As a teacher working in a
school, I get to go where the kids go on a learning trip usually called a field
trip. The field trip (also a school trip or an excursion), as we all are aware,
is a trip made by students to gain firsthand knowledge away from the classroom.
These trips emphasize the fact that learning cannot be confined to one place or
environment. I quote - “The world is
a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Definitely a field trip is
meant for the school children to gather some glimpses into the “real world”
however I too have immensely benefitted from these outings. When I had to plan
or decide upon such a trip for my learners, I drew upon memories of my childhood,
my experiences when I was growing up and what saw and learnt when I touched
different shores of land for living.
While I was a homeroom
teacher for third grade learners, I had a thought of taking them to see the
water purification plant. I remember vividly my visit to one in K.G.F town of
Kolar district, Karnataka during summer vacations when I went to visit my aunt.
I still remember the use of word “Alum” for sedimentation process and the
strong scent of chlorine while disinfecting the water. It was not a huge
facility but was being used efficiently to supply water to some parts of
Bangalore too. I searched to find a purification plant in Hyderabad with a wish
to give them the same experience I have had, but I was thoroughly disappointed
to see none that matched my expectations. Though I found small one managed by Hyderabad
Municipal water works department, it wasn’t the one that can be showcased to
little learners at all. I did understand clearly then why even the water in
wash rooms is drinkable in developed countries while the water in kitchen
faucets is filtered again to make it potable in India.
My next thought moved on to
a milk processing plant. Yes, I could find one plant in Lalapet managed by AP
Dairy Development Cooperative and the products are available in market under
the brand name ‘Vijaya’. We had a field trip to that plant and had an excellent
experience. The children not only got to see the pasteurization tanks but also
the supply lines to various units where several milk products were made like
paneer, khoya and flavoured milk. They even saw the packing section and the
huge supply vans. The officials were very enthusiastic and were urging teachers
to educate children about the career prospects with Dairy industry with B tech
and M tech degrees in Dairy Technology. It brought to me the memory of seeing a
simple and routine “Meet and Greet” programme that ran in my daughter’s
elementary school where she gushed about meeting a fire fighter, a police
officer, a US senator or an attorney. I did feel that there is an immense need
for school students to be exposed to various careers and schools can play a
role in that.
I had also been with my
learners to Mrugavani National park at Chilkur on a nature expedition. My two
cents on this had been that these kinds of trips should come after some
learning happening in the class rooms to arouse their interest in the topic. A
trip to a super market or a bazaar makes sense only after we talk about either
handling money or learning about being an informed shopper (interpreting the
nutritional labels on the package).
My recent field trip was a
visit to an Army Unit that dealt with Artillery and heavy firing machines. It
started out with an excellent presentation by one young army officer. The young
man completely sold to the audience - the ethics and the values, Indian Army
stands by. It was very impressive and it struck me that the defending forces of
any country are thought always as forces of strength and aggression; however
what I saw that day was strength of character built by moral values
aggressively inculcated within them.
We moved out and saw a
display of tankers equipped with grenade rifles and Anti-aircraft guns. Another
officer explained the physics of this equipment and the need and use too. But I
must admit that I was very impressed with the ambulance tanker that was on
display there. The meticulous and resourceful planning that went in, to design
the vehicle to carry back the wounded soldiers from the battle field where only
tanker can reach, was incredible. It is no exaggeration when I say the trash
bin was given due importance in the design as an oxygen cylinder and mask. No
detail is small detail when you plan and a contingency is the most important
aspect of planning.
There are many more such
memories that have lead to my learning. I am sure you all will agree that one
could learn from a dog too, if willing to. Like John Grogan, the author
of Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog says “A person can
learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about
living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and
following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in
the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he
grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity.
Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else,
unwavering loyalty.”
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