Snow Heights Elementary fourth graders unbox field trip fun and travel to the Texas State Capitol, Inner Space Cavern, and Waco Mammoth National Monument, virtually, on an Education in Action Discover Texas Field Trip In a Box program 

Fourth graders from Birdville ISD’s Snow Heights Elementary traveled to Austin, Waco, and Georgetown, virtually, with an Education in Action Discover Texas Field Trip In a Box program to experience what they are learning in social studies and science. The students explored the Texas State Capitol, Waco Mammoth National Monument, and Inner Space Cavern, virtually. 

Education in Action’s very own Arlie the Armadillo led the students’ virtual tour of the Texas State Capitol where the students experienced the building’s many paintings, sculptures, and terrazzo mosaics that tell the story of our state’s unique history and famous leaders. The students also learned about our state’s legislative branch of government as they viewed the Texas State Senate and House of Representatives chambers where state laws are made. In Waco, Maggie the Mammoth led the students on a virtual tour of Waco Mammoth National Monument where they saw the nation’s only recorded discovery of a nursery herd of Pleistocene mammoths and learned about the Ice Age, how the fossils were discovered, sedimentary rocks, and why the site is one of the most important paleontological sites in North America. In Georgetown they experienced the Earth’s processes at work as they toured the highly decorated Inner Space Cavern. 

To add to the fun, each student and teacher received a box to keep, full of hands-on games, activities, and souvenirs, including an ‘I Discovered Texas’ T-shirt, an Arlie the Armadillo plushy, and a Virtual Travel Research Journal, to supplement their virtual visits to these famous Texas sites. 

“Education in Action’s Discover Texas Field Trips In a Box programs are based on the understanding that the most effective way for students to learn is through experience,” stated Jennifer Pasteur, Education in Action’s Executive Director. “Student activities during Discover Texas Field Trips In a Box programs reinforce and supplement Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) learning objectives in fun and interactive ways that bring the content to life.” 

Discover Texas Field Trips In a Box programs provide teachers with ready-to-go, entertaining, and educational social studies and science-based virtual field trips to the Texas State Capitol, The Alamo, Inner Space Cavern, Waco Mammoth National Monument, and more, with a box full of TEKS-based hands-on games and activities to supplement classroom learning plus trip souvenirs! With these turnkey programs, teachers are able to focus on making connections between the experience and what students are learning in the classroom. To learn more, visit www.educationinaction.org/FieldTripsInaBox. 

In addition to Discover Texas Field Trips In a Box programs, Education in Action offers summer Lone Star Leadership Academy camps for outstanding 4^th-8^th 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. Educators may nominate their outstanding students for these camps at www.educationinaction.org/nominate.  

Education in Action, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 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.