Preface
A field trip can be an exhilarating experience for students, and one of the most useful resources that you have for stimulating interest in the natural sciences. Only in the field can students really begin to appreciate such concepts as adaptation, environmental influences, the structure and relationships of natural communities, and geological structures and processes. These topics can be somewhat abstract, yet, if brought alive with field experience, they may be easier for many students to grasp. However, these advantages do not follow automatically from any kind of an excursion, but must instead spring from a carefully planned field trip that has specific objectives. While it should not be so rigidly programmed that there is no room for individual interests or the unexpected opportunity, a certain measure of guidance and organization is necessary if the time is to be used effectively and profitably.
This guide is intended primarily for the teacher who wishes to use the field trip as an adjunct to the classroom and laboratory, but needs some help with the logistics of planning a field trip. It will also be of specific help if you wish to conduct in-depth studies of ecology, taxonomy, or other scientific specialties.
