music.
The new museum is based on the wildlife throughout the Pacific Ocean. Your students will encounter whales, sharks, dolphins, and much more. The technology the National Geographic museum provides will make you feel like you are stepping into their notable magazine past the yellow outline and into the ocean. This is a New York City site that you won’t want to miss. Contact your ETC Tour Consultant for more information.
A trip with your students to the Washington DC area is an adventure they will never forget. The best part of our Washington DC tour is when the sun sets and the entire city is quiet. The illuminated tour of the memorials and monuments makes the rich history of Washington DC seem more personal. The tour starts with the tribute to the soldiers of the Vietnam War. The Memorial Wall is etched with 58,318 names. There are 1,200 names that are listed as missing (MIA) from the War never to be heard from again. Another dedication to the Vietnam memorial is the bronze statue of The Three Servicemen which depicts the three troops mourning the deaths of their fellow comrades. The third memorial to the Vietnam War is the Women’s Memorial which shows three nurses aiding a fellow solider and the dedication in their service.
Just past the Vietnam Memorial is the Lincoln Memorial which honors the 16th President of the United States. President Lincoln laid the foundation towards ending slavery in the Southern states plus restoring the economy and revamping our government. Walking up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, reminds you of the famous speech “I Have a Dream” given by the courageous and fearless leader of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. one hundred years later. Overlooking the Lincoln Memorial is the Reflecting Pool which has been filmed in several movies where you can relive the scene from the movie “Forest Gump” when Jenny runs in the reflecting pool towards Forest or from “Planet of the Apes” when Captain Leo lands his plane in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
From the Lincoln Memorial, you will then find yourself surrounded by the statues of troops from the Korean War depicting the war when North Korea invaded South Korea with the United States came to the aid of South Korea. Sounds eerily familiar to current events. Doesn’t it? The 19 stainless steel statues depict all the branches of the United States military forces which include the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. The mural wall adjacent to the statues, is made from granite and portrays the photographs that were captured during the Korean War.
The next stop on the tour is the memorial dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. who was the leader of the Civil Rights movement. He was the voice for the African American community which endured racial discrimination and segregation. Mr. King based his principles of non-violent resistance from Gandhi who was known for his idea of winning “hate with love”. Mr. King continued the work of equality which was started by Abraham Lincoln in giving his famous speech “I Have a Dream” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on October 16, 1963. The Stone of Hope at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial is a portrait of Mr. King carved into a granite statue. Surrounding his statue, is fourteen quotes from either King’s speeches, sermons or writings. Reading each quote displayed on the wall, you can feel the pain and hardship for equal rights during that time period which is still ongoing today.
After the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, you continue on to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial in honor of our 32nd President. Roosevelt was rated as one of the top US presidents of all time as he guided the government during the Great Depression. He also aided Britain and China against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, he then declared war on Japan and Nazi Germany. He united our country in this dark era. He spearheaded the Social Security Act which provided monetary security for the elderly still in existence today. The Roosevelt Memorial consists of a variety of sculptures to depict his life. There is a statue of Roosevelt along with his dog “Fala”, and another of the first lady Mrs. Roosevelt, honoring her dedication to the United Nations, and another statue of people standing in line for bread to portray the Great Depression. The designers of the Roosevelt Memorial made sure it was accessible to the disabled as President Roosevelt lost his legs due to polio during his childhood.
Then it’s a short drive to the next memorial which honors the fallen soldiers of World War II. The World War II Memorial is located between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. The Memorial is a tribute to the over 400,000 American soldiers who sacrificed their lives during this War. At the center of the memorial is an oval shaped fountain surrounded by 56 pillars representing, at that time, the nation’s 48 states, 7 federal territories and the District of Columbia. The northern entrance arch is engraved with “Atlantic” symbolizing the war against Nazi Germany while the southern entrance arch is engraves with “Pacific” symbolling the war against Japan. The Freedom Wall embellishes 4,048 gold stars, each representing 100 Americans who died in the war.
