OSU Extension Takes New Approach to Field Trips, No Sack Lunch Required
By: Trevor Tom, an OSU Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, in Muskingum County
Taking career exploration to a new level and bringing the professionals to your desk, Muskingum County Extension Educators, Trevor Tom, and Jamie McConnell have developed a new program that allows students to experience up-and-coming careers and investigate workplace technology without leaving the classroom. Teachers registering for this innovative program can connect live with local career professionals giving students from kindergarten to high school the advantage of learning directly from those who are working in the selected career fields. 
Throughout the trip, students can learn about the education and training needed to enter the career field as well as hear firsthand advice for preparing for a successful career. Students have seen firefighters lifted on a ladder truck, a cat undergo a bladder ultrasound and explored the various equipment used on physical therapy patients. Dr. Rachel Elliot Hodge, Animal Clinic at Cambridge, explained to students that the number of veterinarian schools in the United States is limited, and she shared the importance of maintaining relationships with peers during her collegiate experience.
Trips are offered using Zoom giving students the chance to speak directly with career professionals. Video is shot using an iPhone making the production of the trips easier for the extension professionals. The virtual trips are recorded and can be found on the Ohio State University Extension- Muskingum County website.
This innovative career exploration program opens the door for new experiences for youth of all ages, and it fills the gaps in career exploration for the local school systems. With schools moving to virtual platforms or blended learning environments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is an exciting time to offer such a fitting program. There are many virtual STEM learning opportunities available that can provide incredible learning experiences for youth such as Discovery Education or the Ohio Beef Council. For more information on virtual field trips through Ohio State University Extension- Muskingum County contact, Trevor Tom at 740-454-0144 or email at tom.35@osu.edu.
Peer-Reviewed by: Meghan Thoreau, OSU Extension Educator in Community Development programmatic focus in STEM Education and Career Exploration.
References:
https://muskingum.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/virtual-field-trips
