planning a trip school project

The Inspired Teaching Approach

Plan a trip .

The following activity is part of a series we’re creating to support students, teachers, and caregivers, during this unprecedented time. Read more about the project here . If you try this activity with your student(s), we’d love to see what you do. Share your journey via the #Inspired2Learn hashtag on your preferred social platform. 

Created by: Pax Linson and Jenna Fournel Discipline: Language Arts, Social Studies, Math Age level: Upper Elementary – Middle Time: This project can take a few days or a few weeks to complete depending on how detailed you want it to be. Materials: A computer and internet connection. 

Our ability to explore the world beyond our neighborhood may be hampered at the present time but that doesn’t mean our imaginations have to stay put. This activity was inspired by two friends who live in separate buildings with facing windows. Once a week they get on the phone and sit where they can see each other through the windows and as they talk they plan a fantastic trip to a faraway land. It doesn’t quite compare to actually going on the trip, but the escapism helps. 

In the following activity we take this idea into an academic realm because planning an actual trip requires many of the skills we aim to teach young people in school. Luckily the internet can bring many of the sights and sounds of faraway places right into our homes! 

What to do: 

At a basic level, the assignment is to plan a trip from start to finish including where you wish to go and what you wish to see when you go there. But to turn this into a multifaceted learning experience we’ve outlined some of the subject area skills learners can build in the process. 

• Determine the distance you’ll have to travel to get to and from the destination and from place to place throughout the itinerary. If the trip is something that can be done by car, figure out how much gas will be needed. If the trip will require air travel do a cost comparison of flights on different airlines.
• Provide your learners with a budget for a week long trip and have them outline how much they will spend each day on food, travel, lodging, tickets, etc. Here is a lesson plan from Scholastic that explores this activity. 

SOCIAL STUDIES / GEOGRAPHY

• If you are teaching a grade level where students are learning about their home state or the US, you can focus the trip on particular regions they have studied. 
• Have students identify the various landforms and regions they will travel through during the trip and find pictures online that capture the diversity. 
• Students can still “visit” National Parks through virtual tours . You could focus the assignment on a national park and have them research things to do there, or include a visit to a national park in the itinerary. 
• Bored at Home? Here’s a Massive List of Museums, Zoos, and Theme Parks Offering Virtual Tours ( Good Housekeeping ) 
• Check Out These Virtual Tours of Museums Around the World ( Timeout ) 
• 17 Famous Art Museums You Can Visit from Your Living Room ( We Are Teachers )
• Here’s a List of All the Virtual Tours You Can Take Right Now—for Free! ( Taste of Home )

LANGUAGE ARTS

• Have students figure out a format for detailing their trip plan. Will they use an outline? A daily calendar? Some online tool? A slide show presentation? This article explores some resources: Ready for Vacation? Here’s the Best Tech for Trip Planning ( New York TImes )
• After students have created a plan for what they will do each day, consider having them write a travel journal that explains what they imagine they see and do. 
• Look at the menu for one of the restaurants you plan to visit on the trip and write up a description of the meal you’ll order there. 
• Take a virtual tour of one of the destinations on your trip and write a description of something fun you do there.
• If you’re driving by car as part of the trip, look at a map of things you’ll pass by along one leg of the journey and write a short description of what you imagine seeing out the window as you pass through these places. What will the landscape look like? What kinds of buildings or natural features might you see? 
• Create a music playlist that you’d use on this trip. Choose songs that relate in some way to the anticipated experiences of the trip and for each song title write a few sentences explaining your choice.

Inspired Teaching Connection: 

In this activity, the product as well as the process provide Wide-ranging Evidence of Student Learning . Students are usually participants in trips but rarely active planners; this activity positions them as Experts which can awaken curiosity and perhaps even the seeds of some future explorations! In every fact of their planning the 4 I’s will be hard at work as Intellect, Inquiry, Imagination, and Integrity are all essential companions in travel. 

See our instructional model here .

Micaiah Anderson

Community outreach specialist.

As a Community Outreach Specialist, Micaiah is responsible for program promotion and outreach support for Inspired Teaching events and workshops. Micaiah has a passion for collaborating with community members to build-power and connect. She is an educator with a heart for youth and has experience supporting students fight injustices within their schools and communities. She has a BA in Political Science from, the real HU, Hampton University & anticipates graduating in May 2024 with a Masters of Arts degree in Educational Policy Transformation from Georgetown University. 

" I want to have a say in what happens to me."

Autonomy is the need for independence; the ability to make choices, to create, to explore, and to express oneself freely; to have sufficient space, to move around, and to feel unrestricted with opportunities to exercise free will.

Brady Maiden

Outreach coordinator.

As the Outreach Coordinator, Brady helps maintain Inspired Teaching’s social media presence and supports the organization’s mission to connect with DC community leaders, educators, and parents. Brady has her Master’s in Public Policy from George Mason University and her BS in Political Science from Northern Arizona University. She is passionate about community, equity, and coalition building recognizing that learning and growing with the community at large is how we continue to be impactful.

What brings you joy in life?

I find joy in spending time with my friends and family and meeting new people. I like going to concerts and festivals, and finding new books to read. 

The Learner’s Cycle, Wonder-Experiment-Learn , and the Teacher’s Cycle, Observe-Plan-Instigate , comprise Inspired Teaching’s approach to engaging students in inquiry-based learning. 

When they are engaged in the Wonder-Experiment-Learn Cycle, students are immersed in learning. They take the lead in designing authentic learning experiences around their own interests and their school’s standards of learning. Each discovery leads to a new question which in turn leads to more wondering and more learning. In the Wonder-Experiment-Learn Cycle, Learn is not a destination or an endpoint; it is a deeper understanding, leading to a deeper wondering and new possibilities that create new entry points to further exploration. The cycle continues because what students have learned generates more wonderings that require more experiments that foster more learning – and on and on.

The Observe-Plan-Instigate  Cycle is t he work of an Inspired Teacher. While a student is expected to follow the Wonder-Experiment-Learn Cycle, the teacher joins them on the learning journey while following their own cycle of Observe-Plan-Instigate . This cycle ultimately serves to ensure an inquiry-based atmosphere is at play in the classroom.

Jaqueta Abbey

Teaching and learning specialist.

Jaqueta is the Teaching and Learning Specialist for Inspired Teaching. In addition to her current role with Inspired Teaching, Jaqueta is a first-grade teaching assistant. Her background features a variety of traditional and non-traditional experiences in the field of education, including working as an adjunct professor, teaching summer reading programs to children and adults, and tutoring children in the foster care system. Jaqueta earned a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an M.A. in Interactive Media from Elon University.

Creative self-expression! In addition to my passion for storytelling, I love dancing of all kinds. I've studied belly dance, bachata, and Brazilian Zouk among other styles. I also enjoy glass fusing, crocheting, photography, and cross stitching. These art forms allow me to express myself and build connections with other people at the same time. I think life would be a lot less vibrant without artists and storytellers!

Michelle Welk

Communication & marketing specialist.

As Communications and Marketing Specialist, Michelle is responsible for finding and creating new ways to highlight Inspired Teaching and promote its programs in order to expand and deepen the organization's impact. Michelle has worked in communications in an array of settings, from creative agencies to state politics to national nonprofits. She has a BA in Journalism from Temple University in Philadelphia and is passionate about education, access, and equity. 

My son, the beach, making a persuasive argument and good food!

Max Peterson

Real world history assistant teacher.

Max received his Bachelor’s degree in History and African American Studies from Boston University in May 2016. He has worked in museum curation at the Museum of the White Mountains in New Hampshire and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Max has worked with young people of varying ages from young children to young adults transitioning to college.

