Educational STEM Field Trips in Arkansas

Rich in diverse scenery, rich history and culture, Arkansas boasts a variety of educational field trip locations

Appropriately named the Natural State due to its gorgeous lakes, rivers, mountains and wildlife, Arkansas is brimming with educational field trips and entertaining locations for everyone to enjoy. With an abundance of parks dedicated to the preservation and teachings of wildlife and the environment, students and teachers can enjoy the beautiful scenery of this state while appreciating its vulnerability. The colorful history of Arkansas promises dedicated museums and historical sites to commemorate, remember and celebrate the trials and tribulations of the people who called this state home. 

Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prarie exhibit. Photo credit: Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie Facebook page

A Few Arkansas Field Trip Ideas:

• Reynolds Planetarium 
• Arkansas Archeological Survey
• Mid-America Science Museum 
• Blanchard Springs Caverns
• Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
• Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum
• Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
• Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
• Ozark Folk Center State Park
• Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie 

STEM Field Trips in Arkansas

Reynolds Planetarium

Situated within the walls of Henderson State University, the Reynolds Planetarium offers a stunning glimpse into the world of astronomy. Servicing the region of Southwest Arkansas, the planetarium holds shows, star-gazing events, field trips and more–all exemplary events for students and teachers alike. The 8.2-meter (26.9 ft) diameter dome integrated with the Digitalis Epsilon Digital Projection system makes for a magical viewing experience. 

Arkansas Archeological Survey (ARAS)

Joining forces with seven university campuses, two state parks and the UA System’s Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, the Arkansas Archeological Survey (ARAS) in Fayetteville, helps scholars study and preserve archeological sites. Leading the cause to uncover Arkansas’ past, they run ten research stations throughout the state of Arkansas. The ARAS provides incredible educational field trips that cover STEM topics and offers classroom visits, with subjects covering the ranges of the prehistory and history of Arkansas, sites and artifacts, and early hunting and farming technology. They also provide tours of their facility to small groups. 

Mid-America Science Museum

The Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs takes those scientific discoveries out of the classroom and into more than 100 interactive exhibits. This 73,500 square-foot museum contains the Tesla Theater, Digital Dome Theater, DinoTrek, The Hall of Wonder and more. Enveloping the building are 21 acres of woodland reconnecting visitors with nature as they explore. Workshops are offered to classrooms, fostering an educational environment bonded with creativity. 

The Giant Flowstone at Blanchard Springs Caverns in Arkansas. Photo credit: Dave Bunnell via Wikimedia Commons

Blanchard Springs Caverns

The sights and sounds of Blanchard Springs Caverns are otherworldly, leaving visitors mystified by the underground river and the world’s largest flowstone. Four separate tours are provided: the Dripstone Trail, the Discovery Trail, the Discovery in the Dark Headlamp Tour and the Wild Cave Tour. The cave has been called The Living Cave, as it is ever changing and evolving with time. Besides the underground tours, visitors can enjoy wonderful hiking trails, fishing and swimming areas, and a magical waterfall and natural spring. 

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Spanning over 30 years, the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge has become a safe haven for big cats who have faced adversity and neglect. The Refuge seeks to inform their visitors, especially the young ones, about the harm of the Big Cat Trade. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the animal’s rescue stories, science-based facts and the goal of rehabilitation all while watching the cats eat, sleep and play. 

America 250 Educational Field Trips in Arkansas

Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum USS Razorback SS-394 exhibit. Photo credit: Aaron Headly via Flickr

Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum (AIMM)

The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum (AIMM) contains the USS Razorback (SS 394) and the USS Hoga (YT 146), both previously active WWII submarines that are now open for tours to the public. Docked in the Arkansas River, the museum is located within the North Little Rock Riverfront Park. Guests can experience life aboard these iconic submarines and learn about the vital roles they played in the most destructive war in history.

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

In the heart of Downtown Little Rock, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts lends its efforts to spread the positive impact of fine arts, perfect for creative educational field trips. With over 14,000 works of international art collected, the museum provides a diverse assembly of paintings, sculptures and more, ranging up to eight centuries old. Constantly changing and transforming, the countless exhibitions boast beautiful artwork for all to enjoy. Students are led around the museum and taught how best to interpret and discuss art. 

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. Photo credit Jeremy Thompson via Flickr

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site

In the year 1957, nine African American students were escorted into their new school, a previously all-white Little Rock Central High School, as an act of desegregation. The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site highlights the significance this event played in the African American Civil Rights movement, and seeks to educate and support students and teachers alike on the nation’s heritage. 

Ozark Folk Center State Park

Located in Mountain View, AR, the Ozark Folk Center State Park seeks to demonstrate the music, crafts and culture of the Ozarks. Throughout the mid-April to late-October open season, patrons can watch as artisans make flame-painted copper jewelry, baskets, pottery and more. The Heritage Herb Garden acts as a classroom for workshops and programs dedicated to learning about the culinary and medicinal uses of plants and herbs. The park hosts live performers playing Ozark Mountain music, typically made with the fiddle, banjo, guitar and more. 

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. Photo credit: Jeremy Thomspon via Flickr

Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie

Those eager to learn about the life of prairie pioneers will love the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie, which holds over 10,000 artifacts relating to agriculture and farm life. The museum was established in 1974, in the hopes to preserve and celebrate Arkansas heritage as the center for rice production and duck hunting. The 1,500 square-foot building’s construction was funded by a nonprofit group of generous citizens and shouldn’t be missed during educational field trips to Arkansas.