Elementary School Field Trips

Social Studies: Fort Wayne and Indiana History – Grades 3, 4, 5

A 45-minute, on-river adventure that meets Indiana DOE standards for Fort Wayne and Indiana History.

Fort Wayne and Indiana History Standards: 3.1.1-9; 4.1.1-5; 5.1.3-7; 3.3.2; 4.3.9+10; 5.3.4, 5, 10; 3.3.11; 4.4.3; 5.4.1

Primary Topics:

  • Native inhabitants and Fort Wayne settlements/villages and lifestyle

  • Settlers and trade developments in Northeast Indiana

  • Wabash and Erie Canal, development and route through Fort Wayne

  • Early Indiana economy and statehood

  • Vocabulary and Fun Facts

Resources:

Routes & Highlights
Vocabulary
Fun Fact Quiz | Fun Fact Quiz Answers
Educational Resources

Adaptive Elementary Education Experience – Social Studies

(Funded by AWS Foundation)

These field trips are low stimulation in a calming environment covering a variety of social studies topics.

  • To better prepare students for this visit, we have some introductory videos that prepare new riders for a Sweet Breeze experience.

  • Sweet Breeze is accessible to all, including onboard restroom facilities and walkways/ramps.

  • AWS Foundation funds adaptive field trips at no cost to students.

Ecology Tour – Grades 4, 5 (three lessons)

A 45-minute, on-river adventure meets Indiana DOE standards focusing on STEM and science.

STEM and Science Standards: 4.LS.3; 5.LS.1; 5.LS.2; 4.ESS.3; 4.ESS.4, 5.ESS.3; 4.ESS.4; 5.ESS.3; 4.LS.2; 5.LS.2

Primary Topics:

  • Plankton Observation—Primary productivity and Plankton (Geological and biological change, human impact on natural environment/ecosystem

  • Watershed Observation—Geological change, human impact on the natural environment

  • Environment Observation—Native and non-native Invasive species, human protections and interactions with the rivers.

  • On-board river water sampling with a plankton net. Students will examine samples using a magnifying glass and/or digital microscope to observe plankton and phytoplankton. They will also use technology, projecting images on screen for closer observation. On-board observations allow students to identify natural versus human-made land impacts and investigate nonpoint source pollution with interactive watershed models.

  • Observation of plant and animal species living along the Fort Wayne rivers and observations of the human impact on the rivers, plants, and animal species.

View or download Worksheet – Indiana Animals