To the editor:
16% higher test scores, 40% more frequent engagement, and 95% increased high school graduation rates. All from simply partaking in field trips. Field trips benefit the learning capabilities of students in a multitude of ways. They provide a fun, encouraging environment for growth, they offer a different method of learning for students who may struggle in a regular classroom environment, and they allow students to connect their in-class lessons to the outside world. And despite all of these positives, Wellesley Middle School is still lacking in field trips opportunities throughout the middle school curriculum.
Currently, WMS provides two short, full-grade academic field trips for students in sixth grade. These two trips include a visit to a temple and a mosque to accompany the religions unit of sixth grade social studies. After these, students are stuck in the building for the remainder of the three years. In the past, full-grade field trips were provided for seventh grade students to go along with their science and social studies units, but those have since been cut.
Additionally, eighth grade Washington, D.C. and Civil War trips, classic end of middle school trips that were once offered for sign-ups, have been gotten rid of as well. The cause of the lack of field trip opportunities is mainly dependent on the high bus costs, which have risen significantly, particularly post pandemic. WMS field trips are funded by PTO donations and funding which, although generous, do not amount to enough money to cover a full field trip experience for middle schoolers. However, the current WPS budget is $95 million, and has only risen since past years. Rather than taking PTO funding, our goal is to persuade those in charge to reallocate money from the budget to be used for WMS field trip opportunities. Our desired result would be to have enough funding taken from the WPS budget to create a program of two to three full-grade, academic field trips for each grade of the middle school.
When recently polled, 89% of students agreed that more field trips were necessary at WMS, and many said they had not felt like they had been on many field trips. According to the International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, “Experiential learning at formal and informal field trip venues increases student interest, knowledge, and motivation.” Allowing students opportunities to go on field trips gives them a more positive perspective on learning and school overall, and encourages overall enthusiasm towards classroom activities. Although many students may simply enjoy field trips because they view them as an opportunity to escape school, they allow students to grow in their learning as well, and begin to appreciate the importance. In a quote from our survey of WMS students, a student responded, “In fifth grade we went to the Science Museum, which enabled us to learn more about what science stuff we are interested in.” Alongside providing learning benefits to students, field trips give students a chance to see the world and discover more about their interests and even possible future careers.
In addition to creating a beneficial learning environment, field trips also provide an opportunity for more spatial, interpersonal, and kinesthetic learning. For students who may struggle with linguistic and logical learning styles, field trips can provide a time for them to benefit. According to the Environmental Science Center, “School field trips are also excellent for building teamwork and social skills. As students navigate new environments together, they learn to collaborate and communicate effectively. They need to work together to solve problems, and this shared experience can strengthen their bonds.” These skills progress over time, and provide support throughout later education and life. By going on field trips, students are exposed to real life skills and situations that they would be incapable of learning by staying in the classroom.
Educational field trips are put in place to show students the importance of learning what they are being taught in school. In effect, students gain greater knowledge and understanding from going on field trips. Brigham Young University says, “Students who attended three different field trips in fourth or fifth grade scored higher on end-of-grade exams, received higher course grades, were absent less often and had fewer behavioral infractions. These benefits were strongest when students entered middle school.” By going on three field trips, in-class performance in both behavior and grades is increased. Although some may deem field trips a distraction from learning, or unnecessary, the reality is field trips provide great benefits academically, behaviorally, and inclusively alongside being enjoyable and memorable for the participants.
Despite all obvious benefits, WMS students are still confined in the building throughout the year, despite many possible topics and units to take advantage of. Within a $95 million dollar budget, roughly 0.02% of the money would be needed to go towards field trip funding in order to create a total of nine full-grade field trips at WMS. Our call to action is for the Wellesley Public Schools administration and School Committee to allocate a small portion of the district’s budget to support WMS field trips. By setting aside even a small percentage of funding, WPS can provide students with meaningful learning experiences outside of school and ensure that middle school students receive the same opportunities as those in other grades.
Hadley Burke, Erin Lo, Joseph Quan, Benjamin Gruneich, Julia Presiado
Wellesley Middle School 8th graders
