San Francisco, CA – Learning came to life for Crystal Middle School students recently during a field trip to the California Academy of Sciences.
Students from Fairfield-Suisun’s Crystal Middle School in Suisun City traveled to the Academy of Sciences to view the museum’s Habitat Earth show and tour many exhibits on display.
The award-winning Habitat Earth planetarium show “features stunning visualizations of both biological and human-built networks (and of how they intersect), taking show-goers on an incredible, immersive journey through the interconnectedness of life on Earth,” according to the museum’s website.
Crystal Middle School students also visited the Steinhart Aquarium, where they marveled at colorful fish and vibrant sea creatures. The aquarium is one of the most biologically diverse and interactive aquariums on Earth, home to nearly 60,000 live animals representing more than 1,000 unique species.
Students also visited the museum’s Osher Rainforest, a four-story dome that is home to more than 1,600 live plants and animals simulating a lush, tropical environment.
"It’s moments like these that make science come alive for students and inspire them to keep exploring,” CMS science teacher Lucero Angel said.
Hands-on experiences at the exhibits sparked curiosity, with students interacting with touch tanks, observing live animals, and participating in interactive displays that deepened their understanding of science.
The field trip was not only educational but also fun, fostering a sense of wonder and excitement about the natural world and the importance of conservation. Students left the Academy with new knowledge and a fresh appreciation for the diverse ecosystems that make up our planet. It was a memorable day full of learning, discovery, and exploration.
"Today's field trip to the California Academy of Sciences has brought science to life in a way that no textbook ever could,” said Crystal Middle School science teacher Tara Spinelli. “The students were able to see firsthand the ecosystems we’ve been studying in the classroom, and they got to experience the wonder of nature in a truly interactive way.”
Crystal Middle School educates about 625 students of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds in grades 6 through 8.