field trips Archives - Pea of Sweetness

4 Ways to Study Space in Northwest Ohio

July 2, 2016 by Emilee Evans

Our kids have been interested in learning more about space, particularly constellations. Our oldest son has even been learning Astronomy with Memoria Press. Since he started this curriculum he has been asking more about the stars and looking for and pointing out constellations. All of our children are very hands-on learners, so in order to foster this interest I knew we needed to do some hands-on activities.

4 Ways to Study Space in Northwest Ohio

*Armstrong Air and Space Museum

The Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta is owned by the state of Ohio and is part of the Ohio History Connection’s statewide system of historic sites and museums. With access right off of I-75 it’s easy to get to as well! We connected with a local homeschool group and visited the Armstrong Air and Space Museum. It has a lot more to it than just studying space, though!
We got to start off our visit with the perfect hands-on activity – making our own constellations. All three of our kids participated in the activity, and it was so much fun! We used black tissue paper over a toilet roll and punched holes of our favorite constellations. When you shine a light through it in the dark you can see the constellation. As an added bonus, we got to learn a little more about the constellations as well.

The tour is educational, and there is so much to see and learn. In addition to astronauts and space we also learned more about aviation and general. I learned quite a few things myself! What really left a big impression for us was all the interactive activities! The kids got to experience Zero Gravity, use a Lunar Landing Simulator, and even pretend they’re at the controls of a spaceship.
Learn more and plan your trip with their Hours and Admission.

*Millstream Astronomy Club

The Millstream Astronomy Club offers public events on Saturdays at Riverbend Park in Findlay at Shelter #5. Times vary due to the phases of the moon. They offer public viewings as well as education. We, personally, haven’t attended one yet, but I’m keeping their schedule on hand.

*Newhard Planetarium

Photo Credit: University of Findlay
This little gem is found at the University of Findlay. I live just a few blocks away and had no idea there was a planetarium so close! We visited the Newhard Planetarium with our 4-H group. We got to learn more about the stars and constellations. We watched a great video outlying the sheer vastness of space. What we really appreciated is it was presented from a Biblical perspective.
We got to chart the stars and were challenged with questions regarding what we were learning. It looks fairly small on the outside, but it really is bigger than it seems. It easily fit our whole group with seats to spare! It has 65 seats total. The Newhard Planetarium is part of the Brewer Science Hall at the University of Findlay.

*BGSU Planetarium

If you drive North a little, you can also check out the Planetarium at Bowling Green State University. We, personally, haven’t visited yet, but it’s something we’re making plans for! It’s a little bigger than Newhard Planetarium with 118 seats, so it could definitely host a larger group.
The BGSU Planetarium offers Public Planetarium Programs that are open to all and are given from September to May each year. These programs feature a star talk showing the current evening sky followed by a multimedia planetarium show. They also offer weekend programs which are followed by stargazing at the Observatory on the roof if the weather permits.

Study Space in Northwest Ohio

When it comes to studying space in Northwest Ohio I love that there are multiple resources available! It’s a great way to get kids more interested and involved in the study of space. It has really enhanced what we’ve been learning about Astronomy in a hands-on way. Plus, they accommodate a variety of ages, which is always an advantage!
How do you study space in Northwest Ohio?

Apologia Exploring Creation Field Trip Journal Review

June 10, 2015 by Emilee Evans

Field trips! Field trips are something we often do on a whim. Although I don’t think there is anything wrong with taking field trips on a whim, I really want to try harder to be more intentional with our field trips – not only in planning the field trips themselves but what we learn on field trips as well. I was excited to review the Exploring Creation Field Trip Journal from Apologia Educational Ministries.

As you may guess from my comment about taking field trips on a whim, we don’t take big, group field trips. Although we have found some in our area, it often doesn’t work out either because it’s in the morning (we’re not morning people – AT ALL) or something was limiting us that day – either our health conditions or the kids’ special needs. What I appreciate about this Field Trip Journal, though, is it’s not limiting, and it acknowledges even little field trips are important.
The Exploring Creation Field Trip Journal is a spiral bound book with just over 60 pages. It includes resources for having a successful field trip such as preparing for a field trip. The preparation information is so detailed from things to do the week before, the night before, on the way, and even at the “field.” This is the piece we’ve really been missing to make our field trips more intentional. I love that it not only includes preparation tips, but field trip ideas as well! They even include a special link with password for more great resources!

The journal is divided up into sections:

Places I’ve Explored – Here you can make notes of all field trips taken and location.
Field Trip Pages – Here you can share details of a specific field trip.
My Special Spot – Here you can share details of your special spot in wildlife with details.
As I See it – Here you can share special thoughts and drawings. Some pages contain prompts while others are blank to allow for imagination!

We have been using the Exploring Creation Field Trip Journal as a family. Because all of our children are beginning writers, (in addition to planning field trips) I’ve been having the kids dictate to me what they would like me to write down about our trip. I allow a small section in the journal for both kids, but soon found out our preschooler wanted to share his thoughts as well! Luckily, there was plenty of room as each child only shared a tidbit.
For older children who are writing, I would definitely recommend having one journal per child so they can each share their full shots, favorite pictures, etc. In the Specific Trip pages there is an area for both a map as well as a picture. They have the option to draw a picture, and although our daughter loves to draw, we decided as a family to print out pictures to add. I just need to print the pictures!

