Distance Learning/Electronic Field Trips

Learn how you can take an electronic field trip from your very own classroom or visit a far-away location through video conferencing at Discovery Center.

Dial In to Discovery Center

Would you like to take your students on a field trip without the worry of buses, permission slips, and where to eat lunch? Discovery Center offers a solution to your field trip dilemma. Take a "Virtual Field Trip" through video conferencing and experience a hands-on lab with a science specialist. Choose from a variety of 60 minute hands-on labs, which are aligned to National Science Standards.

Dial in Requirements

Video Conferencing Unit (Polycom, Vtel, ITV)
IP or ISDN* connection capabilities for videoconferencing
384 preferred connection speed (256-512 capable)
* ISDN connections will require a bridge

If you are in the Indiana AVS system, please go to the following site to order your bridge: http://www.ihets.org/forms/va_video_certification/index.html
If you do not have access to a "free" bridge, then there will be an Additional Charge of $50 per hour program for an ISDN connection that we will arrange.

Dial Out from the Discovery Center

Take your students on a field trip around the World. Visit places such as NASA, the Museum of Modern Art, Mote Marine Lab, Liberty Science Center, National Aviary, the Buffalo Zoo, St. Louis University, and many other locations. Programs must be scheduled at least three weeks in advance. For inquiries, contact Hayley Budd at 417-862-9910 ext. 726.

Registration Information

Programs must be scheduled at least three weeks in advance. Please e-mail your registration information to Hayley Budd.
For assistance, contact Hayley Budd at 417-862-9910 ext. 726.

Electronic Field Trip Program Fees - Interactive Program $165

The Discovery Center currently offers a variety of Distance Learning programs via videoconferencing, developed to support the Missouri GLEs and the National Science Standards. The Discovery Center's electronic field trips enable your class to have a hands-on lesson taught by a science specialist. A kit of manipulatives provided to the classroom teacher includes curriculum, pre and post labs, and links to websites.

All About Birds! All About Reptiles! All About Mammals!
Choose one of these 3 programs to learn about an animal family by meeting some of the Zoo's live birds, reptiles, or mammals.
(Gr 1-5)Animal Awareness
Learn about the characteristics of mammals, birds, and reptiles, as we compare and contrast these animals. We'll discuss traits as modeled by our live zoo animals. (Gr Pre K-2)

Animal Families
Learn about family groups and how animals raise their young. (Gr Pre K-2)
Astronomy AboundsCurriculum Standards
What goes up must come down, or does it? Take a look at the different effects of gravity here on earth and in space. Examine Moon phases. Compare and contrast characteristics of the planets in our solar system. (Gr 3-8)
Bon Appetit Curriculum Standards
Students trace the path of the digestive system and explore macronutrient (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) chemistry through interactive kitchen-chemistry experiments. (Gr 3-6)
Bugs? Insects?
What do we call them? Learn the difference between bugs and insects. The Very Hungry Caterpillar will be read in a whole new way. New science words will be introduced when talking about the changes “bugs” go through. (Gr Pre K-2)
Bridging ForcesCurriculum Standards
Calling all engineers and builders . . . investigate different forces and structural designs; build a warbler structure to explore center of gravity and stability. Design and build a structure with magnetic balls and rods – how many books will it support? (Gr 4-8)
Chemistry CapersCurriculum Standards
Create a polymer, demonstrate the “Law of Conservation of Mass” and identify physical and chemical reactions. Using the scientific method, design your own experiment, test the causes of chemical changes in “Chemistry in a Baggie”, and explore 4 different ways to change the rate of a chemical reaction! (Gr 3-9)
Chopstick China Curriculum Standards
Observe how geography influences population distribution and cultural activities in the world's most populated country. (Gr 3-8)
Ecology Exploration Curriculum Standards
Find the connections in a food web! Dissect an owl pellet to investigate its eating habits. Identify adaptations of predators and prey and explore concepts in population control. (Gr 2-8)
Endangered Animals
Find out why some animals' existence is threatened and what we can do to stop animal extinction. (Gr 5-12)
Geology Rocks
How do rocks form? This interactive program will allow the students to classify rocks talk about the rock cycle, and how rocks change over time. Learn the difference between rocks and minerals. Students will even make a rock they can eat! (Gr 3-8)
The Gene Scene Curriculum Standards
Students investigate cell processes and genetics using innovative DNA activities developed by the National Human Genome Research Institute. DNA. See it, build it, touch it! (Gr 7-12)
Jump Into Japan
Learn how geography influences population distribution, economics, and the culture of this island nation. Examine how history and natural resources influence holidays and festivals throughout Japan. (Gr 3-8)
Les Animaux en Français
Learn about animals and their habitats while expanding your French vocabulary. (Gr 2-12)
Magnet Mania Curriculum Standards
Explore the movement of electrons, electricity, magnetism, and the exciting world of electromagnetism! (Gr 2-8)
Magnifico Mexico
Even though Mexico is located just south of the United States, the two countries couldn't be farther apart in geography, history, and culture. Learn how these elements influence traditions and unearth some common misconceptions about Mexican holidays. (Gr. 3-8)
My Amazing Body
Our body parts are so amazing! In this interactive program, we'll touch on bones, brains, muscles and more as young learners explore human anatomy and healthy habits. Also available en español! (Gr Pre K-2)
Simply Marvelous Machines Curriculum Standards
Investigate the quantitative advantages of levers, inclined planes, gears, and pulleys. (Gr 3-9)
Native American Use of the Bison
Presented in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Nov–Dec Only Bison were critical for the survival and well being of the many tribes of the Great Plains. Learn how Native Americans used the bison to make shovels, thread, glue and much more. (Gr K-12)
Peruse Peru
Take a peek into the fascinating (& shocking!) world of the ancient Incas. (Gr 3-8)
Your Wild Backyard
Our backyards play an important role in conserving nature. Learn about the animals in your backyard, how to attract them, and how to build a healthy backyard habitat. (Gr Pre K-5)

Faculty Presentation

FREE Faculty Presentations—Gather your faculty together and join us for a 30 minute overview of our Distance Learning programs. IT'S FREE! We will demonstrate some of the pre-lab, videoconference lab, and post-lab activities for the various programs, and answer your questions.

* ISDN connections will require a bridge.