Self-Guided Field Trip:
Aztec Ruins provides many resources to assist teachers with planning and running their own field trips. Use the on-line "Curriculum Materials" to familiarize yourself with the site and get activities before the scheduled trip. Please call the visitor center at (505) 334-6174 ext 230 to make a field trip reservation and get more information.
What's Here:
The trip might include a 1/2 mile self-guided walk through West Ruin and the reconstructed Great Kiva, a viewing of the 25-minute video Hisatsinom, a visit to the visitor center museum and bookstore, and a sack lunch in the picnic area. Teachers can also reserve a replica artifact truck for use at the site.
Logistics:
Teachers should try to have one chaperone for every ten students. Two hours is usually enough time for the trip. The video room can accommodate a maximum of forty students and the video plays every half hour.
Recommended Group Rotations for Forty Students or Less
2 Hour trip
1st 1/2 hour: Whole group watches the video
2nd 1/2 hour: Split into two smaller groups; one group walks the trail while the other group views the museum (uses the bathrooms and visits the bookstore in small clusters)
3rd 1/2 hour: Trail and museum groups swap places
4th 1/2 hour: Whole group picnic lunch (might also use trunk)
Recommended Group Rotations for More Than Forty Students
2 Hour trip
Rotate three groups through three stations every 1/2 hour
Group 1: Watch video
Group 2: Walk trail
Group 3: Visit museum, bathrooms, bookstore
All: Picnic lunch
*Note: only 5-10 students at a time in bookstore with chaperone
Educational Fee Waiver Application:
If you represent an educational or scientific institution, you may be eligible for a waiver of entrance fees for adults over 15 years old (children15 and under are free). You may download the fee waiver application (feewaiver.pdf) or call Marti Stebbins at (505) 334-6174 ext 228 for more information.