Feedback and Accountability 

We grow through feedback and an understanding that the quality of our work is a reflection of what we are learning, but the shift to remote learning this spring disrupted a lot of the tools teachers were used to using to evaluate student growth. How might we do things differently this fall? Participants in this workshop will explore ways to bring meaningful assessment into the virtual and/or socially-distanced classroom and approaches to student feedback that strengthen motivation, and build relationships and achievement.

Time: half day Appropriate for: all educators at all grade levels

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Rethinking How We Spend Time 

The teaching profession is already rife with time-consuming activities that don’t always benefit our students. Navigating the challenges of online, hybrid, or socially distanced learning means we have to be even more thoughtful about where and how we spend our time. In this workshop participants explore ways to make their work more efficient and the precious time they have with students more productive, and even enjoyable.

Centering Students and Checking Bias

Our assumptions about students often get in the way of meeting their needs. This is especially true when we don’t have the same opportunities to get to know them in person. What messages are we unintentionally conveying through our email or video communications with students and their families? What steps can we take to make online learning equitable and respectful for all our students? This workshop offers participants a framework for decision-making as they plan for the new school year, an opportunity to critically examine their practice, and concrete strategies for elevating student voice and engaging productively with students.

Setting Goals and Creating Structure Online

Can we have the same goals in online learning that we do in the physical classroom? Yes!...And, online learning offers different means of achieving them. Participants will evaluate specific goals in their curriculum and explore ways to structure their time with students to efficiently maximize impact. 

Building Community in Uncertain Times

One of the big concerns teachers have about the upcoming school year is how they’ll get to know their students if their only encounters are through a computer screen or in-person but socially distanced. In this hands-on workshop participants will learn and practice strategies for community building online and/or in modified classrooms and craft a plan for learning all about their students in the first weeks of school. 

Jenna Fournel

Director of teaching and learning.

Jenna Fournel has been involved with Center for Inspired Teaching since 2004 and has worked in the education field for more than 20 years. She began her career as a high school English teacher and has served as Director of Communications for both Inspired Teaching and the National Council of Teachers of English. Her overarching professional goal is to do what she can to make the world a kinder place. She believes investing in the education of our young people is the best place to start.

Bella Cavicchi

Teaching and learning coordinator.

As the Teaching and Learning Coordinator, Bella manages Inspired Teaching’s digital presence and supports the organization’s efforts to reach new communities of educators and students. She believes passionately in honoring the voices of young people, and in and outside of the classroom, she strives to create inclusive spaces where students’ curiosity can thrive. She holds a B.A. in Literacy and the Performing Arts from Brown University and an MPhil in Arts, Creativity, and Education from the University of Cambridge. Currently, she lives and works as a drama teacher in London, where she is inspired daily by her students' creativity!

Chair; CFO, Options Solutions

John Nolan is a finance executive with over 30 years of of experience at organizations of various sizes. He has served in “C” level positions at public, private equity and private companies in the SaaS, Management Consulting, Telecommunications and Computer Hardware industries. He has deep experience in implementing and improving controls and other financial processes across organizations.

He is currently the CFO and CCO of Options Solutions, LLC, an investment advisory firm. Formerly, served as the CFO of Determine Inc., an international provider of contract management and procurement software. Prior to that, John spent a decade as CFO and then CEO of Quadel Consulting, a provider of services to low income housing programs. John’s other professional experience includes 3 years at IBM and 15 years at MCI, where he ran Corporate Finance for the Fortune 100 company.

He holds an undergraduate degree from Tulane University, an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, and is a licensed CPA. John’s work with non-profits has primarily focused on educational organizations. He served for five years as the Treasurer of the Blessed Sacrament School board in DC. For three years he was on the board of Imagination Stage (IS) of Bethesda, a youth focused arts and education organization. John also served for six years on the corporate advisory board of So Other Might Eat (SOME), the DC based poverty services organization that is greatly expanding its job training programs.

Mr. Nolan has spoken on financial leadership and cost analysis at Chief Financial Officer Magazine, Better Management Live and IDC conferences. The costing systems he put in place at MCI received the Enterprise Intelligence award from the software company SAS.

Want to bring Inspired Teaching to your team or school?

Access school or district professional learning funds:  Some districts have professional learning discretionary funding for schools, or other funds that can be accessed for this purpose. Principals, district supervisors, curriculum supervisors, professional learning directors, and superintendents are good people to check with.  Depending on how many colleagues at your school participate, and the subject of the course, you may be able to access school improvement funds as well (e.g., for a course in Relationship-Based Classrooms, which would address school climate).

Talk to your PTA  representatives. These groups often have grants and money set aside for professional learning and school improvement.

Donors Choose is an organization where educators can post projects for donors to browse and fun, including professional learning that is used to further your craft.  Go to their website  to create a free account and find out more. Remember to post your project to social media, so that your friends and family can see the work you're doing and share it with others!

The  NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education   awards grants that support the professional learning of public school teachers and faculty in public institutions of higher education. Grants may fund professional learning experiences, such as summer institutes or action research, mentoring experiences or lesson study. Professional learning must improve practice, curriculum and student achievement, and recipients must put professional leadership into practice by sharing what they learn with their colleagues. For specific information, visit the NEA Foundation’s  application instructions  page.

Fund for Teachers   is unique in that it awards grants for professional learning based on the principle that the teacher is the one who knows what they need to grow as an educator. These grants are self designed and allow teachers to create their own professional learning opportunity based on what is most beneficial to their teaching in their own opinions. The  application  encourages educators to think about their objectives, motivations and the impact their particular plan of action will have on students. Applications are due in January.

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation provides  Teacher Development Grants  for individual teachers or small teams working in K-12 education. To foster insightful and innovative professional learning and growth, the grants allow you to implement new teaching methods and strategies in the classroom. Projects can take a variety of forms, but each of them must be geared towards having a significant and lasting impact in the classroom. Winners work closely with the foundation to implement their ideas and are awarded up to $10,000 for the first three years of the project.

Earn PLU hours while taking a workshop!

Washington, D.C. educators can receive PLU hours for participating in courses. Each day of a course is 6 hours of credit - we will provide a certificate upon completion of the course. Please see the  OSSE certification website  for more information.

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A taste of inspired teaching, time & location, about the event.

Christine Sheridan

Program grant manager.

Nothing brings me joy in life like spending time with family and friends. I love being active and spending time outdoors, making stained glass, and trying new foods!

Top 20 School Trip Ideas

Written by Dan

Last updated February 13, 2024

Teaching can be a gratifying job, and it’s even more fun when you get the chance to take your students on a school trip. Trips are a great way to connect with your students while they learn something new outside the classroom—something that will stay with them for years to come.

But as any teacher knows, planning a successful school trip can be challenging in terms of organizing transport and activities and finding one that fits your budget.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of top 20 school trip ideas, which are full of fun learning opportunities for all ages at different price points so teachers everywhere can take their classes on an unforgettable educational journey!

Related : For more, check out our article on  Top 20 Assembly Ideas  here.

Table of Contents

School Trip Idea 1: Local Museums.

A day spent exploring a local history museum, art museum, science centre, or planetarium can be both educational and fun. Students can learn about different cultures and periods, as well as gain an appreciation for the work of artists and scientists past and present.

School Trip Idea 2: Outdoor Adventures.

Nothing gets students outdoors like a school trip to a campground or state park. Kids can explore nature while learning about the environment, and they’ll get to try new activities like canoeing, rock climbing, zip-lining and more!

School Trip Idea 3: Cultural Destinations.