The tallest monument in the district is the Washington Monument which honors our 1st President of the United States, George Washington. Before becoming President, Washington’s leadership secured American independence during the Revolution against Great Britain. His great leadership skills is the reason why he was so popular and elected president. President Washington helped forge the foundation of our nation. He was actively involved with the setup of our federal government that is in use more than 230 years later. Things such as the cabinet system, the inaugural address, plus the term Mr. President. He was also the first to sign the Constitution in 1789. George Washington will always be known as the “father of our country” as he helped the pathway for our country to follow.
The illuminated tour will open up your students eyes and bring history alive to them!
The very first question that the amazing tour directors at Educational Travel Consultants are asked when they arrive in New York City is, why did New York City decide to name one of its major cities after the state? Well, our guides always have the answer. In 1664, New York was named by the British in honor if the Duke of York and Albany. He was the brother of the famous King Charles II. After New Amsterdam was taken away from the Dutch, New York City became the name of this major city. One of the most popular areas in New York City is Times Square. There is always time allotted for our groups to discover Times Square in all of Educational Travel Consultants itineraries, for groups that want it. With the flashy billboards and neon lights, there is no better place to be. Educational Travel Consultants also offers a guided tour of the city, and of course, a chance to experience Ellis Island and Liberty Island. Along with these amazing attractions, the group gets to experience a world renowned Broadway Musical! We are happy to customize a trip to your specific needs and wants. Educational Travel Consultants will provide your students an experience of a lifetime. We know that that a majority of your children will only experience this exciting adventure once in their lives! Educational Travel Consultants is here to make your trip plans reality.
The Presidential Inauguration is a ceremony that dates back to George Washington. Did you know that inauguration day wasn’t always on January 20th? It used to be held on March 4th. So, why the long wait? Well, back before all the technological wonders of today, it used to take a tremendous amount of time for the President Elect to get his administration together. Once it was discovered that it would no longer take as long, America decided on a new date, which is the one we use today. And, not all inaugurations since the change have actually been on January 20th. President Barack Obama was sworn in as our President on January 21st, 2013. This is because the 20th fell on a Sunday.
The inauguration procedure is based more on tradition than the constitution. The Constitution only states that the President must take the oath of office. The oath is the very first thing that happens on inauguration day. Though it is not the President’s. Before the President Elect is sworn in the Vice President elect must be sworn in. Then, the President is sworn in. After all the oaths are taken, the new President will address the nation. As the former President exits the White House, the new President has an inaugural luncheon, followed by the famous Inaugural Parade. The very last thing that happens on the day of inauguration is the Inaugural ball.
This year, this historical day falls on a Friday. This is the day that we, as Americans, welcome Donald J. Trump as our 45th President. This will be a very educational day, which only comes once every four years. Here at Educational Travel Consultants, we have several groups attending the inauguration. We always get great feedback, the wonder in a child’s eye as they watch hope and dreams come true as the President is sworn in to do the most amazing job in the world is. Every Inauguration is different, but very important. For the schools that are attending the 2017 inauguration, seem to be excited and hopeful for their trip.
Happy Traveling!
ETC Team
Educational Travel Consultants
(P)828-693-0412
(F) 828-693-1591
(TF) 800-247-7969
www.educationaltravelconsultants.com
Traveling to New York City to see the magnificent street art is a great experience for students who enjoy art. Add to that, the city lights and diverse cultures, this is a trip to remember. New York City thrives on individuality and creativity. From the awe-inspiring Broadway shows to Central Park where artists are as common as blades of grass, New York City is the place to travel to for inspiration and stimulation. Whereas in other big cities graffiti is looked at in a negative light, NYC broadcasts the beautiful art as a part of their heritage and culture. Graffiti started as early as ancient Rome, but the Urban Graffiti style started in New York City in the late 1960s. Brooklyn Street Art Tours are the newest trend to get students out of the traditional art show setting and into the heart of the city to experience the culture of the people who dwell there.
