travel project for middle school

Project-Based Learning

travel project for middle school

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Project Based Learning Idea: Plan a Road Trip

project basedlearning ideas for middle school plan a road trip

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Project based learning is a great way to expose students to real world problems and activities. PBL activities engage them in learning skills and problem solving in a way that traditional class activities don’t. If you’ve never tried a PBL project, you will love it, AND your students will ask for more! These project based learning ideas for middle school and elementary students are just what you need to get started.

travel project for middle school

Who doesn’t love an epic road trip? Road trips are filled with memories, fun, adventure, and excitement.  But planning a road trip is anything but easy. There are so many amazing math, reading, writing, map reading and problem solving skills involved in a road trip that it is the perfect task for a fun project based learning activity.

Plan a Road Trip Project

travel project for middle school

This project based learning activity  will have your students planning a road trip from start to finish.  Students can work independently or in small groups as they work through this PBL project. Although working in small groups can sometimes be more difficult, it also gives students opportunities to develop communication skills and inter-personal problem solving skills.

A great way to introduce this project is to show kids a variety of print or video commercials for vacation destinations. Show pictures from a personal road trip that you’ve taken. You can even ask your students to talk about road trips they have taken with their families or friends. Once the class is excited about the topic, it’s time to let them get started

The  Plan a Road Trip PBL Project  has everything you need to get you class started. Just choose the activities from the packet you want your students to complete. Start with the planning pages included in the project. You can then do all of the activities or choose the ones that best meet your own learning objectives.

This resource includes a variety of printable activity pages and 3 final projects – more than enough for a great PBL unit. You can choose to have the students complete one final activity at the end, or weave them into the project so they ultimately complete all three projects.

travel project for middle school

1. Choose a Destination

travel project for middle school

Students start by choosing 4 possible destinations for their road trip. After doing some basic research on each location they then narrow down their options to one final destination.

Let your students determine whether they will visit one place or make a loop from start to finish in order to see multiple locations, or whether to travel near or far. For older students, a great way to add a new level of complexity to the project is to give them an overall road trip budget.

After students choose their destination, you could add in project #1, Mapping the Route. This would be a great place to have students create a map of the road trip with labeled states and destinations!

2. Prepare for the Road Trip

travel project for middle school

Choosing the destination is just the start! Students will then work on planning their road trip. In this planning phase they will be working on activities like:

  • The Packing List
  • Must-See Spots
  • Places to Stay
  • Distance Traveled
  • Time and Money on the Road
  • So Much More!

As students research and complete the pages, they use many different problem-solving skills, while strengthening their reading, writing, and math skills. As you can see there is no academic skill loss in this project!

Students will document their amazing  road trip project  by creating their own road trip selfies, music play list and more.  They will send postcards to their friends from one or more locations and they can even design a billboard for one of the tourist attractions they visit.

3. A Virtual Road Trip

travel project for middle school

Once back home from their virtual road trip students will spend some time reminiscing!  They will love writing about their favorite places and activities along the way. This is the perfect place for project #3 – An Amazing Destination. In this persuasive writing activity, students write about their destination in an attempt to get others to visit it too!

Finish up with your very own Travel TV Show where students present their road trips to the class.  A fun way to end is to let students vote on where they want to go next based on their classmates presentations!

4. The Final Projects

travel project for middle school

Once students have completed the planning pages, it’s time to assign one (or all) of the three final projects! You can choose any or all of these final projects. And yes, the scoring rubrics are included!

Final Road Trip Project Options:

  • Mapping the Route
  • Create a Destination Brochure
  • An Amazing Destination Paragraph Writing

Once back home from their virtual road trip students will spend some time reminiscing!  They will love writing about their favorite places and activities along the way.  This is the perfect place for project #3 – An Amazing Destination.  This persuasive writing activity has students write about their road trip or one destination in an attempt to get others to visit it too!

Ready to get started?

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If you need more ideas on  how to use project based learning in your classroom, check out this blog post filled with ideas .

Are you a parent or family getting ready to go on an actual road trip? Check out this great list of  30 Road Trip Trivia Games  by Outdoorish.com!

SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER

travel project for middle school

If you are not quite ready for this fun and engaging project, then pin it to your favorite classroom Pinterest board so you can find it quickly when you are ready!

travel project for middle school

Shelly Rees

Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.

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Social Studies Aloft

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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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  • Getting started with inquiry in middle school social studies

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Welcome! I'm Anne. Thank you for visiting Social Studies Aloft. This site is dedicated to providing ideas, resources, and inspiration for inquiry-based Middle School Social Studies classrooms like yours.

