Do your homework first. Does that sound like something you might say? To organize high school field trips that are successful you’ll need to do some thorough research ahead of time.

School trips need to be informative but that’s not all. They’re great ways for students to see in more general terms how the big wide world works, and consider how they might fit into it.

Stuck for inspiration? Here are the field trips ideas you need to know about. 

1. A Visit to a Restaurant

Some of the biggest restaurant chains encourage field trip visits. It’s well worth contacting them to find out what might be available in your area. 

There will be an opportunity to visit the kitchen, explore issues around food hygiene, and learn about fresh ingredients.

One well-known pizza group will allow students to knead their own dough and make their own individual pizzas. These are then cooked and can be taken back to school. Who claimed there was no such thing as a free lunch?  

Learning How the Service Industry Works

It takes a lot of people and a lot of work to get a plate of food to a table. A visit that looks at the processes involved from purchasing food to cooking and serving is extremely valuable. 

A career in the restaurant industry isn’t going to appeal to all students. However, it can still be a way to show them how the service industry works and inspire them to think of other businesses they may want to work in. 

2. Media Tours

There are likely to be many students who are considering a career in journalism.  TV or Radio stations are the right environment to learn more about what kind of jobs in that industry they might like.

Many stations offer internships for high school students. Organizing a trip is already going to get the students further to the front of the line of potential applicants.

Tying in a question and answer session with part of the on-air talent team is a bonus. It doesn’t need to be the biggest name. A meteorologist, for example, can add an extra dimension with an insight into how weather forecasts are made. 

You might consider a visit to a newspaper. It can give useful information into how news is gathered and the importance of meeting deadlines. Ditching the textbook and spending some time in a real work environment can be incredibly valuable. 

3. Amusement Parks and Plays

Parks can be great places for students to let off steam, have fun and bond with each other in a different environment. There’s an educational side here too. Many parks are also prepared to offer students a look behind the scenes.

A visit to the theatre offers similar benefits if you can combine it with a backstage tour. 

4. Visiting a Water Treatment Plant

Where the water we drink comes from is something many students will take for granted. A tour of a water treatment center is a great way to provide some enlightenment. 

You should plan this carefully and find out if it’s possible to set up a question and answer session with a city engineer. It’s also an opportunity to broaden the issues of water production out.

Learning about the Environment

Discussions could include exploring areas of the world where fresh drinking water isn’t available. You may also be able to talk about the dangers of plastic bottles to the environment. 

A visit to a recycling point where garbage is disposed of is another great opportunity. It helps create awareness of the impact that the trash we throw away has on the environment.

Many offer visits with extra benefits like tour guide systems provided through headset equipment. Find out more by visiting https://www.plant-tours.com/.

It’s always wise to set up a visit with a specialist who can take questions from the students. This just makes the learning process seem less like a lecture from you and more like an interview with someone who’s a real-life expert on the subject.

5. A Visit to a Museum

Many cities have several types of museums other than those specializing in science or fine arts. Some can be great opportunities for students to learn about topics they’ve touched on in class. 

For those studying world history, a trip to a military museum or Holocaust Center can provide valuable insights. It can bring topics learned in school to life. 

If you have to travel far to get to a museum then you could try and combine the trip with a World Affairs Council event. These groups have well-known speakers who are willing to talk to students about current affairs and global issues. 

Just listening to a speaker can offer inspiration and give valuable tips to students about what makes an engaging speech. 

6. Understanding How Government Works

A trip to look around government buildings may sound a little dry but it can be fun if you plan it carefully. You could try incorporating a visit to a courthouse for those interested in studying law.

These trips help students to understand how governments make decisions. There will be students who may want to further their political studies. Do plenty of research and find an interesting guest for your students to meet and challenge. 

It may also be possible for the visit to coincide with sitting in on a legislative session. You can combine these trips with a picnic in the park so that the whole day isn’t spent indoors.

7. Visiting a Local Port

If there is a port closeby there can be great opportunities for students to see how it impacts on the local economy. It may be possible to take a tour of a ship or visit the dockside to see how cargo is off-loaded. 

You could even combine a trip to a local restaurant which sources some of its ingredients from shipments that arrive at the port. 

The Best High School Field Trips

Interesting school trips can add an extra dimension to subjects that are already taught in class. The secret of great high school field trips is to prepare in advance.

Learn some top tips here for planning a prom so that you can add another successful experience to the list that isn’t in the classroom.