Field Studies

The Field Studies program is designed to integrate academic content areas into a realistic approach to learning beyond the classroom environment. Through one day field trips or week long field studies, students experience learning among a natural setting, reinforcing the concepts taught in the classroom. Field studies offer opportunities for observation, research and interaction all within a natural setting. The importance of this program lends itself to building responsible and cooperative learning that naturally occurs in real world situations. This approach to learning provides academic enhancement and creates cultural awareness amidst historic and educational settings.

Fourth Grade: Sacramento, California

Students embark on a field study to the state capital, Sacramento to reinforce the IB Unit of Inquiry “Fools Rush In”. The central idea looks into natural resources, Boom Towns, discovery of precious minerals, and the effect on the area and the people. Students visit the capitol building, and other historic sites in the city. They also visit gold mining sites and explore the mines of the Mother Lode. click for detailed info

Fifth Grade: Astro Camp in Idyllwild, California

Students spend three days at Astro Camp focusing on various astronomy and physical science including rocketry, rock climbing, microgravity snorkeling and many other team building activities.  The experience is designed to sharpen student interest in the scientific study of the universe, and directly connects with the IB Unit of Inquiry on Space and Exploration. click for detailed info

Sixth Grade: Catalina Island Marine Institute in Catalina Island, California

Students attend a five day field study at the Catalina Island Marine Institute to close an IB Unit of Inquiry investigation into oceans. The focal point of the unit is centered around marine biology, understanding how the ocean moves and why, different areas of the ocean and their characteristics, and the chemistry of the ocean. click for detailed info

Seventh Grade: Pali Institute in the San Bernardino Mountains

The Pali Institute field study focuses on building leadership skills through team building, group cooperation and goal setting using nature and science as the medium. Students participate in ethical leadership activities, CSI investigative forensics, and even Herpetology, a branch of zoology dealing with reptiles and amphibians. click for detailed info

Eighth Grade: Jamestown, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Eighth Graders explore the earliest roots of our nation as they follow a historic trail from the first capital of English America, Jamestown, Virginia to our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. The format of the trip is designed to provide students with the opportunity to see how we have developed as a nation. click for detailed info