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Layers of Learning

Family-Style Homeschooling

travel project for middle school

Make Your Own Travel Brochure For Any Country

This exploration is for all ages, as the colored smilies show. You can make travel brochures about all sorts of places with your whole family together!

travel project for middle school

These printable travel brochures are part of a geography exploration that is featured in several of the Layers of Learning units. The first time you are introduced is in People & Planet: Maps & Globes , the very first geography unit , but they are also used in many other geography units. Layers of Learning has hands-on experiments, explorations, and fun printables in every unit of this family-friendly curriculum. Learn more about Layers of Learning .

Travel brochures are a great way for kids to record information about beautiful places around the world.  With the internet, it’s really easy to find travel information, but it’s still more fun to search it out in a library book, and it’s even more fun still to go find a travel agency.  They have lots of free full-color brochures and cool insider information.  And when you make your own travel brochure, you’re sure to remember all those fun facts you learn as you put them in one place.

Step 1: Library Research

Before you begin exploring, read a book or two about the place you are learning about. Atlases or geography books containing all the countries of the world are a great starting place, and you can also search for books about the specific continent, country, state, province, region, or landmark you are focusing on from your library. Here are some suggestions for books we really like. The colored smilies above each book tell you what age level they’re recommended for.

As Amazon affiliates, the recommended books and products below kick back a tiny percentage of your purchase to us. It doesn’t affect your cost and it helps us run our website. We thank you!

Geography of the World

Countries of the world.

travel project for middle school

The Travel Book

by Lonely Planet

travel project for middle school

Step 2: Travel Brochure

All you need to make this is the free printable travel brochure and any art supplies you want to use. You can print pictures from online, cut some out of brochures you got from a travel agency, or draw your own.

Travel Brochure

Kids can choose a place, find out all about it, and then create their own travel brochure describing what it’s like, the fun things to do there, and why they would choose it for a destination spot.  There are also blanks for drawing or cutting and gluing pictures of their vacation spot. 

Step 3: Show What You Know

Everyone can show off and share their destinations and brochures with each other. You can even make a few copies of your work and distribute them to the members of your family.

Additional Layers

Additional Layers are extra activities you can do or tangents you can take off on. You will find them in the sidebars of each Layers of Learning unit . They are optional, so just choose what interests you.

Writer’s Workshop

If you want to get really creative you could even use it as a history activity.  (Imagine you were a European getting ready to travel to America for the first time during its colonization.  Maybe you’re a knight heading to the Holy Land for a crusade.  Perhaps you’d like to visit the Egyptian pyramids during their construction phase.)  Pick a time period and a place and you’ve got a history activity as well.

Additional Layer

Make a map of your destination to go along with your brochure. You can draw the map on the back side of the brochure so it is double-sided.

Video a travel commercial to accompany your brochure. Use it to convince others to travel to the destination on vacation. How convincing can you be?

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You can unsubscribe any time.

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12 thoughts on “Make Your Own Travel Brochure For Any Country”

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Just used this for my 6th grade world cultures class. You rock!

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I am a special ed teacher and this fits perfectly into my I Love NY unit, What else do you have that works so well in my classroom

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The link on the post is working perfectly, so you can just link on the picture and it will take you right to the printable pdf. All the best, Karen

It should be in your inbox. We fixed the link too. Thanks!

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Hello , I love the printable and would like for you to send me the Lind to the newspaper link and the brochure. I teach 5th grade and I can use them . Thanks soooo much!!!!

Kimberly, You can get the printable by clicking on the text link or by clicking on the image of the printable. Here is the direct link to this printable brochure: https://layers-of-learning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Travel-Brochure-Printable.pdf

Check your inbox!

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just found this and cant wait to use it tomorrow for my World History class!! It is going to be a travel brochure for wither Sparta or Athens!

Sounds cool! Glad we could help. And thanks for being an awesome teacher.

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The paper you made was awesome! I don’t really know what to do in the explaining part below the travel brochure to ____ ( picture ) then the lines. Would you please explain?

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You just draw pictures of some place in the world and then write interesting things about it. The blank lines can be filled with anything you like. The purpose is to get your kids researching and excited about places around the world while practicing researching and writing skills.

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20 Activities for the Travel-Curious Classroom

A list of culture-boosting activities for a classroom or travel club.

20 Activities for the travel-curious classroom

You’ve assigned the translation worksheets and the what-did-you-do-over-holiday-break essays. And it’s great because you’ve got them thinking about life in other parts of the world. But what’s next? If you’re like us at EF Tours , you’re constantly on the hunt for ways to bring students closer to the world at large. That’s why we thought a list of culture-boosting activities could be really helpful in a classroom, or for a travel club.

Grab a copy of the EF Journal

We hear great stories, tips, and insights from within our community of travelers, educators, and wanderers nearly every day. So, we’re sharing them with the world: cue the EF Journal . Within its pages, you can find fresh perspectives, fun activities, discussion topics, and more .

Do a Google Earth scavenger hunt

Exploring the world can start in the classroom. Find the coordinates for the world’s greatest wonders and hidden gems, then task your students with finding them on Google Earth , a free resource by Google that allows users to explore the world via satellite imagery. You can spice it up by including initial coordinates and some directions (move two blocks and then take a right), then asking them to describe the exciting new place they’ve discovered.