Embark on an educational adventure at a cultural destination such as a historic site, a cultural centre, or an archaeological site. Students can explore the customs and beliefs of different cultures, gain insights into people’s lifestyles in other countries and periods, or even participate in interactive workshops to learn about various topics.

School Trip Idea 4: Farm Visits.

One for younger kids! Farms offer the perfect opportunity to explore nature up close and personal. On a farm trip, students will learn about the importance of sustainable farming practices, animal husbandry, and healthy food choices. Plus, they can have plenty of fun collecting eggs or feeding animals!

School Trip Idea 5: Aquariums & Zoos.

Aquariums and zoos offer a wealth of educational opportunities for students. Kids can learn about animals in their natural habitats and uncover the ocean’s mysteries and inhabitants. Plus, it’s always a treat to see some incredible wildlife up close!

School Trip Idea 6: Art Galleries & Historic Sites.

Immerse yourself in art and history by visiting an art gallery or historic site. Here, students can explore the works of famous artists, view unique artefacts from centuries past, and gain a greater understanding of different cultures and traditions worldwide.

School Trip Idea 7: Theater & Dance Performances.

Encourage appreciation of the performing arts by taking your students to a theatre or dance performance. Not only will they be exposed to different forms of art, but they’ll also pick up on important lessons about collaboration, communication, and expression.

School Trip Idea 8: Amusement & Theme Parks.

Give your students a thrilling educational experience at an amusement or theme park. Here they can learn about physics and engineering while riding rollercoasters, find out what it takes to run a successful business by exploring different attractions and practice mathematics by figuring out the cost of rides and food.

School Trip Idea 9: Sports & Recreation Facilities.

Take your students to the sports facility for a day of physical activities. Not only can they get some exercise, but they’ll also learn about teamwork, competition and fair play. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity for kids to develop skills like problem-solving and coordination.

School Trip Idea 10: Factories & Industrial Sites.

Bring your students to a factory or industrial site and watch how things are made. Here they’ll learn about the manufacturing process, discover the importance of safety measures, and gain insights into the production of everyday items.

It’s an eye-opening experience that can help them understand the value of hard work and effort.

School Trip Idea 11: STEM Centers.

A trip to a STEM centre is an excellent opportunity for students to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a hands-on environment. Kids can participate in interactive workshops, build robots or learn about coding—all while having fun!

School Trip Idea 12: National Parks.

Give your students a chance to experience nature in all its glory at a national park. Here, they can observe the wildlife, explore different ecosystems and gain insights into conservation efforts. Plus, there are usually plenty of activities for them to try, like camping, hiking and canoeing.

School Trip Idea 13: Local Rivers and Streams.

To help kids understand the importance of conservation, take them on a trip to a nearby river or stream. Once there, they can collect data about water quality and identify different species of fish and plants. Plus, it’s always fun fishing or playing water games!

School Trip Idea 14: Transport Museums.

Give your students a fascinating glimpse into transportation by taking them to a transport museum. Here they can learn about the history of different modes of transport, explore how vehicles are made and operated, and gain insights into the science behind motion and energy.

School Trip Idea 15: Planetariums & Observatories.

Take your students to a planetarium and observatory for an unforgettable experience. Here they can learn about the stars, planets and galaxies, as well as fascinating facts about solar systems and astrology. Plus, they’ll have a chance to use telescopes and gaze up at the night sky!

School Trip Idea 16: World War Historical Sites.

To help your students understand the impact of World War II, take them to a nearby historical site. Here they can learn about important battles and key figures from that era, better understand different political ideologies and gain insights into how wars are fought and won.

School Trip Idea 17: International Trips.

Take your students on an international trip and give them a taste of another culture. Here they can explore different customs, sample exotic cuisines, learn about foreign languages and appreciate the beauty of other countries. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience for everyone!

School Trip Idea 18: Profesional Sports Games.

Bring your students to a professional sports game and give them a chance to cheer for their favourite teams. Not only can they learn about the game’s rules, but they’ll also experience the energy and excitement of watching live sporting events. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience!

School Trip Idea 19: Charity Events & Fundraisers.

Let your students give back by taking them to a charity event or fundraiser. Here they’ll learn the importance of helping others and gain insights into how even small contributions can make a big difference.

Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity for kids to develop teamwork, competition and public speaking skills.

School Trip Idea 20: Business Tours.

Take your students on a business tour and let them explore the world of entrepreneurship first-hand. Here they can learn about different industries, gain insights into how businesses are run and even meet entrepreneurs who can share their inspiring stories. It’sIt’se to be an invaluable experience for all!

School trips are an excellent way to help students develop essential skills and gain fresh perspectives. From national parks and observatories to charity events and business tours, plenty of exciting options can create an educational and unforgettable experience.

With careful planning and consideration, you can make a successful school trip that will benefit your students in many ways.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next school trip today!

Related Posts

About The Author

I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.

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The Ultimate How-To Guide on Planning a School Trip

Print your customisable school trip planning timeline., when you start planning your annual school trip, the task lists and deadlines can feel overwhelming. at the learning adventure, we help you through the whole process – use our guide’s printable resource below as your own customisable timeline to help get you organised..

9 months to go : Get the go ahead from senior management to run an educational trip.

Every school has its own procedure – you might already have clearance to run a trip or you might need to ask your manager first.

8 months to go: Get in contact with us and we will start working on an itinerary to suit your budget.

Let us know what destinations and subject you’re looking at and the budget you’re aiming for, as well as how much of a mix between culture and education you’d like. Have an idea of what kind of accommodation you’d like and whether you’d like to book flights with us (we’re ATOL protected). Then, we’ll get going putting together an initial itinerary and quote for you.

7.5 months to go: Now is the time to tweak the itinerary. Let’s get it perfect for you.

We’ll customise your trip to your subject, curriculum, budget and any other needs. Once you’ve got the initial quote and itinerary, tell us which activities you like or don’t like.  We want to get it just right and can update the itinerary as many times as necessary. We can also help with any questions relating to visas, insurance, risk assessments or packing lists.

7 months to go : Itinerary and price confirmed. It’s time to start recruiting students.

Spread the word to your students and their parents in class, assemblies, emails and letters home. Highlight the key activities and learning objectives in the itinerary, stress the educational value and give them all the important information, like prices, payment dates and sign-up deadlines.

5 months to go : Confirm how many students are coming, sign your booking contract and we will send you an invoice. Now’s also the time to collect deposits from your students.

This is the most exciting point. You know who’s joining the adventure, exactly what you’re doing and what your students will get out of it. Once you’ve signed the booking contract the trip is officially booked!

4.5 months to go : Your first deposit is now due.

We usually charge 30% of the full amount as an initial deposit. This pays for parts of the tour that need to be booked, confirmed and paid for in advance. This varies from trip to trip though so feel free to chat to us about this– we’re flexible.

3.5 months to go : You might want to start collecting the rest of the payments from your students now.

How you collect payments is up to you and your school. Sometimes, schools prefer to collect the full amount right at the beginning, others collect in two or three installments, and others collect payments from parents monthly.

3 months to go : Your second payment is now due.

This is usually another 30% of the full amount but like the first deposit, we can be flexible so get in touch to discuss this further.

1 month to go : Pay the remaining balance and get The Learning Adventure in to answer any questions from parents and students.

With just 40% left to pay, you are nearly on your way.

You might also want to ask one of our team members to come into your school for a parents’ evening. We can answer any questions that parents have face to face and ensure that everyone gets excited about their upcoming adventure.

Departure Date

This is it. You might be going on a school trip to China , Japan , South Korea , South East Asia , Italy , France or Spain , but, wherever you’re going, your students are up for The Learning Adventure of a lifetime!

