Field Trips

We will complement our in-class discussions with experiences in a variety of learning institutions.  Students are required  to visit one learning space with at least one partner from the class by week 8 of our course (May 23).  It is encouraged but by no means required to connect this trip with your Group 2 project. After this visit, students will post reflections about their visits to their personal pages in this wiki.  These reflections should include

• at least one photo - but by all means use more media to share your experience
• at least three paragraphs of text (there is no maximum)  Some questions to consider in your reflection are: "What am I supposed to learn here? Am I part of the target audience, if not who is? How are visitors supposed to interact with each other? How does this space connect with your team project? Are there any assessment activities? What kinds of conversations did you have with your partnersetc."

Here are some local places that you might find interesting to look at their spaces and reflect on how they support learning - Please add others to this list that you like!:

San Francisco

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: Be sure to visit Koret Family Visitor Education Center - a physically beautiful setting with lots of learning embodied here but what are the contextual issues that impace learners' experiences here?

Zeum: An unusual place geared for all kids and families in the region.  From the Zeum website: "Zeum is a non-profit multimedia arts and technology museum. Our mission is to foster creativity and innovation in young people and their families."

de Young Museum  - spectacular from the outside - what do you think of the inside?

Alcatraz: Certainly one of the most visited learning spaces in the Bay Area.

Exploratorium: One of the most innovative science learning centers in the country; dynamic chaotic experience

Museum of African Diaspora (MOAD): From their website: 'The Museum of the African Diaspora connects all people through the celebration and exploration of the art, culture and history of the African Diaspora'.  MoAD also has some interesting exhibits online that complemet the physical space: MOAD Salon

Palo Alto

Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo - a small kids' museum and mini-zoo.  Very close to campus.

Palo Alto Children's Library - reopened in September 2007 after an extensive renovation.  If you love reading and young children, have a look around this place.  Its great but not perfect, I'd love to hear your thoughts.  It is also close to campus and Palo Alto Junior Museum.

Museum of American Heritage - Located in an old house near downtown Palo Alto - they have rotating exhibits.

Stanford

Hoover Tower and Museum: Photo Stanford University Archives

Cantor Arts Center - contains many neat-o things, how does the environment support learning?

Yang and Yamasaki Energy and Environment Building:   One of the premier Green Buildings in the world.  What should visitors know just by stepping into this space? How have the planners and designers included learning into this project? Video Intro to Y2E2