Host a music video watch party

Music aficionados, rejoice! Bring your favorite foreign language music videos, crowdsource some from your group, and have a music video marathon. Bonus points if your video includes elaborate dance routines  to practice.

Lead a lesson on body language from around the world

We all know that different parts of the world speak different languages . But what we might forget is that the body language and gestures we use each day may have different meanings when we’re abroad, and vice versa. With a quick Google search , you can find out how body language is used around the world—and practice nonverbal communication with your students.

Play geography trivia

Play into your students’ competitive spirit with a little travel trivia—find some questions online, or make some of your own. Either way, a little competition never hurt anyone, right?

Hold an international flavor taste-test

Seaweed potato chips. Green Tea Kit Kats. Melon Fanta. The world is wide and the combinations of national treasures with unique international flavors are endless. Lucky for your students, many of these oddball flavors can be ordered online . Just get a unique assortment of flavored snacks and test them out—Oreos are a good place to start since they come in a variety of flavors, they’re low-cost and easy to order online, and frankly, universally loved.

Try a suitcase challenge

Put your packing  skills to the test. Tightly pack a suitcase with funny items, then time your students on how quickly they can unpack and then re-pack it themselves. To keep it interesting, keep a scoreboard or play for small prizes.

Have a Carnival celebration

Carnival: It’s feathers, not Ferris wheels; costumes, not corn dogs; brass bands, not bumpy rides. It’s an annual festival of dancing, masks, and parades that is celebrated in over 20 countries around the world, including Brazil , Italy, and Jamaica—and now in your classroom. Explore the importance of Carnival in various regions and maybe have celebration of your own.

Need more ideas? Here are a few to get you started.

  • Do a local photography challenge
  • Have a souvenir show and tell
  • Lead an origami lesson
  • Take a group cooking class
  • Watch a foreign language TV show
  • Try a local foreign restaurant
  • Pair up with pen pals
  • Explore the Guggenheim, virtually  
  • Create travel bucket lists
  • Have a Chinese New Year celebration
  • Watch a themed documentary as a group
  • Hold a Día de los Muertos celebration

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6 Free Resources for Virtual Field Trips

Teachers can use panoramic photos and videos of locations all around the world to make lessons more engaging.

Teacher projects an image of the Louvre museum

How can you take students around the world without moving very far? If you haven’t yet, it’s worth trying virtual field trips and excursions. Now more than ever, these resources allow students to experience spaces they might not otherwise get to see, and there are many ways to introduce them to students as they explore a topic.

Virtual field trips can help students explore a new space, build vocabulary and background knowledge, and expand their world view. Whether you want to explore the setting of a novel, introduce a place-based math problem, or make connections to current events, virtual field trips can expand upon traditional lessons in many ways. One of the reasons I love them so much is that they allow students to view a space that piques their curiosity and provides context for their learning.

The term virtual field trip can be used to describe not just 360 degree photos and videos but also the live interactions and video conferences you might set up with a subject matter expert like an author or museum docent. Flipgrid (one of my favorite tools) hosts a handful of these types of virtual field trips .

6 Ways to Set Up Virtual Field Trips

The list of free virtual field trip resources here is adapted from my ISTE Live presentation in December 2020. Students can access these resources without logging into a new website—teachers can post the link to a 360 degree panoramic image or interactive experience in a platform students already use, making it easy for them to access in both traditional classroom settings and at home.

1. AirPano : This site includes 360 degree videos and images from around the world. You aren’t required to create an account—you can just jump in and start searching. When you’re ready to share with students, there is a link you can copy and paste or an embed option if you’re adding a widget to a site of resources. If you’re looking for international locations, AirPano is a great choice for exploring outdoor spaces, including Machu Picchu in the daytime, or the northern lights at night.

2. Google Maps Treks : In combination with Google Maps and Earth, Treks organizes content in an easy-to-navigate way. There are Treks for places around the globe, including the U.S. and Canada, Egypt, Nepal, and India. Each one has information and videos for students to explore.

3. National Geographic : National Geographic’s YouTube channel transports students all over the world to learn about different cultures, foods, animals, and more. Have students press play on the video, and as the video begins, they can use their cursor or trackpad to spin the video in different directions. They can tap on one part of the screen to move the video back and forth as they learn about a new place.

4. Nearpod : Known as an interactive presentation tool, Nearpod has virtual reality content built into its platform in the form of 360 degree panoramic views, which can be used as a great pre-reading strategy to introduce a new book or spark discussion about a social studies or science topic. To use these interactive experiences with your students, insert them into any Nearpod lesson in the same way you would add a slide or poll. (Please note: Nearpod also offers a paid plan with additional amenities.)