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Related posts

How to Prepare for a School Trip to Korea: Korean Basic Phrases, Customs & Schooling 

World Book Day 2024

Turing Scheme 2024 now open! Funding for international school trips.

School Travel

Getting Started

• Familiarise yourself with your school’s procedure for organising days away, ensuring that you have all of the necessary approvals and forms on hand. To avoid anything from slipping through the cracks, it’s worth going over the administrative process with another colleague.
• Write down the objectives of the visit to convince parents or guardians of its educational (or other) value for their children. Make sure that you ask for written consent from all parents.
• Develop an itinerary and a packing checklist. While this can be time consuming, it’s not if you let us do this for you! You’ll share this schedule of events with parents, students and colleagues.
• Make a list of every pupil attending the trip, and create folders that contain their parents’ or guardians’ written consent, their medical and dietary requirements and other important information, such as their behavioural tendencies.
• It’s always a good idea to visit the location beforehand. At the School Travel Company we can organise an inspection visit prior to the trip, allowing you to conduct risk assessments, try out your chosen accommodation and check out local transport options before your class steps foot off the bus.

Preparing Your Pupils

• Showing pupils a film about the destination
• Having students who went on past trips talk about what they most enjoyed
• Going over the itinerary in class, and – if the outing is educational – highlighting opportunities for downtime
•  If applicable, giving them a checklist of items (and/or questions about them) to look out for during their trip, such as historical monuments or flora and fauna. The first person to see everything on the list wins a prize!

Of course, these tips for planning your outing are only a drop in the ocean compared to our experienced team’s wealth of insider knowledge. Whether you’re looking for school trip ideas or already have a specific excursion in mind, we at The School Travel Company are here to lift the logistical weight off of your shoulders. To find out more about our inspiring itineraries, get in touch with us today.  

“Bringing the Classroom to Life”

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Social Studies Aloft

Ideas, Resources, and Inspiration for Your Inquiry-Based Social Studies Classroom

• Road Trip Project for middle school

Looking for an engaging end-of-the-year project for Middle School Social Studies? One option I love is a Plan a Road Trip Project. It is a great fit for the end of the school year when you and your students have summer on the brain, because road trips and summertime go hand in hand.

A great project for middle school

Here are the reasons a Plan a Road Trip Project works so well:

• It has real-world connections. When students plan their road trip, they will be selecting from actual locations. Who knows, the project might even inspire some of their future travels.
• Students are learning about Geography without even realizing it. This project brings in different aspects of Geography to help reinforce Geography skills that are important for students.
• It incorporates student choice. Each student you teach can create a different road trip for their project. This student choice will help create high levels of engagement for your students.
• You can make it cross-curricular. You can easily include things like mileage calculations, costs of gas and other travel-related expenses, and journal writing. These will make your Plan a Road Trip Project a cross-curricular learning experience for your students.
• Making historical connections is easy. If you’d like to tie the project into historical events, you can require students to visit sites with historical connections, such as lunch counters significant to the Civil Rights Movement or Revolutionary War battlefields.

Supporting Student Success

As with any Middle School Social Studies Project, three keys to success are scaffolding, chunking, and communication.

• Scaffolding – Provide students with the support they need to complete the tasks in their project. You know your students best. Some examples of scaffolding they might need for this project are: 1) a list of possible sites to visit or 2) an example of how to calculate their mileage.
• Chunking – Give students mini-deadlines along the way to keep them from putting off the project to the last minute. I find it helpful to give students an exact task or tasks I expect them to complete in a class period, and if they don’t finish that task in class, it becomes homework.
• Communication – It is always helpful to email parents when students are starting a project, even if you expect students will complete the project in class. I like to provide parents with information like the project description, deadlines, and the purpose of the project. I tell parents it is their student’s responsibility to complete the work, but they can help remind their student about the project and check to see that their child is keeping up with all the mini-deadlines.

A Done-for-You Plan a Road Trip Project

If you’d like to use a Plan a Road Trip Project with your students, but want to save yourself a lot of time, check out this no-prep, digital Plan a Road Trip Project . It’s ready to assign to your students today. 

Here’s what teachers are saying about this Plan a Road Trip Project:

• “I have some students who are distance, hybrid and some who are in person. This was a great lesson to have them be able to work together and share their ideas. I loved that I was able to place this in our online classroom and they could work at their own pace. When they are all finished they are going to be sharing their trip ideas with all. There are so many extension pieces that could be added to this if a person wanted. Thank you for your work on this and your willingness to share. It has been a lifesaver!” – Amanda F.
• “I used this during distance learning to practice research skills. What a well thought out, organized project. Super simple to follow and my students seemed to really enjoy it!!” – Jennifer P.
• “This was a very engaging and fun project spanning multiple days with my middle schoolers. The kids got to have fun while applying the skills we were focusing on. Easy to follow and would recommend to others.”  – Taryn S.

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School Trip Ideas Abroad: The Ultimate Planning Guide

Organising a school trip abroad can be exciting, but also rather stressful. The whole process begins months in advance and there are lots of things to consider and think about. You might have lots of students to prepare, itineraries to plan, and of course you need to consider packing for the school trip—particularly if it’s somewhere exotic like a biology trip in The Galapagos. With this in mind, if you don’t know where to start with arranging and planning a school trip overseas, we’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide to planning a school trip abroad.

Planning a school trip should be full of excitement and the feeling of new adventures as well as educational, right? Unfortunately, planning a school trip can also feel overwhelming and hectic—and just extra work on top of your busy schedule. How do you tackle it?

Elements of a School Trip Planning Guide

We’ve done some of the work for you and compiled this School Trip Planning Guide. Just remember that you may want to consider altering some of the items, depending on the specifics—for example if it is a subject-specific educational trip or you’re going somewhere unique.

1.Gauging Interest In The School Trip (S.M.T)

The first stage of planning a successful school trip is considered the ‘Early Planning Stages.’ This breaks down into three key areas:  Students, Management  and  Timing .

The first thing to consider is  which students are you aiming the trip at?  This affects important key elements of your school trip. For example, if you’re aiming the trip at just a niche subject, are you going to achieve desired group numbers and, in turn, how is this going to affect budgets? Do you need to consider combining subject areas to make your educational trip a reality? Try and appeal to as many students as possible, so you can excite students for their trip!

Equally important is the age and stage of the students. Is this going to impact on timing elements (more on this below). Try and plan your school trip at a time that is practical for your students. Is there an upcoming exam season? Or perhaps a popular holiday period? These are all vital elements that should be at the forefront of your planning.

OK, you’ve decided that you and your students are ready for the trip to go ahead. Next step, what are senior management going to think? How do you discuss your school trip ideas with senior management?

There are two parts to this point and I can’t stress part 1 enough. The first part is simple: discuss your idea informally with colleagues and Senior Management before formally scheduling a meeting. The last thing you want to do is spend time researching the specifics of your trip and its educational aims, before knowing if this idea is something the school is receptive to.

The second part of this point is to formally schedule a meeting with colleagues and senior management, but this comes a little bit later in the planning timeline.

You may have an ideal time that you would like to run your school trip, however have you considered any barriers that might get in your way. Try considering the following questions in this order:

Most school groups plan 12 to 24 months as there is quite a procedure for launching your trip and collating all the various paperwork. However, we’re able to accommodate a wide range of demands for school group expeditions so have often worked with shorter timeframes! If you’re quite close to your ideal departure date, it might be worth giving us a call to see if it is a realistic timeframe.

