Virtual Field Trips

Bison In America

Virtual Field Trip: What roamed the Plains before our cattle blotted out the landscape? Bison!

Learn about North America’s largest mammal and their place in our history, economy, and culture. How did the bison contribute to the Industrial Revolution? How were bison our walking convenience stores? What contributions did the bison provide to our environment? Find out all of this, and more, with our Bison in America Virtual Field Trip!

This lesson is 30 minutes and recommended for 3rd to 5th grade students.

Meets Nebraska Social Studies Standards 3.1.2, 3.3, 4.3.1, 4.4, 5.2.6, 5.3, 5.4

George Norris and the Unicameral

Virtual Field Trip: Nebraska is the only state in the Union to be governed by a Unicameral Legislature. Our unique government is the product of the efforts of one man, Senator George Norris.

Learn how he led the charge to adopt the single-house legislature, and how our legislature works, in our George Norris and the Unicameral Virtual Field Trip! We’ll cover what a legislature even is, how Nebraska became the only state with a government of our kind, and how laws are made with our unique system. Join us today!

This lesson is 30 minutes and recommended for 3rd to 5th grade students.

Meets Nebraska Social Studies Standards 3.1.1.a, 3.1.2, 4.1.2, 4.4, 5.1, 5.2.3, 5.3.3.

Nebraska Trailblazers: Buffalo Soldiers

Virtual Field Trip: African Americans have served their country proudly in every conflict in America’s history. Nebraska was home to the first two all-Black units to serve in an official capacity with the United States Army, the 9th and 10th Cavalry, better known as the Buffalo Soldiers. In this lesson, students will explore the complex relationship these soldiers had with their country and their fellow service members, and learn what it takes to be a trailblazer.

This lesson is 30 minutes and is recommended for 2nd to 5th grade students.

Meets Nebraska Social Studies Standards 2.1 3.1.2, 4.3.1, 4.4, 5.1

Unsung Heroes: Buffalo Soldiers

Virtual Field Trip: African Americans have served their country proudly in every conflict in America’s history. Nebraska was home to the first two all-Black units to serve in an official capacity with the United States Army, the 9th and 10th Cavalry, better known as the Buffalo Soldiers. In this lesson, learners will examine themes of exploitation, discrimination, celebration, and opportunity making through the story of the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Robinson.

This lesson is 45 minutes and recommended for secondary, college, and adult learners.

Meets Nebraska Social Studies Standards HS.4.1-5 (US)

The Oregon Trail: Chance, Choice, and Chimney Rock

Virtual Field Trip: Just passing through! For the people travelling West along the Oregon Trail, Nebraska offered a quick, efficient, and oftentimes monotonous route to the Pacific, though landmarks across the state helped migrants track their progress. Chimney Rock in Bayard is one such landmark. In this lesson, students will explore what life was like on the Westward trails, and learn about the people who stayed behind to serve those travelers.

This lesson is 45 minutes and recommended for 3rd to 5th grade students.

Meets Nebraska Social Studies Standards 3.3, 3.4.2, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4, 5.3.4, 5.3.5, 5.4.4

Piecing Together the Past: Archeology in Nebraska

Virtual Field Trip: Have you ever wondered what an archeologist is and what they do? Come find out with us at the Nebraska History Museum! We’ll help answer questions like “what do archeologists dig for?” and, “how do they know where to dig?”

Based around our Piecing Together the Past exhibit at the Nebraska History Museum, this virtual field trip will get your students exploring the physical side of historical work. We may not be Indiana Jones, but we’re as close as you’re going to get!

This lesson is 30 minute and recommended for 4th to 6th grade students.

Meets Nebraska Social Studies Standards 4.3, 4.4, 5.3, 5.4.1, 6.3, 6.4