Excursions outside the school/classroom should be an important part of the learning experience. These may include field trips, visits to local places of interest like factories, farms, game parks, rivers or streams and weather stations among others. These are to be carefully and cautiously prepared to avoid any eventual incidence.
Outdoor Science Activities |
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
The cost of transport makes long trips very difficult. However, there
are usually places of interest in your area that can help to illustrate science
topics in the curriculum.
Plan visits as a way of introducing a topic, as a practical activity
linked to class work or as a project. Individual pupils and groups should know
what information they will need to collect and what tasks they will need to
complete after the visit. After the visit, when you return to class go over the
important points and ensure that everyone is quite clear about concepts learnt
during the field trip.
SAFETY ISSUES IN OUTDOOR SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
There could be regulations concerning the number of children each
teacher can supervise during outdoor activities. If the number of children is
large you may request company of another teacher. The following must be observed
by the teacher:
•
You should have a check list of the pupils under your
care.
•
Make sure that the pupils know the rules of road
safety, before you go out.
•
You visit the place in advance to warn them of any
potential hazards.
•
Discuss safety with your pupils and get them to
compile a list of the dos and don’ts, e.g. no pupil should leave the group
without telling someone; no one should pick up or eat anything without asking
permission.
•
You may appoint responsible group members to help you
to keep everyone together.
ORGANISATION OF THE VISIT
Always discuss proposed visits with your Head teacher first. You or the
Head teacher may be legally required to inform the local District Director of
Education (District education Board Secretary’s office)
Parents should also be informed about the intended
visits, especially if pupils are going to a distant place from the school. You
may wish to write the parents a note about the visit.
EFFECTS OF ACCIDENTS
Accidents are not called for but may happen at any time. When an
accident happens, one or more of the following may be the result:
•
Wasted time
• Spoiled materials or broken apparatus
Personal injury results in pain and suffering and in certain instances loss of life.
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