2. What Are The Aims Of The School Trip? (D.A.T.E)

If stage one has been successful, and you’ve had green lights from all of senior management – then congratulations! You’re on your way to your exciting school trip abroad. There are just a few decisions to be made about the aims of your group trip and then you’re nearly ready to launch!

Destinations

Where do you want to go? This is not always such a simple question as it sounds!

Perhaps you’re looking for a  science school trip  where students can experience a wide variety of biodiversity, in which case The Galapagos or  Costa Rica  would be ideal school trip destinations. Alternatively you might be looking for more of a physical challenge where students will need to work together to achieve a common goal in which case Himalayan trekking in Nepal or volunteer work in  Tanzania  would make excellent school trip locations. But perhaps there are other restrictions that come into play, such as the length of the flight, or the temperature of the destination country. These important questions can help streamline your planning phenomenally.

This can be difficult decision, but our expert destination knowledge means we are able to advise you on which location will suit your school expedition best. Our Expedition Leaders are situated throughout the world and this permanent base in many countries means we have local knowledge and can offer advanced educational program suggestions for your subject-specific school trips, your trip aims and budget.

Examples of school trip destinations that Gapforce offer school groups the chance to travel to include:

• Biology trips to see amazing wildlife, geographical excursions, and historical tours on a  Sri Lanka school trip
• Jungle trekking and conservation projects on a  school trip to Borneo
• Community volunteering projects and visiting historical sites on a  Vietnam school trip
• Trekking, historical temples and volunteering on the  school trips to India

The final three sections of this part of the planning process really merge into one, and you’ll see quickly that they have a lot of crossover. But now that you’ve given some thought to the destination of the trip, the exciting part of the planning can really kick off. What do you want to do on the trip?

If you’ve decided that you are launching a school trip in Africa, perhaps you love the idea of fitting in a safari in the Serengeti? Or perhaps you have decided to take your school group to Europe, in which case a West End theatre show in London is a must!

But of course, we’re here to tailor your trip and ensure your days are filled with activities that will go hand-in-hand with the theme and learning outcomes of your subject-specific expedition! Which leads to our last two points for this section…

What is the subject or theme of your trip? Biology, Geography, History—or perhaps a blend of multiple themes? Let us know and our expert team, combined with their comprehensive knowledge of the countries in which they are based, will help you create the perfect educational expedition for your group.

The final part of setting aims for your trip involves asking yourself ‘What are the learning outcomes you want to achieve?’

Ultimately, it is only with this simple question that the success of your trip can be evaluated at the end!

3.Selecting A Travel Company For Your School Trip (P.L.A.N)

The third and final part of our Ultimate Guide to Planning a Successful Trip is without a doubt the most important element. At this stage, you’ve made all the internal decisions about your school group including where to go and what the aims are—now you just need to choose a partner travel company that will make your trip a success.

Below are the four key decision-making factors for choosing a travel company for your school expedition, but perhaps the most important standalone reason to emphasise choosing the right company is Safety and Support. (We’ve written a whole page about  Safety and Support ).

Preparation

When it comes to choosing a travel company, how much support will they give you in the build up and preparations of your trip? Does your travel company provide a school trips abroad checklist so you can monitor your progress and make sure your preparations are on track?

At Gapforce, your Gapforce Advisor will attend a launch evening, assist with forms, provide an outline portal for kit lists and medical forms, plus follow-up with regular meetings and pre-departure briefings leading up to your trip!

Your students will be spending each and every day of their school trip with the travel company’s leaders on the ground, so what do you know about them?

Gapforce is renowned for the select team of enthusiastic leaders who run our worldwide expeditions. Our expedition leaders are put through our intense four-month expedition leadership training course and are rigorously trained from the ground-up (literally!) in safety, group education, jungle survival and much more. This truly makes them the best outdoor experts for our group expeditions.

Accomplishment

As with any product or service, when choosing a company to run your school trip, don’t hesitate to ask them who they have worked with before and if they can provide a reference. (If you haven’t already, take a look at our case studies and testimonials from schools and colleges that have gone on group expeditions with Gapforce).

Needs & Wants

After you have worked your way through all of the planning points above, you’re well on your way to running a highly successful school trip in the country of your choice. Along the way, you will have encountered ideas for your trip that you feel will make it even more of a success. We encourage you to share these ideas with your travel company and be sure to ask yourself: “Does this company provide everything we are looking for?”

If there are any areas whatsoever that aren’t covered by the travel company you are considering selecting, don’t settle for anything less than your expectations! You and your students deserve the very best school trip and we wish you the very best in planning it!

School Trip Destination Ideas

So there you have it! Your complete guide to planning a school trip. For further advice on how to make your vision a reality please contact one of the Gapforce team on 020 7384 3028, or  browse our website  for some inspirational school trip destination ideas.

Call us on: 1-917-305-5404

Home » The CAS Trips Guide to Planning a School Trip

The CAS Trips Guide to Planning a School Trip

Planning a school trip here is our cas trips checklist to make travel planning a breeze..

Step 1: Shortlist Your Destinations

Shortlist where you would like to travel based on our global Destinations .

Step 2: Set Up a Consultation Call 

Book in a quick 10-15 minute call with our experts to explore the possibilities based on your travel needs and learning outcomes. Alternatively, you can fill out our contact form .

Step 3: Confirm Your Destination & Dates 

Confirm your final destination and consult your academic calendar to select your preferred travel d ates. We recommend allowing a 4-6 month planning period.

Step 4: Get Approval 

Discuss our proposal(s) and gain approval from your leadership team. Research any government approval and visa requirements you might need depending on where you are based.

Step 5: Spread the Word

Inform the student and parent body about the trip. We can deliver an online presentation and have prepared in-school advertising materials available upon request.

Step 6: Gather Enrollment Fees to Confirm Your School Trip

Set a date for students to pay their enrollment fee. CAS Trips requires a 30% deposit payment to confirm your trip. Please make sure to clearly communicate the cancellation terms & conditions before this final stage.

Ready to start travel planning your student trip?

Check out our destinations here and email us at [email protected] for travel inspiration and planning assistance.

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ESL Lesson Plan: Travel Plans

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This English lesson plan helps reinforce  vocabulary related to traveling  by asking students to plan trips and excursions based on the profile of different groups of travelers. It is helpful to use local newspapers, especially newspapers that provide local events, to give students ideas of real places to visit. Most large cities have specialty newspapers that focus on local events and attractions available for free throughout the city.

Instructions for Teachers

The lesson begins with students deciding which types of groups are going to take a trip. Based on which group of travelers are going, students then use resources to plan out a short stay in a specific city or area of the country. Of course, you can choose to have students focus on distant locations. If you are teaching English in another country, it's probably best to vary this and focus on traveling abroad to allow the use of English place names.

Lesson Aims: Completing a small group task using the internet and other resources available in English, describing a travel destination and itinerary in detail

Activity: Planning a short trip to a specific location based on different traveler types

Level: Intermediate  

Lesson Plan

As a class, discuss what types of locations, travel plans, etc. might be suitable for these different types of travelers:

• A married couple on a honeymoon
• Two friends who are attending college
• Two business people 

As a class, discuss which resources students can use to make travel plans. There are many travel websites online that offer all the necessary tools for scheduling a trip. If available, use a projector and walk through the process of finding round trip flight tickets and hotels on a travel site. 

Using the worksheet below, break students up into pairs or small groups (maximum of 4) assigning a pair of travelers to each group. Have students come up with detailed plans for each travel group. After each group has finished, have them present their travel plans to the entire class.

Variation: To extend this activity, ask students to create a presentation using PowerPoint or another similar software application. Students should find photos and write up bullet points for each of the activities to include in the presentation . 

