Well, luckily America is a place that is teeming with scientific centers of exploration, focusing on chemistry, biology and physics in equal measure.
The USA has some great locations, such as the Kennedy Space Center, the Connecticut Science Center, the Bradbury Science museum, the Arizona Science Center and a long list of other venues across the country that specialize in looking at everything from astronomy to physics.
So where can you find some great physics field trips for your class? What attractions do they have on offer? How much are they to visit?
Well, we have a list of some of the best physics field trips available in the USA today. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in!
This was initially established during the middle of the 20th century as a museum that was dedicated solely to atomic energy.
There are plenty of exhibits for your class to enjoy, whether it is the robotic exhibition or the history of atomic energy, there is plenty to learn about physics here.
This also has a large Van De Graaff generator and lots of science puzzles that can get your student’s gray matter really working overtime.
This museum is open 7 days out the week, but you will have to pay for admission.
This center is dedicated to promoting science and all scientific endeavors.
The center features a Kinetic Zone that will allow you to play with electricity in a safe environment as well as experiment with gravity using a pulley system to lift yourself off the ground.
This comes with specially curated field trips that include Adventures in Engineering, which really delves into how physics works.
These field trips include one free adult for 10 children or teenagers that are admitted.
This is a science center whose mission is to inspire scientific learning in young people.
For young people who want to learn about physics, they have a Centennial Lab that explores some of the basics of nanotechnology to get children started on their journey of learning.
They have plenty of events that motion, health and math, along with the physics of weather in an exhibition that they call earth, wind, weather.
They also have an IMAX cinema and a dome planetarium where you can view the wonders of the universe with characters from Sesame street.
This science center comes with plenty of great attractions including a science park and a multimedia center.
Some of the events that they run include earthquakes and how they develop along with public events such as Rocketfest, which allows participants to build their own mini rockets to better understand the intricate nature of space flight.
This observatory has daily tours and is very reasonably priced, with discounts for larger classrooms.
They also have an astronomical society, so if your students go away with a thirst for more space knowledge they can sign up and get involved with star-watching carpools and Astrofest, which is an annual celebration of space.
This next center is perfect for taking younger children to explore the wonders of physics.
It includes an energy quest activity center where you can learn about the power of waves, how nuclear energy works, and build a replica of a hydrocarbon molecule.
Liberty Science Center also has a million-volt lightning machine donated by the magician David Blaine, a demonstration of controlled explosions and a cosmic portal that emulates what it is like to travel through a wormhole in space.
This has plenty to keep students entertained and educated.
This next science center might be a little light on the attractions, but it is very affordable, which is great if you have a large classroom and a tight budget.
They also host a Thunderblast event, which is where adults and children can sit back and enjoy fireworks and an air show.
You can become a member of the Kentucky Science Center, which will give you some discounts. They also have spaces that you can rent for birthday parties.
This is a great place to take your students, as they have a lab for experiments that will teach you the basics of physics as well as chemistry and biology.
They also have a science theatre where you can learn about combustion and the science of lightning strikes.
They also have a demonstration station where you can test molecules in motion and discuss the science of magic (it must be seen to be believed).
They also have an IMAX dome where you can see plenty of amazing films about physics and outer space.
This science center comes with an impressive planetarium that you can be sure will give you an expansive view of the night sky.
This is powered by a projector that will ensure that you can see the stars and planets as if they were right up close to you.
This has a discovery room where students and young children can get a hands-on experience with science.
It also has a preschool science class that will teach the fundamentals to very young children. This is a great place to bring children of any age.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Bring On A Field Trip?
You should try and bring something to entertain the kids on the journey there and back. A phone and speakers will come in handy to play music if you are facing a long bus ride. You can also bring games that the children can play as you travel.
What Are The Stages Of A Field Trip?
There are 3 stages of a field trip: 1. The Pre-Trip – the planning and admin involved. 2. The Trip – This is the trip itself. 3. The Post-trip – Debriefing of the trip and further activities.
Conclusion
We hope that our guide to physics field trips has helped you to decide which ones take your fancy.
Remember that there are hundreds of centers up and down the country, so you’ll easily find something to suit your age-group and ability.
Hi, my name is Helena Waters and I was a teacher for 40 years before retiring last year.
During my time as a teacher I dedicated the majority of it to making classrooms as fun as possible, with educational parties, fun activities, and low cost entertainment that made the children excited about learning.
I taught children of all ages, from preschoolers to high school students. Now, with the pandemic having uprooted everything that children once knew about school and learning, I think that the need for my ideas is bigger than ever.
That is why I created School Sparks, a place in which I can write down and share all of my ideas on how to get students excited about going to school again. I hope that you’ll find some useful within a school setting, even at home too!
