From Rockets to Revolutionary War History
Alabama is a treasure of the South, and not just because of its mouth-watering cuisine and rich college football tradition. Its dynamic mix of historic landmarks, innovative breakthroughs, rich heritage, and natural beauty makes it an ideal field trip destination for students of all ages who are studying any curriculum. Whether your group is interested in learning about civil rights history, STEM, southern cultural heritage, or natural outdoor classrooms, The Heart of Dixie has it all. Consider these exceptional field trip locations that promote hands-on learning and enhance students’ intellectual growth in memorable ways.
“Students may be outfitted as a patriot spy, engrossing them in a journey of espionage.”
U.S. Space & Rocket Center (Huntsville)
The sizeable town of Huntsville, Alabama, has a population of just over 200,000, but what it lacks in raw size, it more than makes up for in STEM excellence. Considered “Earth’s largest space museum,” the U.S. Space & Rocket Center features more than 1,500 authentic artifacts and immersive exhibits dedicated to the U.S.space program. An interactive space simulator puts students in the driver’s seat for an engaging science lesson. Connect classroom engineering and physics with real-world exploration with educational programs and add-on options.
McWane Science Center (Birmingham)
Students can get hands-on at Alabama’s science hub, the state-of-the-art McWane Science Center, where physics, technology and biology are taught through exciting experiments and collaborative activities. Operating since 1998, the center invites groups to engage in scientific labs and experience live demos and IMAX programs that support cross-curricular learning for a well-rounded experience. Those interested in paleontology will not want to miss the Alabama Collections Center, which houses the world’s fourth-largest collection of mosasaurs.
American Village (Birmingham area)
Discover America’s past like never before at American Village, a living history campus, complete with Revolutionary-era costumed interpreters and authentic surroundings. Students can experience town hall debates and role-playing opportunities for immersive learning and participation. Students may be outfitted as a patriot spy, engrossing them in a journey of espionage, intrigue and patriotism. Educational programs teach students about civics, literacy and leadership during the founding era, tying together on-site experiences with in-class curricula.
Alabama Museum of Natural History (Tuscaloosa)
Groups visiting the Alabama Museum of Natural History in Tuscaloosa (the oldest museum in the state) will uncover fascinating exhibits focused on paleontology, geology, and natural history. Explore the Ice Age and authentic dinosaur fossils, examine space objects like the famed Hodges meteorite, and connect earth science concepts to Alabama’s landscapes through special educational group tours.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (Birmingham)
Take your students to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, where groups can examine a different (but no less consequential) period of our nation’s history. The 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 the country live up to its constitutional ideals, birthed centuries earlier. The center 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.