Plan a Trip to ___________ for the Following Travel Groups:

Honeymooners

Mary and Tim have just married and are in the mood for a great honeymoon to celebrate their eternal love for each other. Make sure to include lots of romantic options and some excellent meals to mark this happy event.

College Friends

Alan and Jeff are attending college together and are looking to have a wild week of fun and adventure. They love going to clubs and partying hard, but they don't have a lot of money to eat at fine restaurants. 

Cultured Couples

The Andersons and the Smiths are married couples that have been friends for years. Their children are grown up and have their own families. Now, they enjoy traveling together and place a great deal of emphasis on visiting sights of cultural significance. They also love going to concerts and eating fine food. 

Business People

These business people are interested in opening up a new company at your chosen location. They need to find out about the area, meet local business people, and discuss their proposal with local government.

Family with Children

The McCarthur family has three children aged 2, 5, and 10. They love spending time outdoors and have a limited budget for eating out. They aren't interested in entertainment, but the parents like to take the children to important museums to help with their cultural education. 

Peter and Dan

Peter and Dan married a few years ago. They love to explore gay hot spots in cities they travel to, as well as do traditional sight-seeing tours. They are also gourmets who spend up to $500 on good meals, so they'd like to go to at least one top rated restaurant. 

Travel Planning Sheet

Fill in the information to complete the vacation plans.

Dates / Times: Cost:

How many nights?: Cost:

Rental car yes/no? If yes, cost:

Trips / Sightseeing for the day: Cost:

Restaurants / Eating: Where?: Cost:

Evening entertainment: What / Where? Cost:

Add as many days as necessary to your travel planning sheet.

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Planning a School Trip Step by Step Guide

Where to begin.

The most common way for schools to book a school trip is through a school tour operator, who can help take care of your school trip requirements, logistics and planning. Choosing to travel with a tour operator can help students to build their knowledge and cultural appreciation for new and unknown places, whilst creating an exciting and memorable experience.

Before choosing your tour operator, you should think carefully about your budget (what is affordable for parents?) and the dates that work best to avoid clashes with any other school activities. You should also remember to seek approval from your EVC or SLT before continuing with any further school trip planning.

Finding your tour operator

When selecting your tour operator, you should be on the lookout for someone who is a member of the School Travel Forum (STF) and holds the LOTC Quality Badge in order to gain peace of mind when it comes to safety standards. When looking for a tour operator choose someone who is honest with you and that has your learning objectives at heart. You should also choose a tour operator who has the important accreditations – ABTA and ATOL (if you are flying) so you can be sure they are financially protected.

When searching, make sure to consider an operator with great  local knowledge , a thorough safety management system, and a  personal tour consultant  on hand throughout your trip. A good tour operator is one that can take care of all loose ends and create a sense of fun, meaning that teachers can sit back and enjoy the trip just as much as their pupils.

When it comes to requesting prices, make sure you ask for a full written quote from various tour operators to ensure that you are getting the best price possible. Take a look at our  comparison table  to see exactly what your quote should include.

Approving and promoting your trip

Once you have chosen your destination and tour operator, it’s time to meet with your EVC and SLT to get full approval for your trip. When you have approval, you can provisionally book and start looking into the finer details of the trip.

Make sure to request a full provisional document which states the aspects of your trip that aren’t included in the price. This will help to give an indication of any other charges that may be incurred in future.    

When it comes to promoting your school trip to parents, you should make sure to share as much information as possible from the outset. This will help to establish an initial number of students attending your trip. Take a look at the  Letters and Templates  section of our website for help.

Booking your trip

Once you have received your deposits from parents, it’s time for the fun bit. After confirming passenger details, you can officially book your trip!

As for the finer details, you tour operator should be able to help with this – leaving you to think about creating lasting memories for both you and your students. The  Tour Planning & Tools  section of our website has a wealth of information, from packing checklists to insurance information and payment planners, to help you get started.

Download your free Planning Guide

We have put together a free planning guide that you can print off to help you plan.

Steps for Planning a Trip

A roadmap for planning your educational trip.

We understand choosing a Travel For Teens program is a big decision to make! We are here to help guide you every step of the way to ensure you choose the best trip for your interests and goals!

International travel gives young learners the opportunity to immerse themselves in new cultures, expand their perspectives, and gain essential skills that they’ll need throughout their lives. Planning and executing an educational trip abroad for your students may seem intimidating at first. But with TFT, we handle almost all of the planning for school trips, taking the pressure off teachers. We’re here to help and support you throughout the process and ensure you and your students have a fun, safe, and authentic experience.

Follow these steps when navigating your options and give your students a life-changing opportunity to broaden their horizons.

Step-by-Step Guide for Teachers

Define the goals and objectives of the trip.

With over 160 programs to choose from, there is a wide range of many types of adventures. Are you looking for a trip that offers more adrenaline activities or an urban-cultural focus? Do you want to engage in community service projects, practice a language, or both?

Before you select a tour operator and begin planning your itinerary, it’s important to determine what the educational goals and objectives are for your trip. Consider the subject matter, desired destination, and specific learning outcomes that will best serve your students.

Here are some questions to ask yourself in this early planning phase:

What specific lessons do I want my students to take away from this trip? How can I ensure the destination and itinerary items align with the educational goals? What safety concerns should I consider when selecting a destination and planning the itinerary?

It is recommended to view the Frequently Asked Questions page when preparing to choose your trip! Additionally, each program has trip-specific FAQs on each webpage.

Research and select a reputable educational tour operator

Look for a tour operator like TFT that specializes in educational tours for students, has experience planning and coordinating trips to your desired destination, and provides plenty of planning resources and support for teachers, students, and families.

Important questions to keep in mind as you decide on a tour operator include:

What experience does the tour operator have in planning educational trips for students?

What are the safety protocols and procedures of the tour operator?

What staff training is required for counselors?

How does the tour operator work with teachers to develop an itinerary that aligns with the educational goals of the trip?

Plan the itinerary

TFT offers a variety of exciting programs and curated itineraries to choose from that include educational activities, sightseeing opportunities, and immersive cultural experiences that are specific to each location!

While we take care of most of the planning, we also understand that you and your students will have unique educational goals, interests, and needs. You have the option to work directly with us to design a customized itinerary for your trip.

Here are a few questions to consider when planning an itinerary with your tour operator:

What activities and experiences will help my students reach their educational goals? How can I balance educational activities with sightseeing and cultural experiences? How can I ensure the itinerary is feasible and within budget?

Secure funding

Determine the budget for the trip. Examples of funding options to consider include grants, fundraising , and sponsorships. It’s also always helpful to ask about discounts and special offers. At TFT, we offer a variety of ways students can save.

Here are a few good places to start when securing funding:

How can I provide options for students to obtain financial support for the trip? How can I ensure that costs are transparent and reasonable for students and their families? How can I manage unexpected expenses or changes in the budget?

TFT simplifies the funding process and takes the pressure off teachers by offering all-inclusive school trips and handling all payments directly!

Obtain necessary permissions and paperwork

With a tour itinerary in place and funding secured, it’s time to collect any necessary permissions and paperwork, including permission slips from parents and guardians, travel waivers, and any required travel visas or supporting documentation.

Questions to ask yourself as you prepare include:

What specific paperwork and permissions are required for students to travel abroad? How can I best communicate these requirements to parents and guardians? What contingency plans should I have in case students are unable to obtain the necessary paperwork or permissions?

Communicate with parents and students

It’s a good idea to expect students and their families to have lots of questions and concerns about the upcoming trip. You can help alleviate concerns and streamline communication by keeping parents and students informed about the details of the trip!

Plan to send updates about the tour itinerary, costs, safety protocols, and any necessary travel arrangements. Here are a few items to keep in mind:

How can I best keep parents and students informed about trip details and expectations? How often should I send updates to parents and students? How can I address concerns or questions from parents and students? What communication channels should I use to ensure that everyone is informed and up-to-date?

Prepare students for the trip

Ensure your students are fully prepared for the trip by providing them with relevant educational materials, an overview of the trip itinerary, and one of our detailed packing lists. They should also learn about cultural norms, customs, and behavioral expectations so they have the knowledge they need to respectfully interact with local populations.

Here are some things to consider during the preparation phase:

What educational materials and activities will help prepare students for the trip? How can I ensure that students understand cultural norms and expectations for behavior? How can I address any specific needs or concerns of individual students?

Execute the trip

Our incredible staff handles the daily planning and activities so you can focus on your students and their learning. They’ll ensure the itinerary is followed correctly, manage any unexpected issues, and ensure that the students are safe and accounted for.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to ensure the trip goes smoothly:

How can I work with the tour team to ensure my students are getting the most out of their experiences? Do any of my students need specific accommodations that TFT should know about? How can I incorporate specific lessons into daily activities?

Follow up and evaluate

After the trip, it’s always important to debrief with students, gather feedback from each student and their parents or guardians, and evaluate the success of the trip. This will help you determine how well the trip accomplished the specific educational goals and objectives you set out to achieve.

Here are some questions to consider to help you measure the success of the trip:

How can I best gather feedback from students, parents, and other stakeholders? How can I evaluate the success of the trip in meeting its educational goals and objectives? How can I use feedback and evaluation to improve future educational trips abroad?

Do it again!

Schedule a trip for next year in advance! Plan a second trip with TFT to earn (or cash in) loyalty points . These points can be redeemed for scholarships, room upgrades, personal travel purposes, and more.

With your first educational tour behind you, you can use your experience to help you plan the next one. Here are some great places to start:

What were some of the highlights of the trip that I would like to replicate or build upon for the next trip? How can I use the loyalty points earned from the previous trip to enhance the experience for my students on the next trip? Would I recommend this tour operator to a colleague or fellow teacher?

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How to Plan A School Trip

The school year is now on fast forward. You have a curriculum to cover, testing to complete, and a million tasks waiting on your desk. Oh- and it’s time to think about next year’s class trip! Relax… we’ve got you covered with five easy tips to get you started. Here’s how to plan a great school trip.

1. Choose Your Destination and Travel Dates

Decide where you want to go with your group. Are you traveling for the curriculum? Performance? Fun? There are tons of great student destinations (link to destinations page) to meet and exceed your travel expectations.

Boston makes an ordinary history lesson extraordinary with unique tours and “revolutionary” attractions.

Cleveland is picking up “STEAM” with science groups.

Orlando is a premier performance destination for bands, orchestras, and choral groups. There are so many fantastic destinations your students will love!

Top 10 Student Travel Destinations

Once you know where you’re going, decide when you’re going. The best travel times depend on the specific needs of your group. Consider weather, school schedules, rates, tournaments, etc.

Some destinations like Washington D.C. have lots of student groups in the spring. You may want to think instead of how to plan a great school trip in the fall.

If your destination gets cold ( Chicago , anyone?) you might want to travel in the spring or summer. Some destinations’ rates vary by season as well.

2. Communicate the Details with Parents and Students

Once you’ve figured out where and when you’re going, it’s time to get parents and students on board . According to SYTA’s independent research study 60% of teachers agree that student travel increases a student’s willingness to know/learn/ and explore. What parents wouldn’t want to help their child increase their willingness to learn?

Build excitement for the school trip using social media or hype it in class. See if your trip planner can put together a website just for your trip to send information out to your students and parents.

Plan a parent meeting (and be prepared to answer LOTS of questions!) or see if your trip planner can come and facilitate this! The more information you share, the more successful your trip will be.

3. Set A Schedule

Setting a schedule is one of the most stressful parts of planning a school trip. You may not know when to book attractions, when to take payments or make payments, or when to book transportation. Creating a checklist and timeline will help you manage the process. We’ve included some general benchmarks to help you plan successfully !

4. Make A Safety Plan

I take it back. THIS is the most stressful thing about planning a school trip. It’s a bit daunting to realize you are now responsible for the health and well-being of a group of poor decision-makers- I mean, students. In an age of cell phones and instant communication, parents often know when something goes wrong before you!

A solid safety plan and open communication are the keys to a successful student trip. We can’t guarantee that nothing bad will happen as you travel. After all, Mother Nature doesn’t always care that we have plans, buses occasionally break down or students get sick. The good news is that excellent safety resources are available to help inform you as you create a safety plan for student travel.

The Student Youth Travel Association is a superb place to start. This organization is committed to providing student and youth travelers with safe, rich, and rewarding travel experiences. A Safety Resource Guide and Safety Tips Brochure is available to download.

Creating a clear safety plan and method of communication will go a long way in helping to alleviate that all-encompassing anxiety associated with student travel. Parents will breathe easier knowing there’s a strategy for dealing with the unknown and students will clearly understand the safety procedures.

5. Choose Kaleidoscope Adventures as Your Trusted Travel Partner

If this abundance of information is starting to make you feel more anxious about how to plan a great student trip, RELAX.

Kaleidoscope Adventures can help you simplify the process. KA has been a leader in student trip planning for more than 25 years. Kaleidoscope’s founder and CEO is a former teacher and understands your challenges and time constraints.

The team at KA is accessible, competent, and incredibly knowledgeable. They have the inside scoop on the very best student destinations and performance venues. They’ll work with you to create an itinerary that meets your curricular goals and budget needs.

Planning your student trip with KA is easy and convenient – especially when time is not on your side! Contact Kaleidoscope Adventures today. They’ll handle the details of your school trip while you handle, well, everything else!

Get Started Planning Your School Trip

Choose A Reliable Tour Operator with Professional Memberships

Travel Beyond Expectations with Kaleidoscope Adventures

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A Financial Literacy Project Focused on the Future

A financial literacy project helps high school students plan for the lives they hope to lead through discussions of values and budgets.

All of us can probably remember being asked as children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Even at a young age, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I never stopped to think about how that would impact my adult budget or lifestyle, nor did I stop to imagine how the world might change between when I was in elementary school and when I entered the workforce in 2017.

A new project I developed helps high school students tackle that question by grounding it in financial literacy and “futures thinking”—thinking about possible futures. This project, which I call Gen Z Money, gives students the chance to think carefully about the life they hope to lead, while also opening up authentic opportunities for meaningful conversations around personal values, finances, budgeting, and future college and career decision-making. It helps students better understand that the path toward success isn’t always linear, a lesson that I am still learning.

Although I use this project in an after-school setting with students who have interests in business, Gen Z Money can easily be adapted for other classes such as English or economics.

What Is Futures Thinking?

In a recent Medium article, Laura McBain and Lisa Kay Solomon argue that we have an opportunity to support students so that they are not just “prepared” for their futures, “but capable of envisioning and building the futures they want to bring to life.” McBain and Solomon suggest that educators can use futures thinking to help students look beyond probable futures and imagine all their possible futures. In doing so, we can assist students in shaping futures that are more equitable and empathetic.

Using McBain and Solomon’s ideas as a guide, I developed Gen Z Money. For this project, students backwards-plan possible futures for themselves, using CNBC’s Millennial Money series as an exemplar. In each Millennial Money video, CNBC Make It profiles a young adult, spotlighting their career, budget, lifestyle, and personal values.

