Educational Tours | EA Educational Advantage Tours

Hello educational travelers!

Jeff is back for you today with another wonderful Washington, D.C. post. Enjoy!

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. are encouraged to stop at the National Building Museum, located at 401 F. Street NW. Historically known as the Pension Building, the museum is dedicated to the study of architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning. It hosts various temporary exhibits in galleries around the spacious Great Hall. The building itself was completed as a brick structure in 1887 and is notable for several architectural features, including the spectacular interior columns and a frieze which stretches around the exterior of the building, depicting Civil War soldiers. The building originally housed federal employees needed to implement and administer the pension benefits Congress passed after the Civil War to care for veterans and their survivors and dependents.

Educational student tours to Washington, D.C. will discover that the old Pension Bureau Building was reconstituted in the 1960’s to become a museum devoted to the building arts. It is also the locale for the annual Christmas in Washington program, filmed at the museum with the President and First Lady. It also serves as a stunning site for one of the quadrennial Presidential balls. Student tours to Washington, D.C. will also want to include a stop at the National Building Museum Shop which has been honored as the “best all-around museum shop by the Washington Post. The shop sells books about the built environment and an array of housewares, educational toys, watches, and items for offices, all with an emphasis on design.

Until next time,

Jeff.

Hello educational travelers!

Enjoy this new blog post from Jeff!

Educational student tours to Washington, D.C. require a stop at the National Archives Museum, located on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th streets, NW. The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent federal agency that preserves and shares the public records that trace the story of America, its government and people. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, record centers, and Presidential libraries.

Student tours to Washington, D.C. will learn that the same designer of the Jefferson Memorial, John Alexander Pope, designed the National Archives building as a temple to history. The majestic domed ceiling of the Rotunda rises seventy feet above the floor and the bronze doors are forty feet tall. The orientation plaza is a gathering place which introduces guests to the National Archives and features an original 1297 Magna Carta, a document that inspired our Founding Fathers and an exhibition tracing the evolution of constitutional rights in the United States.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. will find the McGowan Theater hosting special lectures and public programs on the lower level of the museum. The upper level includes the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, publicly displaying the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These are the most important documents of American history, and the display of which will surely make your educational tour to Washington, D.C. one you will never forget!

Until next time,

Jeff.

Hello educational travelers!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday and looking forward to this holiday weekend. Jeff  is back with another post that’s perfect for this Easter.

Enjoy!

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. should look forward to November of this year when the Museum of the Bible will open to the public. Located just three blocks south of the U. S. Capitol, it will stand eight stories high and have 430,000 square feet dedicated to the Bible. The structure will be the most technologically advanced museum in the world providing guests with an immersive and personalized experience as they explore the history, narrative, and impact of the Bible on their student tours to Washington, D.C.

Educational student tours to Washington, D.C. will first find the Narrative floor where the adventure and drama of the Bible come to life in riveting presentations. Visitors will walk through the narratives of the Hebrew text from Genesis to Chronicles and then through first-century Nazareth, ending with the New Testament. Next is the History floor, showcasing archaeological discoveries through modern cinematic storytelling. It features more than 500 world class artifacts that document the Bible’s preservation over centuries.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. will then experience the Impact floor which explores the Bible’s impact over time on cultures, civilization, and daily life, including its profound influence on fine arts, science, government, and more. Visitors are invited to share their own stories on their educational tours to Washington, D.C. at the Museum of the Bible.

Have a Happy Easter,

Jeff.

Hello educational travelers!

Jeff is back with another wonderful post about a place you may not be familiar with.

Read on to see what it is.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. make a mistake if they miss stopping by the national historic site at 1318 Vermont Avenue in northwest Washington. Located there is the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House which interprets the life and legacy of the late great Mary McLeod Bethune. From 1943 to 1966, the house served as the first headquarters for the National Council of Negro Women and was where Bethune lived and worked from 1943 until 1949.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. will discover that Mary McLeod Bethune was a renowned educator, organizer, national political leader, president of the National Association of Colored Women, and founder of the National Council of Negro Women. Bethune achieved her greatest national and international recognition at the site. She and the council spearheaded strategies and developed programs that advanced the interests of African American women and the black community.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. will learn that the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House was designated as a national historic site by President Ronald Reagan in 1982. On December 11, 1991 the National Park Service was authorized to acquire and manage the property, and it was opened to the public as a national park system site on October 1, 1995. Mary McLeod Bethune used the power of education, political activism, and civil service to achieve racial and gender equality throughout the United States and world. Discover her great legacy on one of your next educational student tours to Washington, D.C.

Until next time,

Jeff.

Happy Wednesday educational travelers!

