On Monday, as part of their studies in archaeology, prehistory, and ancient humans, our sixth graders took a field trip to the San Diego Archaeological Center and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Students had the opportunity to hear from an archaeologist who shared his experiences working in Belize and Southern France. Afterwards, they visited the Safari Park, where they learned about efforts to protect endangered species.
The students were particularly fascinated by the archaeologist’s work, uncovering artifacts made or used by humans. The visit to the Safari Park left a strong impression, with many students shocked to learn how many species are close to extinction.
Here are a few quotes from our students:
- "I learned that giraffes are endangered, there are only two of one species of rhinos left, and that a wallaby is two times as small as a kangaroo." - Siena
- "I wonder how it is that there not enough archeologists to explore all of the ruins in the world." - Eric
- "My favorite part [of the visit with the archeologist] was looking at the map of the city and the temple that we couldn’t see but with LIDAR we could." - Charlie
- "[I learned that] elephant tusks are 6ft long; there is a bird called the Marbled Teal; and lions rub their heads as a greeting." - Jonah
Field trips help students see how classroom concepts connect to the real world, making learning more meaningful and relevant to their lives. These experiences also spark a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around them.