My students have particularly connected with the story of Destiny Adams , a 29-year-old Black woman living in Michigan who makes $158,000 a year by working a state job, running a small business, and managing her own YouTube channel. After watching Destiny’s story, I ask the class to imagine what their lives might look like at Destiny’s age. This question, “What will your life look like at age 30?” kicks off our Gen Z Money project.

Gen Z Money Project Steps

Futures Thinking Activity: Before thinking about their own lives at age 30, students engage in a futures thinking exercise by answering the following question: “What do you think the world will look like when you turn 30?” In small groups, students brainstorm what postsecondary education, the environment, the economy and jobs, and public health might look like in 2035. This forms the foundation for students’ work moving forward.

Personal Values: Next, students identify their personal values from a list I provide . We talk about how one’s values can impact the life they choose to lead. Are they prioritizing success, service, family, etc.? Do these values align with the futures thinking ethos of creating a world that is more equitable? What happens when two of these values come into conflict?

Vision Board: Next, students create a vision board for one possible future life at age 30. Using the futures thinking activity as a guide, students identify their ideal:

• Location—city, state, country
• Housing—apartment, house, etc.
• Transportation—car, bus, train, etc.
• Miscellaneous—subscriptions, fun purchases, savings, investments, donations, etc.

Students view all these components of their vision board through the lens of what they think the future will look like. If students think that pollution and global warming will be a continuing issue, for instance, they might choose to live in a location that is farther north or prioritize public transportation over a personal car.

Budget and Salary: After completing their vision boards, students calculate their monthly cost of living, keeping in mind that location impacts cost (Boston is a more expensive city than Tulsa, Oklahoma, for example). They then use their monthly budget to calculate the minimum yearly salary they need to make in order to afford the lifestyle they want.

Career: Next, students identify jobs that they think will continue to exist in 10+ years, align with their values, and pay the minimum salary they require. Many students also identify side hustles that might bring in extra income, allow them to monetize their hobbies, and/or raise awareness for causes they care about.

Presentations of Learning: Finally, students create presentations using a Google Slides template showcasing their possible futures in a format similar to the Millennial Money videos.

Extension Opportunities

While completing this project, students may have many questions about budgeting, taxes, and investing. They may also have questions about how the cost of living, salaries, and work-life balance might change by the time they are age 30. Teachers and guidance counselors can use these questions to launch into a longer unit on financial literacy. This project can also serve as a jumping-off point for an assignment to, for instance, write a letter to your future self or create a YouTube playlist of student presentations just like the Millennial Money series.

Students’ lives may not pan out in the way they envision in our Gen Z Money project, but this project can provide them with the tools to explore new, exciting possibilities and confidently navigate whichever futures they choose to pursue.

Naperville Sun | Start planning your alternate routes now —…

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Naperville Sun

Naperville sun | start planning your alternate routes now — myriad naperville road projects coming this spring and summer.

Warmer days mean sunshine, late sunsets, blue skies — and construction crews.

Naperville is slated for a myriad of road projects this spring and summer, some of which are already underway.

“We have a lot of work going on this year,” said Andy Hynes, deputy city engineer.

Headlining the slew of improvements is a flurry of work on Washington Street.

Construction continues on the city’s ongoing overhaul of the Washington Street bridge, which stretches over the west branch of the DuPage River. The project, started in May 2023, is a full replacement of the decades-old span and will be completed in two parts, an east section and a west section.

Crews finished pouring the east side of the new bridge deck earlier this month, Hynes said, which was a “major milestone.” Within the next month, work on the west side will start.

Construction will cost more than $9.8 million when finished. Federal funds are covering about $7.5 million of the price tag, according to Hynes.

Just north of bridge work, hefty streetscape upgrades are taking over Washington Street between Chicago and Benton avenues. The $8.4 million project, which is expected to continue through the end of October, started in February and includes street, sidewalk and utility improvements.

Amid Washington Street repairs, the city’s goal is to maintain traffic but there will inevitably be some disruptions and delays, Hynes said. They’re trying to “coordinate all these projects together so that we’re not … disrupting traffic multiple times,” he said.

On Columbia Street between Plank Road and Ogden Avenue, work has already started on $4.58 million in improvements, Hynes said. The city aims to have the job wrapped up by fall.

Another project that’s coming is a $4.45 million reconstruction project of Sylvan Circle in the Oak Hills neighborhood. Hynes said the work will include water main replacements, utility improvements and full pavement replacement.

With the city recently awarding the Sylvan project contract, construction should be starting within the next couple of weeks, he said.

On the city’s north side, the second phase of the North Aurora Road underpass project should be getting underway soon, Hynes said. On the docket since last year, second-phase plans call for the 110-year-old Canadian National/Wisconsin Central Railroad bridge to be replaced with a new structure going over traffic lanes expanded in the first phase of work, he said.

The underpass project is a joint venture between the cities of Naperville and Aurora and Naperville Township Road District.

Hynes said the project partners are “getting very close” to moving ahead with second phase construction. They wanted to start last year but were delayed by “ongoing coordination and agreements needed between numerous stakeholders in the project,” he said. They are “much closer” to having everything locked down but still have several agreements to execute, he said.

The estimated underpass construction cost is $38 million, of which $33 million will be funded with federal and state money. Local project partners will pay the rest, Hynes said.

Across town, the city plans to resurface 21 miles of street in 2024.

Resurfacing is one of several projects that make up the city’s annual street maintenance program. Other maintenance work includes crack filling, patching and microsurfacing. The combined budget for the annual program this year is $13 million, according to Hynes.

Beyond city-planned improvements, the Illinois Department of Transportation is resurfacing pavement on Ogden Avenue between Shandrew Drive and North Aurora Road. The project will include reconstruction of some sidewalk ramps and minor traffic signal modifications, according to a memo from city staff.

Work is well underway on that job, Hynes said, and shouldn’t take more than a few weeks to complete.

“It won’t be all summer long or anything like that,” Hynes said.

A portion of Ogden between Rickert Drive and Aurora Avenue will be excluded from the resurfacing because IDOT is reserving it for a future project planned that section of road.

As for DuPage County road work planned for Naperville this year, county spokeswoman Joan Olson couldn’t provide details yet. “Our DuPage Department of Transportation will likely present their 2024 projects to the Transportation Committee in early May,” she said in an email.

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Man shocked by $143,000 phone bill from overseas trip

(Gray News) - When it comes to your phone plan, it helps to read the fine print. A Florida man learned that the hard way after he incurred a fortune in roaming charges during a trip to Europe.

Rene Remund told WFTS he was charged $143,269 for using 9.5 gigabytes of roaming data during a three-week trip to Switzerland.

He said he’s been a T-Mobile customer for more than 30 years and said he had been assured beforehand at a T-Mobile store that he would be “covered” while overseas.

At first, Remund said his eyes deceived him, as he thought the bill was for $143.

He said he got in touch with a representative, who assured him the bill was correct. At that point, he turned to legal help.

T-Mobile ended up crediting him for the account.

The Federal Communications Commission encourages people to know the details of their cellular plan coverage before they go on international trips, including whether your mobile phone will work there, what the roaming rates are and how to track your usage.

T-Mobile similarly encouraged its customers to check the details of their plans before setting out, as some older plans don’t include international roaming.

“If you’re not on a Go5G, Magenta, ONE Plan, Essentials, or a Simple Choice plan and you’ll be traveling outside the U.S., you can add World Class International Roaming to each line,” T-Mobile said on its webpage devoted to explaining its international roaming services . Customers can do this by managing their plan .

Other options include blocking international data and having a prepaid plan while overseas.

Copyright 2024 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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