The following are some fun field trips that students should find engaging, informative, and have the potential to spark a larger conversation to expand learning and a provide a deeper understanding of knowledge.
Locations in and around Eugene:
1. Mt. Pisgha Arboretum: This is the longest running environmental education program of this kind in lane county. It is a 209 acre living tree museum with riverside trails, wildflower meadows, and a diverse abundance of wildlife. They provide nature guided tours for students K-5 and supplement with activities and games.
http://www.mountpisgaharboretum.com/education/
2. Oregon Air and Space Museum: This museum is a tribute to the aviation history of Oregon. They have displays of flight suits and gear, aircraft, piston and jet engines, extensive commercial airline displays, tributes to the fighting aces, and space timelines with models. They provide guided tours to students in groups of 10 or more.
http://www.oasm.info/index.php
3. The Museum of Natural and Cultural History: Located at the University of Oregon the museum explores 15,000 years of human history and 200 million years of geology. The exhibits are flexible and constantly changing however, the collections are constant. For example, there is a paleontology collection featuring fossils from all continents, an anthropology collection featuring archaeological holdings that span more than 14,000 years combined with global ethnographic objects, and a zoology collection that contains samples of modern Oregon animals since the late 1800's. The museum offers a variety of educational programs and events for students K-12, teachers, families, and community members. They conduct guided tours for parties of 6 or more that range from 45 to 60 minutes.
http://natural-history.uoregon.edu/
4. Cascades Raptor Center: This is a wildlife rehabilitation and education designated area. It is designed to rehabilitate injured raptors (birds of prey) that would otherwise perish in the wild. The facilitators of this program wish to educate humans and connect them with the importance of raptors in our community. The center is home to approximately 60 raptors ranging from temporary to permanent residents. They offer educational presentations on topics such as raptors, predation, prey, life cycles, and rehabilitation. There are also touchable artifacts for hands on learning that include talons, feathers, bones, wings, skulls, and nests. Staff guided private tours are available for parties of 6 or more.
http://eraptors.org/
5. Delta Ponds: Located behind the Valley River Center mall this 150 acre network of ponds, sloughs, waterways, and casual recreation area has been reclaimed from the devastation of deforestation and mining in the 1950's. This area is a major haven for wildlife and is home to a wide variety of species that include over 100 species of birds, numerous fish and aquatic species. For example, young salmon, steelhead, and the threatened Western Pond Turtle. It is also used as a nursery for the Canada Goose. There are activities such as birdwatching, wildlife viewing platforms, nature walks, wildflower identification, and nearby biking and running trails. It is free to the public and open all year.
http://www.eugeneoutdoors.com/delta-ponds-bird-watching-and-nature-walk/
6. Whitaker Fire Department: This fire department is unique in that it is an actual training center for firefighters. They encourage and provide community outreach by visiting schools and providing tours of the facility. There is a structure that they set on fire (not while students are present) and train on the techniques of putting out the flames. Students can also tour the station house and see the fire engines, ambulances, sleeping and eating areas for personnel, and equipment. They also provide specialized career tours for highschool students and a more in depth hands on women's camp.
http://www.eugene-or.gov/?nid=123
7. Fish Hatchery: The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Leaburg Hatchery was built in 1953 to mitigate for the loss of fishing opportunity because of the many dams on the Willamette Basin Rivers. The hatchery rears Rainbow Trout and Steelhead. They offer a viewing platform allowing visitors to see the spring spawning of Chinook Salmon. Earthen Japanese gardens provide viewing of Sturgeon, Chinook Salmon, Cutthroat, and Rainbow Trout. It is open to the public year round from dawn to dusk.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/visitors/leaburg_hatchery.asp
8. Water treatment plant:
9. Eugene Police Department:
10. Eugene Science Factory: The Eugene Science Factory: Childeren's Museum and Exploration Dome is a non-profit organization financially supported by local businesses, foundations, and individual members. The 10,000 square foot Museum was established in June of 2002 to give the children of Eugene and surrounding communities an opportunity to explore the world of science, technology, and humanity. They incorporate hands on interactive activities, exhibits, movies, and educational programs to enhance the learning experience of visitors. Visitors can tour the planetarium, computer lab, classroom, exhibit hall, and meeting space. Pre-scheduled field trips are available and there is a scholarship program to offset the financial burden of those who qualify.
http://www.sciencefactory.org/
Coastal locations:
11. Oregon Aquarium: This attraction is dedicated to marine education through ocean literacy and an active role in marine conservation and animal rehabilitation. There are many exhibits and outreach programs such as sandy shores, rocky shores, sea & me, passages of the deep, and feeding & encounter schedules. Students will be able to participate in hands on encounters that allow them to see, touch, hear, and talk about sea lifeforms like the Giant Pacific Octopus.
http://aquarium.org/visit
12. Marine Science Center:
Southern locations:
13. Wildlife Safari: This non-profit was established in 1972 as a wildlife refuge for a variety of species. They include species from Africa (lions, elephants, and giraffes), Asia (elephants and tigers), and The Americas (bears, elk, and buffalo). There are currently over 500 inhabitants of the refuge roaming freely in as close to their natural habitat as possible. Wildlife Safari is a 4.5 mile driving park and people are only allowed out of their vehicles in the designated village area. There is a petting zoo, gardens, restrooms, gift shop, and cafe. The park offers programs that include Holiday Day Camp where visitors can meet Hollywood animal celebrities, behind the scenes private tours and animal encounters (advanced registration required), guided tours, field trips, and outreach programs. These are all designed to promote education, awareness, and appreciation of all wildlife with a focus on the species present in the park.