5. 360Cities : This collection of stock 360 degree images has lots of user-uploaded resources. There is a special school version that allows you to introduce students to more dynamic learning experiences; it has features such as a guided tour creator.

6. Google Arts and Culture :  This tool has a variety of high-quality content, including interactive views that let students walk through notable spaces such as museums and explore examples of beautiful architecture like the Alhambra in Spain. You can let students know that this resource is mobile-responsive in addition to working on a web browser—they can access the content on a smartphone or tablet, or their Chromebook or laptop.

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Get out into the field and on expedition around the globe, all through the lens of an On Assignment project. Each trip offers a choice of two areas of focus, such as photography, climate and geology, or wildlife conservation. Pursue your selected project with guidance from your knowledgeable trip leaders and a National Geographic Explorer, and learn through interactive activities and excursions; then share what you’ve created with the group and your community back home.

University Workshops

From your base at MIT, delve into issues impacting the future of our world, and examine solutions offered by engineering, technology, AI, and robotics. Participate in stimulating seminars and interactive workshops, and meet National Geographic Explorers to hear about their innovative work in our areas of focus. Develop a capstone project to address an issue you’ve encountered, and pitch your idea to your group and leaders.

Photography Workshops

Photo workshops are an opportunity for students to become better photographers, editors, and storytellers. From a campus base in an iconic location, students have the opportunity, both inside and out of the classroom, to work with your camera and editing software. A National Geographic Explorer and photographer joins the group for the entire duration of the workshop, helping students master their cameras, create engaging images, and become better editors of their own work. Each day, students learn important skills and lessons in the classroom and apply them in some of the world’s most photogenic places. Students will organize, curate, and install a pop up gallery show featuring their original images, an event to which friends and family are invited.

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Our highly structured middle school programs allow students to discover exciting destinations in a fun, engaging, and safe environment. With guidance from trip leaders and a National Geographic Explorer, students explore multiple themes that enhance their experience and encourage them to deepen the interests they already have, while discovering new ones along their journey.

Interested in adult travel opportunities? Click here to explore trips with National Geographic Expeditions .

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Project-Based Learning for Middle School: Your Tourist Guide

Project-based learning for middle school: your tourist guide presentation, free google slides theme and powerpoint template.

You had a great idea and it was to assign a project to your middle school students to create their own tourist guide, and we have the perfect template for you to present them this new challenge in the best way. Download this presentation with beautiful illustrations and sans serif typography that gives a casual touch to the design, and discover the structure you need to explain the theory, the features of the project, some tips and all the information your students need to do an amazing job.

Features of this template

  • 100% editable and easy to modify
  • 35 different slides to impress your audience
  • Contains easy-to-edit graphics such as graphs, maps, tables, timelines and mockups
  • Includes 500+ icons and Flaticon’s extension for customizing your slides
  • Designed to be used in Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint
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  • Includes information about fonts, colors, and credits of the resources used

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  • Family History
  • Travel Plan Project

You can use a travel plan project in the classroom to learn about budgets, maps, time management, and more.

By Chris Jackson

Travel Plan Project

As teachers, we try to make school work challenging and provide real-world applications for what students are learning. Social studies curriculum provides a great opportunity to do this. Teachers cover geography , economics , and much more. Since we all know that the best way to learn is through doing, creating a travel plan can help students apply these types of skills to their everyday lives. They can explore new places as well.

Having students create a travel plan (with a clearly defined rubric) is an excellent way to spark their imaginations and get them excited about what they are learning. If students have the motivation to learn about geography, climate, or cost of living of an area, we can satisfy the state and federal mandates in a way students will enjoy.

When students begin designing their travel plans, have them start by thinking of their dream vacation. Let them determine where they would like to travel and how they want to get there. The variables that can be included can be endless. You might want students to have a budget, and plan their trip accordingly. Perhaps you would prefer to assign students different amounts of cash to spend. The possibilities are sure to ignite students in discussion and maintain interest. Imagine what your students will be open to learning if you tell them they can plan the trip using $500,000 and a Ferrari. 

This is more than just a “dream assignment” filled with fun hypothetical adventures, however. Students should begin by calculating the gas mileage for their “road trips,” charting the geography as they navigate their vehicles (planes, trains, automobiles, boats, etc . . .), and account for seasonal weather conditions and changing political climates across the world. Like anything that is involved and highly interactive, teachers should plan extensively before beginning the project and correlate their rubric to align with however many days will be spent on the assignment. Necessary background information will also have to be provided before you allow students to jump right in. 

The great thing about using a travel plan project in the classroom is how versatile it can be. With appropriate scaffolding, teachers can use a travel plan to address standards and curriculum in any grade level and subject. Schools that have teachers working together in a “team” setting in which English, social studies, and math teachers work closely together with the same students, could plan a group project in which students work on each subject area’s respective portions in that designated class (ie: calculating gas mileage is done in math, analyzing geographic change in social studies, creating a travel brochure for English, etc). 

