From dinosaurs and rocket ships to sit-ins and revolutionary role-playing, these attractions make an Alabama field trip a reality
Alabama is a treasure of the South–and not just because of its mouth-watering cuisine and rich college football tradition. It is much more than those things, particularly because it excels in science and American history. Field trip planners should try hard to get their student groups to head to Alabama, which is home to multiple STEM-related attractions and numerous museums and institutes where children can immerse themselves in our nation’s history. They can learn about civil rights and the American Revolution, then venture over to the McWane Science Center to examine fossils and engage with an interactive exhibit. Put simply, Alabama can enhance your group’s intellectual growth–so don’t miss out on any of the ideas below.
U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Alabama. Photo credit: U.S. Space and Rocket Center Facebook page
Alabama Field Trip Ideas
- American Village
- U.S. Space and Rocket Center
- Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
- McWane Science Center
STEM Opportunities for Student Groups in Alabama
From space exploration and the technology behind rockets to a natural history museum housing the world’s fourth-largest collection of mosasaurs, STEM educational opportunities abound on Alabama field trips.
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Huntsville, Alabama, is a sizeable town–its population is just over 200,000–but what it lacks in raw size, it more than makes up for in STEM excellence. One prime example is the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, a museum that showcases rockets, artifacts and achievements of the U.S. space program. Operated by the state government and sometimes deemed “Earth’s largest space museum,” this attraction boasts one of the most extensive collections of space memorabilia, including more than 1,500 artifacts. Children are especially excited when they get the chance to step inside since they have the opportunity to try simulators and interact with hands-on exhibits.
McWane Science Center
After taking in the famed U.S. Space and Rocket Center, student groups should continue their STEM-focused field trips by heading 100 miles south to Birmingham, home to the McWane Science Center. This state-of-the-art facility opened to the public in 1998 and offers something for people of all ages, from the Word of Water exhibit on the lower level to the Bitty Magic City exhibit on the second floor. Those interested in paleontology will not want to miss the Alabama Collections Center, which houses the world’s fourth-largest collection of mosasaurs.
America 250 & Other Heritage & Historical Lenses
Celebrate America’s birthday during your Alabama field trip with visits to provoking historical sites where students can immerse in living history.
American Village in Montevallo
The first history-centric Alabama field trip groups should consider is American Village. This is one of the South’s most incredible attractions. Students have the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at the American Revolution and the fight for our country’s independence. Beyond mere looking, guests can role-play: they might be outfitted as a Patriot spy, engrossing them in a journey of espionage, intrigue and patriotism. Then, visitors will continue in their given roles during a special Colonial dinner on campus. Put it all together and American Village is the best way for school groups to learn history–through hands-on understanding.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Next, field trip planners should take their groups to examine a different (but no less consequential) period of our nation’s history at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. This historic building traces the journey of the civil rights fighters of the 1950s and 1960s, men and women who permanently altered America’s path and helped her live up to those constitutional ideals birthed centuries earlier. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute chronicles the struggle for equality for Black Americans, from the Jim Crow laws in the 19th century to the freedom rides and sit-ins of the 1960s.