http://www.wildlifesafari.net/cur/default.html
Locations in and around Eugene:
1. Mt. Pisgha Arboretum: This is the longest running environmental education program of this kind in lane county. It is a 209 acre living tree museum with riverside trails, wildflower meadows, and a diverse abundance of wildlife. They provide nature guided tours for students K-5 and supplement with activities and games.
http://www.mountpisgaharboretum.com/education/
2. Oregon Air and Space Museum: This museum is a tribute to the aviation history of Oregon. They have displays of flight suits and gear, aircraft, piston and jet engines, extensive commercial airline displays, tributes to the fighting aces, and space timelines with models. They provide guided tours to students in groups of 10 or more.
http://www.oasm.info/index.php
3. The Museum of Natural and Cultural History: Located at the University of Oregon the museum explores 15,000 years of human history and 200 million years of geology. The exhibits are flexible and constantly changing however, the collections are constant. For example, there is a paleontology collection featuring fossils from all continents, an anthropology collection featuring archaeological holdings that span more than 14,000 years combined with global ethnographic objects, and a zoology collection that contains samples of modern Oregon animals since the late 1800's. The museum offers a variety of educational programs and events for students K-12, teachers, families, and community members. They conduct guided tours for parties of 6 or more that range from 45 to 60 minutes.
http://natural-history.uoregon.edu/
4. Cascades Raptor Center: This is a wildlife rehabilitation and education designated area. It is designed to rehabilitate injured raptors (birds of prey) that would otherwise perish in the wild. The facilitators of this program wish to educate humans and connect them with the importance of raptors in our community. The center is home to approximately 60 raptors ranging from temporary to permanent residents. They offer educational presentations on topics such as raptors, predation, prey, life cycles, and rehabilitation. There are also touchable artifacts for hands on learning that include talons, feathers, bones, wings, skulls, and nests. Staff guided private tours are available for parties of 6 or more.
http://eraptors.org/
5. Delta Ponds: Located behind the Valley River Center mall this 150 acre network of ponds, sloughs, waterways, and casual recreation area has been reclaimed from the devastation of deforestation and mining in the 1950's. This area is a major haven for wildlife and is home to a wide variety of species that include over 100 species of birds, numerous fish and aquatic species. For example, young salmon, steelhead, and the threatened Western Pond Turtle. It is also used as a nursery for the Canada Goose. There are activities such as birdwatching, wildlife viewing platforms, nature walks, wildflower identification, and nearby biking and running trails. It is free to the public and open all year.
http://www.eugeneoutdoors.com/delta-ponds-bird-watching-and-nature-walk/
6. Whitaker Fire Department: This fire department is unique in that it is an actual training center for firefighters. They encourage and provide community outreach by visiting schools and providing tours of the facility. There is a structure that they set on fire (not while students are present) and train on the techniques of putting out the flames. Students can also tour the station house and see the fire engines, ambulances, sleeping and eating areas for personnel, and equipment. They also provide specialized career tours for highschool students and a more in depth hands on women's camp.
http://www.eugene-or.gov/?nid=123
7. Fish Hatchery: The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Leaburg Hatchery was built in 1953 to mitigate for the loss of fishing opportunity because of the many dams on the Willamette Basin Rivers. The hatchery rears Rainbow Trout and Steelhead. They offer a viewing platform allowing visitors to see the spring spawning of Chinook Salmon. Earthen Japanese gardens provide viewing of Sturgeon, Chinook Salmon, Cutthroat, and Rainbow Trout. It is open to the public year round from dawn to dusk.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/visitors/leaburg_hatchery.asp
8. Water treatment plant:
9. Eugene Police Department:
10. Eugene Science Factory: The Eugene Science Factory: Childeren's Museum and Exploration Dome is a non-profit organization financially supported by local businesses, foundations, and individual members. The 10,000 square foot Museum was established in June of 2002 to give the children of Eugene and surrounding communities an opportunity to explore the world of science, technology, and humanity. They incorporate hands on interactive activities, exhibits, movies, and educational programs to enhance the learning experience of visitors. Visitors can tour the planetarium, computer lab, classroom, exhibit hall, and meeting space. Pre-scheduled field trips are available and there is a scholarship program to offset the financial burden of those who qualify.
http://www.sciencefactory.org/
Coastal locations:
11. Oregon Aquarium: This attraction is dedicated to marine education through ocean literacy and an active role in marine conservation and animal rehabilitation. There are many exhibits and outreach programs such as sandy shores, rocky shores, sea & me, passages of the deep, and feeding & encounter schedules. Students will be able to participate in hands on encounters that allow them to see, touch, hear, and talk about sea lifeforms like the Giant Pacific Octopus.
http://aquarium.org/visit
12. Marine Science Center:
Southern locations:
13. Wildlife Safari: This non-profit was established in 1972 as a wildlife refuge for a variety of species. They include species from Africa (lions, elephants, and giraffes), Asia (elephants and tigers), and The Americas (bears, elk, and buffalo). There are currently over 500 inhabitants of the refuge roaming freely in as close to their natural habitat as possible. Wildlife Safari is a 4.5 mile driving park and people are only allowed out of their vehicles in the designated village area. There is a petting zoo, gardens, restrooms, gift shop, and cafe. The park offers programs that include Holiday Day Camp where visitors can meet Hollywood animal celebrities, behind the scenes private tours and animal encounters (advanced registration required), guided tours, field trips, and outreach programs. These are all designed to promote education, awareness, and appreciation of all wildlife with a focus on the species present in the park.
http://www.wildlifesafari.net/cur/default.html