Learning Beyond the Classroom at Quest Charter Academy

Quest Charter Academy took learning to a whole new level this summer with a series of field trips that combined education and fun. Megan Bowman, a second-grade teacher at Quest, shared details about the trips and their impact on students.

"We just finished our last field trip," Bowman stated. "We've been to the Michigan Science Center, the Henry Ford Museum, Legoland, and the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium."


These trips weren't just about getting out of the classroom; they were carefully chosen to align with the students' curriculum and provide hands-on learning experiences. "We were hoping to provide them with some real-life field experience, allowing them to see and experience things they wouldn't normally engage with,” Bowman explained. “So, when I was told I had the opportunity to do this with them, I wanted to find activities that would be fun and engaging but would also relate to some of the things that we do throughout the school year."

At the Michigan Science Center, students engaged with interactive exhibits that reinforced their science and math skills. "They even had a math game called Math Mountain where students hopped around on different numbers to solve equations. It was cool to see them have fun with it," Bowman explained. "At Sea Life, they have an area with Michigan-specific sea life, and then of course, there are many other exhibits focusing on different ocean habitats and ecosystems."


The Henry Ford Museum offered a mix of historical artifacts and modern innovations. “Our younger kids were fascinated by the different trains and the race cars," Bowman said. "They loved making airplanes and being in the simulators for different types of aircraft. It was nice to provide them with real-life experiences because many of our students have never been in an airplane."

The trips also boosted attendance and motivation for students taking part in the summer learning program. "Our attendance was definitely higher on field trip days," Bowman noted. "We encouraged families to attend the academic days by linking participation to the field trips. It was a great motivator and we've seen fewer behavior issues because the students were excited about these outings."

The impact of these trips extended beyond the students. "We've had a lot of positive feedback from parents. They're excited that their kids get to do fun things during the summer program,” Bowman shared. “The whole staff also really enjoyed it; we had a lot of fun, and our students loved it. We were really grateful for the opportunity."

Bowman hopes the school will continue the summer field trips, giving students an opportunity to do some hands-on learning, while making lasting memories.
 
About Quest Charter Academy
Quest Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Taylor, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

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