The possibilities are truly endless for sparking student interest in a variety of topics. Students have to make a variety of decisions based on economics. They have to figure out how much gas costs and decide which car to purchase based upon their finding. It’s not going to get much more “real world” than that. Students are able to have fun with the project as well. 

Students can design posters, travel brochures, reports, models, diary entries, postcards, and so much more. The literary bent of the project can be graded based on the six traits of writing and writer’s workshop can be utilized to provide feedback and monitor student progress. Competitive elements can also be introduced and the project could turn into a game. 

The benefits of adding a travel plan project into your curriculum are many. All levels of Bloom’s taxonomy are touched upon extensively, instruction is definitely differentiated, multiple intelligences are incorporated, and student engagement is high. Both students and parents alike will rave about how wonderful a successful travel plan was. The knowledge learned is something that will be remembered and useful for years to come! Here are more activities you can do to spark the interest of students to create a travel plan.

Travel Plan Lessons and Activities:

The Art of Budgeting

Students learn how to set up and maintain a budget.

Time Management

Students create a time management plan for themselves, and critique others to get the maximum amount out of their time.

Travel Album

Students create a class travel album of places they have been. This could spark an interest in new places.

The Amazing Race

Students use road maps to find more clues and get to different destinations much like the TV show The Amazing Race.

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travel project for middle school

Individual Student Expeditions

Travel solo, but not alone. EPI runs Individual Student Travel Programs for middle school, high school, and college students. You'll travel to some of the world's most incredible field sites, work with endangered wildlife and renowned scientists, and meet like-minded peers that care about the future of the planet. Check out our destinations below.

Sea Turtle Ecology

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Sea Turtle Ecology

Study an endangered reptile with a 100-million-year history. Protect critical ecosystems. Walk beneath lush rainforest canopies and learn about the immense biodiversity of tropical flora and fauna. Exchange ideas about life, science, and our shared world with Costa Rican students.

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Felines & Primates

Explore the rainforest at Pacuare Reserve, home to howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and white-faced capuchins. Track jaguars. Set camera traps. Learn how to protect these critical ecosystems, and end the course by rafting one of Costa Rica's beautiful rivers.

Tropical Ecology

Tropical Ecology

From the incredible diversity of inland rainforests to the swaying seagrass beds of the Caribbean, Belize is a country of profound beauty. Conduct research in the Maya Mountains and help protect the fascinating marine life of the Belize Barrier Reef.

Winter Ecology

Yellowstone

Winter Ecology

Winter in Yellowstone is a dynamic and thrilling season. Bison crowd around thermal pools while the park's predators prepare winter strategies. Join EPI and a group of other passionate students to assist with wildlife research in the field while observing and learning about the intricacies of this nearly intact ecosystem.

Wildlife Ecology

Wildlife Ecology

With rugged mountain vistas, steaming thermal features, and iconic species like bison and wolves, Yellowstone National Park is brimming with ecological wonders. You’ll get up close with many of them as you collect data alongside park and national forest scientists.

Island Ecology

Galapagos Islands

Island Ecology

There's no better laboratory for conservation biology field studies than the Galapagos Islands. From the waters teeming with species found only here, to the highlands inhabited by giant tortoises, you'll work to understand and protect this fragile ecosystem.

Marine Science

Baja, Mexico

Marine Science

Join EPI and a group of other students at the world’s aquarium for the adventure of a lifetime. Spend your days and nights surrounded by sky-blue waters and red rocks as you collect data on the incredible marine life that call this ecosystem home.

Whale Ecology

Whale Ecology

The waters of Baja, Mexico are home to more than a third of the world's marine mammals. Travel to the Gulf of California to study one of the most charismatic—the grey whale. Work with researchers to gather important baseline data about the whales in the area and help establish a photo-ID database.

Study Abroad

Discover your independence.

What's it like to travel on EPI's field ecology programs? Follow Tyler as he works with wildlife, helps out scientists, and discovers a new sense of independence.

travel project for middle school

travel project for middle school

Be a Traveler, Not a Tourist

Meaningful and authentic teen travel. explore our 2024 programs..

travel project for middle school

Language Immersion

travel project for middle school

Community Service

travel project for middle school

Cultural Exploration

travel project for middle school

Photography Workshops

travel project for middle school

For Older Teens

travel project for middle school

For Middle School

Authentic travel.

We are committed to our mission of inspiring youth and providing transformative travel experiences. We use a hands-on approach to discover what it means to live like a local in each destination. Our programs instill a love for travel, hunger for learning, and genuine curiosity about different cultures.

Ditch the tour bus and have a real traveler’s experience with us this summer!

Ready for an authentic teen travel experience?

Choose from 46 countries to explore.

