Academic Benefits of Museum Field Trips: A Key to Student Success

Children enjoying a day at the museum.

Research consistently shows that museum field trips have a profound impact on student learning. These trips enhance academic performance by boosting test scores, improving classroom engagement, and increasing graduation rates. Studies have found that students who participate in field trips perform better academically and are more likely to stay engaged in school, fostering both intellectual curiosity and a passion for learning. Some studies suggest that students who participate in field trips have fewer absences and fewer behavioral issues.

Impact on Student Success	Students Who Experienced Field Trips
Better Grades	59%
High School Graduation	95%
University Graduation	63%
Higher Annual Income	12%

In this study, 89% of the students reported that field trips “had a positive, lasting impact on their education and career because enriching field trips made them more engaged, intellectually curious, and interested in and out of school.”

Furthermore, these experiences provide real-world learning opportunities, allowing students to interact with primary sources and apply classroom knowledge in meaningful ways.

With thoughtful planning and strategic partnerships, field trips can be seamlessly integrated into the curriculum to maximize academic growth, cultural understanding, and social development. It's time to prioritize field trips once again, ensuring they remain a key component of a well-rounded education.

Sources:

"How Field Trips Boost Students’ Lifelong Success." NEA, www.neamb.com/work-life/how-field-trips-boost-students-lifelong-success. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

Stahle, Tyler. "Want Students to Do Better in Class? Send Them on Culturally Enriching Field Trips." BYU News, 17 Feb. 2022, https://news.byu.edu/intellect/want-students-to-do-better-in-class-send-them-on-culturally-enriching-field-trips. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.