Fourth graders from Birdville ISD’s Green Valley Elementary traveled to Fort Worth on an Education in Action Discover Texas Field Trip February 12, 2016, to experience what they are learning in fourth grade Texas History at the Fort Worth Stockyards and the Fort Worth Cultural District.

During the charter bus ride to Fort Worth, students played Cowtown Bingo in preparation for their day. The students’ first stop was at the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District where they toured historic buildings, learned about the life and work of cowboys on the cattle drives, and saw the Fort Worth Herd of longhorns. Participants learned about legendary cowboys and compared today’s methods of transportation to wagons used in the 1800s at the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Students learned about the importance of the Texas cattle industry at the Cattle Raisers Museum and about famous cowgirls and their contributions to Texas’ story at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. The day concluded in Grapevine with a 10-mile ride along the famous Chisholm Trail on a Grapevine Vintage Railroad steam train.

“Education in Action’s Discover Texas Field Trips are based on the understanding that the most effective way for students to learn is through experience,” stated Lacey Phillips, Discover Texas Field Trips Director. “Student activities during the Discover Texas Field Trip to Fort Worth reinforce and supplement fourth grade social studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) learning objectives with a focus on our unique heritage.”

Education in Action’s Discover Texas Field Trips make it easy for teachers to take their 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade classrooms on organized, fun, and educational site-based learning experiences. Discover Texas Field Trip staff members handle all details, including round-trip charter bus transportation, reservations, and TEKS-based program curriculum, so participating teachers can focus on their students and making connections between the experience and what students are learning in the classroom.

In addition to Discover Texas Field Trips to Austin, Waco/Georgetown, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Education in Action also offers summer Lone Star Leadership Academy camps for outstanding 4th-8th graders. During the weeklong, overnight camps, participants experience significant Texas sites in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston with Texas educators and a focus on leadership.

Discover Texas Field Trips are presented by Education in Action, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering educated and involved young people. For more information about Education in Action visit www.educationinaction.org and www.facebook.com/educationinaction.