Canada Adventure

Featured Programs

Thrill Walk

Ultimate European Explorer

  • Jun 29 - Jul 23 Available

Current Grades

Program length.

turtle snorkel

Hawaii Sea Turtle Service & Adventure

  • Jun 29 - Jul 9 Limited
  • Jul 10 - Jul 20 Limited
  • Jul 21 - Jul 31 Available
  • Aug 1 - Aug 11 Available
  • Jun 19 - Jun 29 Available

9, 10, 11, 12

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Europe for Middle School: Greece, Italy & the Islands

  • Jul 11 - Aug 4 Very-limited

Teenage travelers explore Amsterdam on summer travel program in Europe

Europe for Older Teens: Amsterdam, Munich, Swiss Alps & Venice

  • Jun 29 - Jul 11 Very-limited
  • Jul 3 - Jul 15 Available
  • Jul 23 - Aug 4 Limited

Teen enjoys surfing in Costa Rica on summer student travel program.

Costa Rica for Older Teens: Adrenaline

  • Jul 10 - Jul 20 Available

Teens enjoy the beach in Costa Rica on their summer travel tour.

Costa Rica for Middle School: Adrenaline

  • Jul 21 - Jul 31 Very-limited

Teen poses in front of a traditional temple in Japan during their summer high school program.

Japan Discovery & Service

  • Jun 25 - Jul 11 Limited
  • Jun 29 - Jul 15 Very-limited
  • Jul 11 - Jul 27 Limited
  • Jul 27 - Aug 12 Very-limited

High School boy on Thailand Teen Tour

Thailand Elephant Service & the Islands

  • Jun 25 - Jul 11 Full
  • Jul 27 - Aug 12 Available

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Canada for Middle School

Canada-for-Younger-Teens

Canada Adventure

  • Jun 29 - Jul 9 Available

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South Korea Discovery & Service

  • Jul 15 - Jul 31 Available

Teen Boy In Santorini

Greece, Italy & the Islands

  • Jul 11 - Aug 4 Available

summer camp

Peru Service

  • Jul 10 - Jul 20 Full

An excited teen celebrates atop Machu Picchu on her summer adventure tour of Peru.

Peru, Ecuador, & the Galápagos Service

  • Jun 29 - Jul 19 Very-limited

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Bali: Healthcare Education & Medical Outreach

  • Jul 21 - Aug 6 Available

Dancing Lesson Greece

Greece Island Hopping Summer Break for College Students

  • Jun 18 - Jun 28 Available

Ireland Student Travel

Europe for Middle School: Sláinte Ireland

  • Jul 29 - Aug 8 Limited

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Scotland & Ireland Adventure

  • Jul 27 - Aug 8 Available

Students help baby sea turtles to the water on their summer service program in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Sea Turtle Service & Adventure

  • Aug 1 - Aug 11 Contact-for-details

costa rica animal rescue

Costa Rica Wildlife Rescue & Service

  • Jul 21 - Jul 31 Limited

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Tanzania Service & Safari

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Barcelona & Paris

  • Jun 23 - Jul 3 Available
  • Jul 15 - Jul 25 Full
  • Jul 27 - Aug 6 Available

buddiesinflorence

Europe for Older Teens: Ultimate European Explorer

  • Jun 21 - Jul 15 Full

Students watch a sloth climb through the trees on their summer service program in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Animal Rescue Service

  • Jun 29 - Jul 19 Limited
  • Jul 21 - Aug 10 Very-limited

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Europe for Older Teens: Berlin, Krakow, Vienna & Budapest

  • Jul 15 - Jul 27 Limited

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Greece: Athens & the Islands

  • Jun 21 - Jul 3 Limited
  • Jun 29 - Jul 11 Limited
  • Jul 3 - Jul 15 Full
  • Jul 11 - Jul 23 Limited

Browse Our Teen Travel Programs by Grade

Explore our programs by grade and find the perfect unforgettable trip.

7th & 8th Grade Programs

9th & 10th Grade Programs

11th & 12th Grade Programs

College Programs

Why TFT is the best in youth travel

Local experiences.

Our mission is authentic travel. We partner with local experts to create enriching experiences that teach teens to be savvy travelers. Every program is designed to be hands-on—emphasizing doing and feeling, in addition to just seeing, so teens discover what it means to live like a local in every country we visit.

Small and Diverse

Group sizes of 16-24 students allow us to travel comfortably and to make real connections to each other and the host community. Participants come from a mix of different states, regions, and countries. We also welcome solo travelers — 75% of our teens join us without a friend!

Transformative Teen Travel

Travel isn’t just about new places; it’s about new perspectives. We encourage teens to step outside their comfort zone and into cultural immersion. They leave our programs with a better understanding of the world and with the confidence to keep exploring!

The Most Variety

We offer more programs in more destinations than any other teen travel company. With over 100 programs and 40+ countries to choose from, you’re sure to find a program that’s the perfect fit.

Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.

travel project for middle school

Authenticity is ingrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.

Check out what past travelers have to say about TFT and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.

"Finding your program was a gift! It is the BEST opportunity out there for children to travel the world with like-minded peers & reasonable responsible and fun-loving young adults who want to go and explore these incredible cultures and countries. I appreciated how clear you made it that kids can come without friends and a willingness to make new friends. The trip had it all… adventure, history, independence, amazing people, great food, and beautiful lodging all while keeping mom and dad at home informed and feeling like all is well with their child as they grow and experience this incredible gift of grace. I am very grateful for you all and the HUGE team that makes this program work so smoothly. Thank you tons and tons. Travel on and keep up the great work!!!" Parent Europe for Older Teens: Prague, Austria, Slovenia & Croatia
"This is simply one of the best things we ever did for Ethan. That first trip opened him to a new world. Different cultures, food, diversity, sights, relationships, team building, confidence, independence...only a few of the positive gains for Ethan. Now, he is off to George Washington University with confidence, excitement, and an awareness for others for which we are so grateful. We are pleased and appreciative beyond words to be a member of the TFT family for a lifetime!" Diana S. Paoli, PA
"Thank you for giving Kat such a great experience. She had a wonderful time. You guys are terrific. The great parental bonus -- and I'm sure you hear this all the time -- is the photographs and the daily email. We get to see what the kids are seeing and we get to see the group and we get to see our teen. What could be better? Viewing the pictures became our evening ritual: out on the deck overlooking suburbia, sipping cold drinks, and oohing and ahhing over the photos, feeling almost like we were there. I'm sure you're awash in praise like this -- as you should be. Kat had such an enriching trip. Thank you very much! With any luck she'll be back next summer." Tom and Madora K. Old Lyme, CT
"I have traveled with TFT for four summers now, exploring Costa Rica, Croatia, Fiji and Greece. These trips have been the highlight of my summers. They have broadened my horizons and strengthened my confidence. Going on these trips and meeting new people changed how I view the world. I love having conversations with locals and people I meet along the way. The small TFT groups and the knowledgeable and enthusiastic group leaders make for a fun and eye-opening experience. What sets TFT apart is that we immerse ourselves in the culture and we are not just tourists. We meet locals, hear stories about their lives, and it is truly invigorating. Travel For Teens has given me so much more than fun memories over the summer. They have given me the ability to be comfortable talking to anyone, being in new places, having a widened perspective on other cultures, and to be independent. On my Costa Rica and Fiji trips, we volunteered with school children. In a very short time we made deep connections that I will always cherish. I feel so fortunate to have had my eyes opened through TFT to so many beautiful places and memorable people." Anna F. Basking Ridge, NJ

Unforgettable Adventures Off the Beaten Path

travel project for middle school

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Sign up for our special travel newsletter and be notified about exclusive discounts, new trips, and other announcements. Stay in the know.

COMMENTS

  1. 45 Project-Based Learning Ideas for Educational Travel Experiences

    Create a short movie that summarizes your trip. Produce it as if it were a promotion for your school or homeschool. Or produce it as a campaign that encourages parents, educators, and students to embrace travel as a learning tool. 30. Documentary: Students make mini-documentaries on their travel experience.

  2. Project Based Learning Idea: Plan a Road Trip

    This project based learning activity will have your students planning a road trip from start to finish.Students can work independently or in small groups as they work through this PBL project. Although working in small groups can sometimes be more difficult, it also gives students opportunities to develop communication skills and inter-personal problem solving skills.

  3. Road Trip Project for middle school

    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.

  4. 6 Travel Brochure Project Panel Ideas

    COVER PANEL. The overall objective of the project is for students to create a historical travel brochure that entices others to visit a time and place in history. The cover panel should reflect this objective. Students will need to: Add a brochure title. Draw (or insert) a cover picture. Write one sentence that encourages people to visit the ...

  5. Make Your Own Travel Brochure For Any Country

    Step 2: Travel Brochure. All you need to make this is the free printable travel brochure and any art supplies you want to use. You can print pictures from online, cut some out of brochures you got from a travel agency, or draw your own. This free printable travel brochure can be used for any country, state, province, region, city, or landmark ...

  6. 20 Activities for the Travel-Curious Classroom

    Lead an origami lesson. Take a group cooking class. Watch a foreign language TV show. Try a local foreign restaurant. Pair up with pen pals. Explore the Guggenheim, virtually. Create travel bucket lists. Have a Chinese New Year celebration. Watch a themed documentary as a group.

  7. 6 Free Resources for Virtual Field Trips

    6. Google Arts and Culture: This tool has a variety of high-quality content, including interactive views that let students walk through notable spaces such as museums and explore examples of beautiful architecture like the Alhambra in Spain. You can let students know that this resource is mobile-responsive in addition to working on a web ...