The Brooklyn Street art tour that is offered by Educational Travel Consultants provides an inside look at the various graffiti art and artists. Students will take a walking tour through the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, including Bushwick and Williamsburg. What is great about this particular tour is that no two will be alike. With the ever-changing skyline of New York and the influx of graffiti artists to the area, new “canvases” are being unveiled daily. Your students will experience the dizzying collections of urban images that give testament to the vibrant culture that makes New York City a true melting pot of the world. Please contact one of our representatives or visit our website to book a Brooklyn Street Art tour with Education Travel Consultants.
by Howard Clemens
For student travel groups headed to Philadelphia, an historic tour is not complete without visiting the historic homes of famous American writers who lived there and penned their work there. A trip to a writer’s home provides a window into his domestic life, and the homes are well-preserved or restored. Teachers interested in creating a blended learning experience can have their students can read the works of these Celebrated authors as preparation for the trip.
Edgar Allen Poe, Ben Franklin and James Michener all lived in Philadelphia at some point in their writing careers. Poe was originally from Richmond, Virginia. He relocated his wife and mother to Philadelphia to assume editorial positions at literary magazines. Ben Franklin grew up in Boston. He took ship to Philadelphia to escape the tutelage of his father. Franklin would found his own printing press and purchase a newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette. He wrote many articles for this publication under various pseudonyms. He is well known for The Autobiography of Ben Franklin, which is his mythologized version of his trip to Philadelphia as a young man. Franklin is also known for Poor Richard’s Almanack, where his memorable phrases about life were recorded. James Michener is a celebrated American writer who penned non-fiction, historical novels about the U.S. He is best known for Centennial, Chesapeake and Alaska.
The Poe House, Philadelphia PA
Student tours of Philadelphia should include a look at the Poe House, at 7th and Spring Garden Streets. The only weekday this National Historic Site is open is Friday, so plan itineraries accordingly. Take advantage of a Ranger led tour of Poe’s home. Choose from “Poe’s Life, Literature and Legacy” or “Poe in Philadelphia.” The six years Poe spent living in Philadelphia were some of his most productive. He wrote the short story, “The Fall of the House of Usher” in Philadelphia and was employed as an editor and a critic. Poe’s influence reached European writers. His literary achievements include writing the first detective story and pioneering science fiction, by looking towards the future based on new technologies. Student trips can explore Poe’s reading room and the parlor, where his desk was located, as well as his bedroom and the basement. There is a replica of an air balloon students can launch – and more interactive exhibits.
Ben Franklin: The quintessential Philadelphian
Not only was Benjamin Franklin an inquisitive writer, a printer, a legislator and diplomat – but he was also a scientific genius. Franklin experimented with electricity and other new phenomenon that characterized the Early American era in which he lived. In high school history class, students are taught Ben Franklin was one of the founding signors of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Yet there is so much more beneath the surface of this fascinating figure. Franklin ran away from an overbearing father in Boston, and elevated himself to a prominent life in Philadelphia. He escalated his visibility using a printing press and a pen that rivals Mark Twain’s sarcasm. Franklin wrote under numerous pseudonyms in his day. The Benjamin Franklin Museum located in Franklin Court, with entrances on 3rd and 4th Street. A visit here is the best way a student travel group can become acquainted with his life and work as a statesman, printer and scientist. Though Franklin’s old residence is no longer standing, an outline of the old building remains. This is also known as the ‘ghost house’ in Franklin court.
James Michener: The Cultured Philadelphian
Born in New York City, Michener’s family moved to Doylestown, Pennsylvania when he was a child. He left at the age of 20 and hitchhiked cross country. Michener returned to study at Swarthmore College, where he graduated with highest honors. Michener is known for his historical fiction about the United States, tracing the land’s beginnings as far back as scientific evidence and the imagination can conceive. Some of his best known works include: Chesapeake, Alaska and Centennial. Michener’s writing career was etched in stone when he won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel, Tales of the South Pacific (1947). This was later turned into a wildly popular Broadway Musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein and abbreviated to South Pacific. Student tours will want to see the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Michener funded the museum for his beloved Doylestown, where he maintained a foothold and a residence.
