This Winter, Jackson Elementary’s entire first grade class had an amazing hands-on experience at Los Angeles’s Natural History Museum. With buses funded by PEF’s field trip grant, students headed to the iconic museum to experience the sciences and social studies outside of the classroom.
At the Natural History Museum, students were sent on a scavenger hunt throughout the many exhibits. As they explored, the scavenger hunt directed them to visit exhibits that strengthened their understanding of both traditional sciences and social studies topics such as adaptations, habitats, and change over time.
Exhibit halls such as The Hall of Dinosaurs and The Hall of Mammals had students focus on the science standards of how animals use their characteristics and behaviors to help them survive in their habitats, such as their body parts, body coverings, and behaviors.
“Students inquired about what happened to dinosaurs over time and how they became extinct. They were fascinated and saddened to see the many animals that were close to extinction and highly endangered due to the effects of human activities in their habitats.”
– Julie Silk, Jackson Elementary 1st grade teacher
Students also visited the temporary Becoming LA exhibit. Much like the animals of the previous halls, students watched as Los Angeles evolved and grew into the city it is today. Through black and white photos that slowly morphed into color, the Jackson 1st graders saw a slice of LA’s long winding history. With the various photos and artifacts throughout the exhibit, students also saw how different social communities changed along with the city itself.
The 1st graders collaborated together to finish this museum wide scavenger hunt, building their critical -thinking and observation skills. Students explored together and it ensured that all students had access to an enriching educational experience outside the classroom, making the trip both memorable and meaningful. Jackson’s first grade team was delighted by the amazing time the students had and are eagerly looking to repeat field trips like this in the future.