  8. Step-By-Step Guide to Student-Planned Educational Travel Adventures

    They will refine their itinerary; book tours, lodging, car rental if needed, etc; complete pre-trip projects; create project proposals for on-site trip projects; and connect with trip experts. Even if educational travel isn't a reality at your school, consider assigning students to plan a theoretical school trip. The skills and knowledge that ...

  9. Middle School, Space Exploration Projects, Lessons, Activities

    Build a Solar-Powered Car for the Junior Solar Sprint. Finding Pi Using Everyday Objects. Exciting science projects including rockets, satellites, re-entry, rovers, orbital mechanics, humans in space, and the space economy. Discover the perfect middle school science experiment in this huge collection of age-appropriate science investigations.

  10. All Programs

    Our summer programs for high school and middle school students immerse you in destinations around the globe, engaging with the world as a thoughtful explorer. No matter which trip you choose, you'll travel with a purpose. Interactive projects — such as learning about cutting-edge technology being used to combat climate change, researching ...

  11. Program Types

    Each trip offers a choice of two areas of focus, such as photography, climate and geology, or wildlife conservation. Pursue your selected project with guidance from your knowledgeable trip leaders and a National Geographic Explorer, and learn through interactive activities and excursions; then share what you've created with the group and your ...

  12. Project-Based Learning for Middle School: Your Tourist Guide

    Project-Based Learning for Middle School: Your Tourist Guide Presentation . Education . Free Google Slides theme and PowerPoint template . You had a great idea and it was to assign a project to your middle school students to create their own tourist guide, and we have the perfect template for you to present them this new challenge in the best ...

  13. Travel Plan Project

    The benefits of adding a travel plan project into your curriculum are many. All levels of Bloom's taxonomy are touched upon extensively, instruction is definitely differentiated, multiple intelligences are incorporated, and student engagement is high. Both students and parents alike will rave about how wonderful a successful travel plan was.

  14. PDF The Vacation of a Lifetime Lesson Plan 1.15.6

    Hand out the Vacation of a Lifetime Budget worksheet 1.15.6.A1. a. Students will document the results of their research for the required elements on the budget worksheet. 5. Tell the students they will be creating a PowerPoint presentation based on the vacation research to present to the class. a.

  15. Individual Student Travel

    EPI runs Individual Student Travel Programs for middle school, high school, and college students. You'll travel to some of the world's most incredible field sites, work with endangered wildlife and renowned scientists, and meet like-minded peers that care about the future of the planet. ... Ecology Project International 315 S. 4th Street E ...

  16. Middle School Programs

    Join Putney Student Travel on a middle school summer program, and immerse yourself in language learning, service, or cultural exploration. Students in grades six, seven, and eight are uniquely poised for group travel experiences that offer plenty of support and structure, yet don't stifle their emerging independence: It's an ideal age for a student to begin to develop an interest in ...

  17. Travel For Teens: Safe Tours for Middle & High School Travelers

    Our 2024 summer travel trip experiences transform teens into travelers. Book a tour with Travel For Teens this summer for a safe & happy teen traveler! Find a Program; ... Costa Rica for Middle School: Adrenaline Cultural Exploration, For Middle School, Outdoor Adventure, Popular Tours. Dates. Jul 21 - Jul 31 Very-limited; Aug 1 - Aug 11 ...

  18. Educational Tours for Middle School Students

    Accredited like a school. Learning outside the classroom is crucial, and that's why WorldStrides is accredited by the same educational bodies across North America and Canada that accredit K-12 schools. It allows us to offer students high school and college preparatory credit, and teachers free professional development.

  19. PDF TRAVEL BROCHURE PROJECT

    To Set Up Tri-Fold Brochure Using MS Word: Click on "File". Go down to "Page Set up". Go over to the "Paper Size tab". In the "Orientation" box, switch to "Landscape". Go back to the "Margins" tab and change the margins to: Top and bottom margins to .5. Left and right margins to .3.

  20. PDF TRAVEL BROCHURE PROJECT

    beginning, middle, and end. Almost all sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end. Most sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end. Less than half of the sections of the brochure have a clear beginning, middle and end. Content - Accuracy All facts in the brochure are accurate. 99 -90% of the facts

  21. Student travel programs

    We bottled some of this event's magic in our student Summit video recap. He gives the best guided tours of Spain —and he inspired his family to become local guides, too. Hundreds of destinations. Endless possibilities. EF Educational Tours offers student tours at the lowest prices guaranteed. Learn why teachers and parents choose EF for ...

  22. A Middle School Science Project Time Machine

    11 characters. Approximately ten minutes running time. Middle school students travel to a bleak future during the science fair. Fred and Dolly want to win a ribbon at the middle school science fair, so they built a time machine. When the students take a trip with their teacher into the future, they find humanity in danger and must now figure ...

  23. Travel Project

    A final one page paper will be written to summarize your project, as well as, your feeling about the project. Process & Resources Step 1: Use the Internet to gather information for your vacation plan. Some of the information can be saved on the computer, but other information might be easier to write down.