CFAM Offers Hands-on Field Trips for Local Students

April 19, 2008

The Cornell Fine Arts Museum gives students across Central Florida the opportunity to embark on a learning experience outside of the classroom. Students from kindergarten through high school participate in hands-on field trips to the CFAM, during which they tour the Museum and take part in active artistic learning experiences.

“Children learn readily through multi-sensory experiences, and a field trip to the CFAM can offer a unique and rich learning opportunity for students,” said Cornell Fine Arts Museum Education Coordinator Tracy Gore. “Our exhibitions encourage students to do a minimal amount of listening and observing and a maximum amount of comparing, contrasting, conversing and sharing.”

During the visits, students receive a tour from museum volunteers followed by various hands-on activities. Expenses for each of the visits are paid for on behalf of the Winifred Johnson Clive Foundation grant.

Gore’s goal is “to reach many students and engage them in wonderful conversation about what they see and how they feel about it.” Local teachers are notified by mail when a new exhibition is on display. Workshops are also available for teachers to become familiar with the exhibitions.

Traditional school classes have been the usual participants for the field trips, but recently the CFAM has extended invitations to youth organizations (including, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boy and Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts). On average, the CFAM hosts about 25 field trips each semester.