Virtual Field Trips
Each of our virtual field trips consists of asynchronous, self-paced lessons about a particular STEM topic that connect to further investigations that can be done in the classroom or at home. Our asynchronous lessons are designed through Nearpod and are currently accessible FREE of charge! Want to experience even more with your virtual field trip? Request a live, virtual presentation or exhibit tour led by MiSci educators to pair with the Nearpod lessons for your trip.
Have you tried one of our virtual field trips? Tell us what you think in our brief educator feedback survey below!
Virtual Field Trips are made possible with the generous support of General Motors, The FCA Foundation and The Zatkoff Family Legacy Fund.
Virtual Field Trips
What's the Weather?
While practicing kindergarten friendly matching, drawing, and word recognition, students will explore the patterns found in the weather around us.
Educator Guide
Supplemental Documents
- Our Weather Graph
- Comparing Seasons
- Cloud in a Bottle
- Shaving Cream Clouds
- Convection Currents
- Family Emergency Plan
- First Aid & Emergency Checklists
Standards
- This field trip aligns with K-ESS2-1 of the Next Generation Science Standards
- Originally designed to support DPSCD Kindergarten Mystery Science Curriculum.
Whirling Wonder
Through the use of our virtual planetarium, students will make observations about the sun, the moon, and the stars to discover the patterns that guide our daily lives.
Educator Guide
Supplemental Documents
Standards
- This field trip aligns with 1-ESS1-2 of the Next Generation Science Standards.
- Originally designed to support DPSCD 1st Grade Mystery Science Curriculum.
Works of Water
During this field trip, we'll discover how water shapes our planet and why it's important that we become stewards of our natural resources.
Connect with MiSci educators for a live tour of the General Motors Earth, Wind, and Weather Gallery coming soon! Click here to explore our other available ECHO Distance Learning programs.
Educator Guide
Supplemental Documents
Standards
- This field trip aligns with 2-ESS2-3 of the Next Generation Science Standards.
- Originally designed to support DPSCD 2nd Grade Mystery Science Curriculum.
Ancient Animals
Observe Michigan fossils to make an evidence-based claim about the ancient environment present in Michigan at the time these animals roamed the Earth.
Connect with MiSci educators for a live tour of the General Motors Earth, Wind, and Weather Gallery coming soon! Click here to explore our other available ECHO Distance Learning programs.
Educator Guide
Supplemental Documents
Standards
- This field trip aligns with 3-LS4-1 of the Next Generation Science Standards
- Originally designed to support DPSCD 3rd Grade science curriculum.
Evolving Erosion
Make observations about Michigan’s geologic features and determine that water in the form of glaciers has shaped our modern landscape.
Educator Guide
Supplemental Documents
Standards
- This field trip aligns with 4-ESS2-1, 4-ESS2-2, 4-ESS3-2 of the Next Generation Science Standards.
- Originally designed to support DPSCD 4th Grade science curriculum.
Galactic Gizmos
Use observable cosmic patterns to discover how humans measured time and navigated the world without modern instruments, such as clocks.
Join us in the virtual planetarium to explore celestial patterns, then construct instruments used for navigation, orientation, and time-keeping with the help of MiSci’s staff astronomers. Reserve your live connection now.
Educator Guide
Supplemental Documents
Standards
- This field trip aligns with 5-ESS1-2 of the Next Generation Science Standards.
- Originally designed to support DPSCD 5th Grade science curriculum.
Sounds All Around
Dive into the unseen world of sound by exploring the sounds in your local ecosystem. It focuses on understanding the definition of sound, basic properties of sounds, and how the sounds we make can impact our planet.
What do vibrations look like in super-slow motion? What do sounds tell us about the health of our planet? Join us on an ear-opening journey into the science of sound and the emerging field of soundscape ecology through an interactive presentation led by one of MiSci’s Distance Learning educators.
Request your live Global Soundscapes presentation here.
Educator Guide
Supplemental Documents
- Cool Vibrations
- Sound Map Instructions
- Blank Sound Map
- Blank Sound Map Key
- MiSci Sound Map Example
- MiSci Sound Map Key Example
Standards
- This field trip supports MS-PS4-2 and MS-LS2-1 of the Next Generation Science Standards
Energy Interactions
This electrifying field trip focuses on atomic interactions and energy transfer, primarily as it relates to static electricity. Students will be amazing by demonstrations from the DTE Energy Sparks Theater.
Explore even more examples of energy interactions from your own home or classroom coming soon! Click here to explore our other available ECHO Distance Learning programs.
Educator Guide
Standards
- This field trip supports HS-PS3-2 and HS-PS3-5 of the Next Generation Science Standards
- This program was originally designed for the Detroit Public Schools Community District 9th Grade Interactions curriculum.
- Made possible by the support of Aramco Americas
What is Nearpod?
Unlike traditional field trip experiences which rely on pen and paper to document student learning, the Michigan Science Center virtual field trips will utilize a digital learning environment called Nearpod. Nearpod is an educational platform that integrates game-based learning and interactive elements to engage students in an immersive experience. Nearpod works across all devices via web browser, and the app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store. Nearpod does not require students to sign up to use the platform, ensuring student privacy. Teachers can request access to Nearpod’s student assessment tools by emailing Education@mi-sci.org. Nearpod’s student assessment tools are included in the cost of live presentations.
Have you tried our virtual field trips?
Tell us what you think in our brief educator feedback survey below!
Looking for another virtual experience?
Click here to learn more about MiSci’s award-winning ECHO Distance Learning program and our other virtual classroom workshops.
Virtual Field Trips are generously supported by:
