Field Trips

Big River Journey

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Science

Big River Journey (BRJ) is an integration of river and classroom experiences that connect 3rd-5th grade students with the science and heritage of the Mississippi River, and promote stewardship. BRJ culminates with a riverboat excursion on the Mississippi River featuring hands-on learning stations. Teachers who sign up for a Big River Journey trip incorporate river-theme activities into their classroom. Pre- and post-trip classroom activities are selected by each teacher from among the many activity options presented in advance teacher workshops. Workshops allow teachers to explore science activities that provide a foundation for related activities on the river, as well as thematic activities including geography, history, art, and more. Teacher workshop attendance is required of all teachers participating in BRJ field trips, unless the teacher has previously attended a workshop in the past 10 years. Big River Journey is aligned with state and district learning requirements.

View a short video (6 mins) that introduces this program.

Field Trip Content

Big River Journey riverboat field trips run between Harriet Island (St. Paul) and Fort Snelling State Park. Trips are designed for up to 120 3rd-5th grade students, and feature staffed learning stations with hands-on activities on the following topics (subject to change):

  • Aquatic insects & water quality

  • River geology

  • River ecosystems

  • River birds

  • Watershed stewardship

  • Riverboats & piloting

  • Archaeology*

  • Floodplain forest*

  • Cultural confuence hike*

  • Water quality lab*

*land-based experiences on trips paired with Fort Snelling State Park visits.

Cost and Registration

To register for a Big River Journey field trip, learn about program costs, and read about available scholarships, visit the Big River Journey page on Mississippi Park Connection's website. 

Contributors

Big River Journey is coordinated by the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (National Park Service) in cooperation with the Padelford Riverboats. Field trip program presenters include staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Padelford Packet Boat Co., Science Museum of Minnesota, Historic Fort Snelling and Saint Paul Audubon Society.

 

Big River Journey is made possible by the generous support of:  Mississippi Park Connection, 3M Foundation, Ecolab Foundation, David Winton Bell Foundation, the National Park Foundation, and XCEL Energy.

Tags: field trip

Last updated: September 26, 2023