New Jersey is more than just a state with a rich history.
Its captivating landscapes and unique attractions make it the perfect place to explore the Garden State’s curiosities. With immersive museums and boundless natural beauty, New Jersey is a haven for students seeking to expand their understanding of science, history, earth science, culture, art, and so much more.
“In a place where students can watch live surgery and practice 3D printing, learning becomes exciting and curiosity blooms.”
Battleship New Jersey (Camden)
Step aboard the largest battleship in America and explore its extensive history with a visit to Battleship New Jersey. Spanning multiple decades and wars, the Camden Battleship is an immersive history lesson for all ages. Educational tours take students through the ship’s main deck, navigation bridge, and captain’s cabin. These tours can be tailored to meet specific learning goals and cover a range of topics, including history, engineering, and more. In addition to the tour, classes can also participate in a scavenger hunt and hear from veterans about their military experience. Even after students leave Battleship New Jersey, they can continue learning through educational classroom programs, including “Build a Battleship” and “Circuits and Electricity.”
Liberty Science Center (Jersey City)
Get hands-on with STEM at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. In a place where students can watch live surgery and practice 3D printing, learning becomes exciting and curiosity blooms. The Liberty Science Center offers a range of opportunities for students of all grade levels to explore the world around them. From designing animation for a video game at their MakerLab and Tech & Design Studio to reclining for a show about black holes at the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, experiential adventures are around every corner. Older students can participate in hour-long Laboratory Workshops, giving them hands-on experiences to take back to the classroom. The Liberty Science Center teaches a variety of STEM topics in engaging ways, all while aligning with state education standards.
Historic Cold Spring Village (Cape May)
The Historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May is an attraction that transports visitors back to the 1800s with its authentic shops and experiences during field trips. Students can learn about life here during immersive visits to the blacksmith shop, potter station, and Ice Cream Parlor. Watch a presentation from the Cold Spring Village staff about a range of topics, from Native American Folkways to Travel and Transportation of the time. During these sessions, students can explore authentic artifacts and step into the lives of 19th-century villagers. Groups have opportunities to engage with crafts and other tasks that were standard of the period, including writing with a quill pen and churning butter. A trip to Historic Cold Spring Village is the perfect way to give students a connection to New Jersey’s past.
Tenafly Nature Center (Tenafly)
The 380-acre Tenafly Nature Center in Tenafly makes field trips easy, with ready-made itineraries for students of all grade levels. In addition to adhering to state education standards, programs cover a range of topics and vary in length based on age. Younger students can embark on a journey to find camouflaged animals in the wild as part of the Tenafly Nature Center’s Creative Camouflage program. Third through fifth graders can learn about endangered species in the state through the Endangered NJ program and discuss productive solutions. High school students can test their navigational skills and learn how to use a compass through Compass Course. With numerous opportunities to learn, the Tenafly Nature Center promotes awareness of the New Jersey environment while encouraging students to spend time outside.