One of the trips on which we used the journal was Cedar Point. I asked the kids to specifically focus on the Town Hall Museum because although there is definitely a learning experience in an amusement park by itself, I wanted to dig into some history! So we used the journal to plan our trip and took it with us, of course!
Although the kids wanted to include their trip to the park itself (which I made note of in the “Something I never want to forget” I challenged them to think of the Museum itself, and they shared what they enjoyed most. Open-ended questions (even asking what they enjoy) can be challenging for them, so I like that this got them to think and talk about things they learned even if it was basic.

I like that the journal recommends asking open ended question at the “field” as well – not just for the journal area. This is something I don’t often do, and I did find it really helped to open up the kids’ thoughts and understanding on what we were actually seeing.
We haven’t yet used the My Special Spot area because we’re still newer to our area, and we’re still finding that “special spot.” The As I See It has been a little challenging for our kids to understand what exactly they are to be doing. I explained they can draw pictures or dictate something to me to write, but I think the best way for us to use this is going to be at a specific location so they can do the drawing or dictating while we are there, which I didn’t think about until after the fact!
Overall, I am so thrilled we had the chance to review the Exploring Creation Field Trip Journal. We have documented two field trips (the other was a local park), and it has helped me plan more! It has definitely helped me become more intentional with our field trips, and I think even if we take one on the whim, I will still have the guidance it offers at the “field” as well as preparing on the way there!
For more, be sure to connect with Apologia on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+.
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8 Field Trips that Offer a Great Learning Experience

March 7, 2015 by Emilee Evans

The following post is a guest post by Adriana Zoder of Homeschool Ways. Much like Adriana, I wasn’t always thrilled with the idea of taking homeschool field trips (I thought I was the only one!) but have found much value in them! She has shared some great experiences!

8 Homeschool Field Trips that Offer a Great Learning Experience

You may have thought from the beginning of your homeschool career that field trips rock. I did not. Then, one day, I took a field trip with my small children (because other homeschoolers did) and realized how much children learned about their world by being exposed to 3D experiences. I came to understand for myself that field trips truly are like Velcro for the mind: hooks upon which to hang theoretical concepts found in books.
Here are 8 field trips we have taken and learned from more than we ever could if we just read about the subject matter from books:

1. Zoo and/or Petting Zoo

– Children love animals. You will have no problem getting them into the car for this one. While there, they will see, hear, smell (oh-uh!) and even touch these animals, as allowed. No matter how many YouTube videos you watch, you will never understand how big an elephant is until you see one five yards away from you. Zoos also have indoor activity areas with books and toys which encourage exploration. My children love to play dress up at our local zoo. They become scientists by wearing white lab coats and plastic glasses or camouflage vests.

Boy and girl studying insects at the Zoo — My children at the Zoo indoor play area.

2. Aquarium

– We happen to have an aquarium in our small town. As such, my children have practically grown there. With our annual membership, we go there whenever we want to. I have seen them interact with the exhibits differently over the years. As babies, they just stared at the fish. As toddlers, they pronounced the names of different species in a cute way. As preschoolers, they started making connections and remembering different facts about certain fish. Now in pre-K and first grade, my children take science classes there. The annual membership helps save us money on those classes and any merchandise we might want from the Gift Shop.

3. Science Museum

– Many cities in the United States have a science museum for children. Some call it The Muse or Discovery Place. Look to see if you have one nearby in your town on the list of the Association of Science Technology Centers. Membership in one such center will enable you to visit all others for free or for the cost of a parking ticket. Children explore scientific concept in hands-on experiments and exhibits in such centers. Many also offer IMAX Theaters or Planetariums.

4. History Museum/History Fair

– We took our children to our local history fair and they took everything in like sponges. The costumes from different eras startled them, especially when they saw soldiers marching. My daughter loves princess-type dresses and when she met face to face with a Southern Belle, she got very, very quiet and observed every detail. You can almost see their wheels turning.

Boy and girl in front of a Rosetta Stone replica — My children in front of the Rosetta Stone replica at a museum

5. Literary Festivals

– Once a year, the city of Sevierville (30 minutes from our house) organizes a literary festival with a Kids’ Corner, where children’s authors read to and engages with little ones. One hour away from our house, in Knoxville, they have a Children’s Festival of Literature in the summer. There, children learn from story tellers, craftsmen, musicians, and book enthusiasts.

6. Symphony concerts

– Music transcends culture, reading levels, and emotional boundaries. Many symphonies dedicate at least one concert per year to children audiences. Nothing beats live music from a full orchestra. Your budding musician needs to be exposed to a concert hall on a regular basis.

7. Art Museum

– The museum staff thanks me for bringing my children to the Art Museum just because. Why wouldn’t I bring them? It’s free, they have wonderful exhibits, and a Creative Corner for kids. All sorts of craft materials and art books for children await exploration. And I can see how my children calm down after being in the presence of art. The gift shop contains a treasure trove of art books and sets for children.

8. Factory Tours

– We visited the Bush Beans Visitor Center last year. I thought I would never get my children out of there. They loved the interactive exhibit and the short documentary about the plant. They asked me to go back there several times and we will definitely go back there in the summer.
As you can see, lots of learning happens during a field trip. When you need a break from your daily book routine, get in your car and hit one of these destinations. Document it and it’s a school day.

Adriana Zoder is a polyglot, a newspaper columnist, an author, a homeschooling mom of two, and a book lover. She blogs at www.HomeschoolWays.com, where you can get her FREE ebook, 21 Days to Jumpstart Your Homeschool. Her other books are available through Amazon in Kindle and paperback form.

What are your favorite homeschool field trips?