Student trips to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania offer many opportunities for English, History and Social Studies students. Places such as the Edgar Allen Poe house (and basement), the ghost of Benjamin Franklin’s home (and Museum) and the James A. Michener Art Museum are only a sampling of many famous writers and thinkers who lived and worked in the Philadelphia area. Students may continue to engage in studies of these notable figures that changed the American Cultural landscape forever.
For more information on scheduling a student tour of Philadelphia that includes a visit to some or all of these sites, visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.
by Howard Clemens
A brand new Smithsonian Museum will be a desirable attraction for student travel groups. It is situated prominently on the Mall in Washington D.C. The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will open on September 24, 2016 to much fanfare, and includes a welcoming speech by President Barack Obama. An outdoor music festival will accompany the opening on September 23, 24 & 25. The new museum has a contemporary and memorable architecture, created by David Adjaye, an internationally known architect from Ghana, Africa.
Student travel companies will want to schedule student trips headed for Washington D.C. a timed group entry to the museum well ahead of time. After the official opening, it is sure to become a popular item on the itinerary for student group travel. The NMAAHC provides special tours and education programs for school groups of various ages.
There are plenty of reasons to add the National Museum of African American History and Culture to a student travel itinerary. First, the museum’s collection crosses curriculums, appealing to the art, history and social studies student. Second, the Museum draws an accurate picture of the long and tormented history of the African-American, highlighting the most famous figures. From enslavement to freedom to the civil rights movement and the reclamation movement, the unique challenges of the African-American are covered. Many famous leading African Americans are celebrated, giving students an opportunity to learn more about the specifics of the fight for freedom.
The architect, David Adjaye, conceived of the bronze webbed design. The outer form that he evokes is a common motif seen on top of ceremonial and sacred places in West and Central Africa. When light strikes the building, it filters through the webbed design to the interior spaces, giving the visitor a unique display. Adjaye made sure that the windows inside the Museum would offer a view of the major monuments on the Mall, including the Washington Monument.
While researching the history of the building, Adjaye found the very center of the NMAAHC gallery used to be a slave market. So he designed a large circular window overlooking the floor where slave owners viewed the men and women below. Several galleries are housed in the basement levels, giving student travelers a glimpse deep into African Americans beginnings – in a cryptic and darkened environment. As the student groups ascend to different floors, history marches onward to the present.
This Museum has been in the works since 2003. Lonnie G. Bunch, III was the original founding director. Bunch had amassed a significant collection of African-American artifacts and wanted a place to display them and educate Americans about a painful part of U.S. history. Some of his signature artifacts are photographed and available online. Teachers may want to introduce students to the NMAAHC by viewing some of these.
The galleries are separated according to themes and topics of interest to all Americans. A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond offers a window into the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Cultural Expressions, Musical Crossroads, Taking the Stage and Visual Arts and the American Experience highlight famous African American artists and performers and will be of interest to the art, music and theater arts student. Sports: Leveling the Playing Field showcases the best African-American athletes and the history of a long struggle to compete with white Americans. Slavery and Freedom, Power of Place and Making a Way Out of No Way are collections that speak to the struggle to unite African heritage and American identity while experiencing the harshness of survival.
For many student travelers an actual visit to the NMAAHC will be an eye opening experience that offers the African-American perspective on many important topics. Clearly a great deal of intelligence, thoughtfulness and expert planning went into the execution of the newest, and 19th of the Smithsonian Museums. Trip leaders and teachers interested in taking a class trip to Washington D.C. and want to include a timed entry pass for their group may contact info@educationaltravelconsultants.com or Request a Quote.
