With all the city's sights and attractions, it can be hard to decide on a single place to take students on field trips in Houston. The fourth-largest city in the United States holds one of the nation's most prestigious universities (Rice University), nearly two dozen museums and over 4,500 plants and animals from around the world.
The San Jacinto Monument stands to commemorate the Battle of San Jacinto, where Texans fought for and won their independence from Mexico in 1836. Children can learn more about this and other aspects of Texas history at the San Jacinto museum, located at the base of the monument. The museum holds artifacts from throughout the Texas history, from its days as the Mexican state of Tejas to its participation in the Civil War. Such artifacts include authentic uniforms worn by both sides of the Battle of San Jacinto. The museum contains a theater that regularly shows a film highlighting the events leading up to and during the battle.
The Houston Zoo is home to almost 5,000 animals. Children can get up-close views of exotic plant life and animals from around the world, including zoo favorites like Toby the red panda. Check the Houston Zoo website ahead of your field trip to learn what educational activities the zoo offers. The class may be able to watch the staff feed or train the animals. The zoo recommends that classes visit between the months of September and February, so that children get the best chance to see the animals without large crowds.
Houston's Museum District consists of 18 museums located in close proximity to one another in a 1.5-mile area of the city. The museums span the subjects of art, science and history. Classes can learn about the histories of various ethnic groups at such sites as the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, the Czech Center Museum and the Holocaust Museum. The Health Museum, as part of Houston's world-famous Medical Center, contains interactive exhibits that encourage healthy lifestyle habits in kids. The Children's Museum is designed especially for children. It consists of 90,000-square feet of interactive exhibits designed to teach kids about civics, economics, physics, engineering and more.
Surveys consistently rank Rice University as one of the nation's most prestigious universities. Founded in 1912, the private university has become known for its rigorous curriculum, specifically within its engineering school. Classes are welcome to take self-guided tours of the campus, or to go on guided tours led by Rice students during select hours of the weekday. Young students can learn about the university's history and be encouraged to apply as a student in the future. Notable campus sites include the sally port, the academic quad and Willy's Statue. The latter is said to be the grave of the university's founder, William Marsh Rice.
