How do educational field trips impact students?

Naowarat Cheeptham (Ann)Assistant Professor of Microbiology

Thompson Rivers UniversityKamloops, BC, Canada

Context

Courses (CMMB major)Courses (CMMB major) Senior: BIOL449 Industrial Microbiology (12-24 major

students, no lab, meet 3 hrs a week, 13 weeks, offered in the winter semester from Jan to Apr), Beer brewery, Winery, and Cheese factory field trips.

Sophomore: BIOL 220 Introductory Microbiology (64-80 major students, 2 hrs lab a week, class 3 hrs a week, 13 weeks in the winter semester from Jan to Apr), Sewage treatment plant, drinking water treatment facility, and RIH pathology laboratory.

Learning objectivesLearning objectives Recognize the role of microorganisms in our life on a

daily basis and in local community. Understand some microbiological concepts. Develop an awareness of possible careers in the field.

Why?

Customized field trips! Value added to pedagogical

approaches in teaching microbiology and biotechnology.

Uncover some misconceptions about field trips in this economy downward climate.

Experimental Design

Pre/post course concept tests Between topics chosen (with and w/o field

trips) a report after the field trip (reflective paper) Pre/post attitudinal surveys

Appreciation of microbial activities and products

Career awareness Motivation