Schools and other educational groups in Nashville, Tenn., can take a field trip to a variety of educational and interesting venues such as the Nashville Children's Theatre and the Adventure Science Center. Many venues offer prearranged and customizable school programs that allow teachers and other educators to tailor the trip to meet the academic needs of each class group.
The Adventure Science Center offers daily educational programs in its Sci-Bites program and a variety of interactive exhibits. Groups at the museum can undergo mock astronaut training, learn about the body system and health care careers, ride in a flight simulator, explore the seven levels of the 75-foot tall Adventure Tower that overlooks the city and become familiar with the obstacles faced by physically handicapped individuals at the Mission Impossible exhibit. A variety of programs and demonstrations are available for school field trip visitors such as "Dinosaur Discoveries," "Botany Labs," "Renewable Energy Labs," "Stars of the Pharaohs" and "Bone Detective Labs." Visitors can also attend a show and learn about the solar system and universe at the Sudekum Planetarium.
The Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art offers classes, workshops, summer camps and school programs. Field trip groups can explore the 55 acres of botanical gardens on a guided tour of flowers, plants and shrubbery that have been divided into sections that represent different centuries and geographies. Students can learn about the medicinal uses of herbs and see Japanese gardens and an 18th-century European boxwood garden. The museum also offers educational tours of the on-site art gallery, through which students can learn about American folk art, contemporary art forms and artistic elements used to compose a work of art.
The Nashville Children's Theatre offers a variety of entertaining and educational productions throughout the year such as "Jason and the Golden Fleece," "Goodnight Moon" and "Robin Goodfellow." Prior to a school field trip, educators are welcome to attend a preview night, held on the Tuesday evening before the opening of a new production. Prior to each preview, educators are welcome to attend a workshop to learn how to integrate the theme of the play into classroom activities. The theater also offers professional development sessions to further develop classroom education in the arts.
The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere offers interesting and educational activities and attractions for family, school and group field trips. The zoo is 188 acres in size and is home to animals that include the white-cheeked gibbon, masai giraffes, Javan rhinoceros, clouded leopards, Bengal tigers and African elephants. From April to October each year, the zoo offers educational animal shows where visitors can see animal training and learn about the natural behaviors and abilities of the zoo's animals. Groups at the zoo can also arrange for a tour of the on-site 18th-century Croft House and Farm.