Jeff is back with another post today. Read on to learn more about the National Zoo in our nation’s capital.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. warm the hearts of animal lovers of all ages at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, otherwise known as the National Zoo, located in the heart of northwest Washington and covering 163 acres. The zoo began as the dream of William T. Hornaday, who was chief taxidermist at the Smithsonian in the mid-1880’s. While visiting the western states in 1887 Hornaday was stunned and horrified at the lack of large herds of American bison. Millions of the great animals had been hunted to near extinction. Only a few hundred remained. Hornaday returned to the capital with not only bison, but fourteen other endangered animals to live on the National Mall. He became the first head of the Department of Living Animals at the Smithsonian and the animals would become the first inhabitants of the National Zoological Park. President Grover Cleveland officially signed an act of Congress creating the Zoo in 1889, and it officially opened in 1891.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. will learn of animal care and conservation science at the Zoo. Since its founding, the Zoo has celebrated many milestones, from endangered species births, to reintroductions to the wild, to revolutionary scientific studies. A fan favorite are the giant pandas, first brought to the Zoo as a gift to President Richard Nixon from Chairman Mao Tse Tung of China in 1972. Today, over 1800 animals representing 300 species are cared for at the Zoo. Scientists study and breed more than 20 species, including those that were once extinct in the wild, like black-footed ferrets and scimitar-horned oryx. Educational tours to Washington, D.C. can’t go wrong by visiting the National Zoo. And, for the budget conscious, the price of admission is a real bargain- it’s free!

Until next time,

Jeff.

Hello educational travelers!

Today, I’m back with another post from one of our featured writers, Jeff.

I hope you enjoy!

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. mix affairs of state and religion in the finest way by visiting our National Cathedral, located at the corner of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues in the northwest quadrant of the capital city on a piece of land known as Mount St. Alban. The dream of a national cathedral dates to the earliest days of the country, when President George Washington and famed architect Pierre L’Enfant imagined a “great church for national purposes.” More than a century would pass before Congress granted a charter to the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation of D.C., allowing it to establish the church. The most commanding spot in the entire Washington area was chosen as the site from which the great cathedral would rise, and its foundation stone was laid in 1907 as President Theodore Roosevelt addressed a crowd of about 10,000. Bethlehem Chapel opened for services in 1912.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. will marvel at the stunning architecture of the Cathedral, rising 676 feet above sea level. It weighs 150,000 tons and cost $65 million to build. It wasn’t completed until 1990! 288 angels adorn its two west towers. The north rose (its largest stained glass window) has a diameter of 26 feet across. 112 gargoyles also guard the imposing structure. The great organ has 10,650 pipes. Over 220 people are buried in the cathedral including Woodrow Wilson and Helen Keller. Almost half a million visitors and worshippers come to the Cathedral annually. Make sure you do, too, on your next educational tour to Washington, D.C.

Until next time,

Jeff.

Hello educational travelers and happy Monday!

Today’s museum Monday post comes from one of our contributing writers, Jeff. Enjoy!

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. would be well advised to visit the National Academy of Sciences Marian Koshland Science Museum located at 525 E Street, NW, three blocks from the National Mall, one block from the Verizon Center, and one block from the National Building Museum. The museum invites teens and adults to interact with current day scientific issues in a thought-provoking setting. Students use science to solve problems and engage in stimulating conversations with others. In the exhibits, interactive displays illustrate the role of science in informing public policy that affects our lives. Three interactive exhibits encourage exploration with bold designs and in-depth information.

At the Earth Lab: Degrees of Change, students and teachers on an educational tour of Washington, D.C. will learn about the causes of climate change, its impacts and potential solutions. Students examine observed changes, explore the sources of carbon dioxide and discover regional impacts across the globe. Play acting is encouraged as students become policy makers deciding how to respond to climate change in the exhibit’s unique simulation game.

At the Life Lab, educational tour participants will explore the science of healthy living and learn about how the brain works in a digital interactive experience. Students play a brain game to learn how to grow a healthy mind through the choices made throughout life. Videos are made and stories shared with others. Skills are tested at the driving simulator to see how well one can handle distractions.

Finally, at the Idea Lab, students and teachers will explore resilience in a multimedia space where the museum is experimenting with new approaches in collaboration with its visitors. Here, students will immerse themselves in video clips, interactive games, and puzzles. By visiting the Koshland Science Museum, teachers and their students will be informed, amused and entertained by various situations they’ll be faced with in their lives and communities.

Until next time,

Jeff.

 

Hello educational travelers!

It’s been a while, but I’m excited to get back to writing fun and exciting educational blog posts for you, my readers!

Today, I’ll be sharing with you the great country of China, and why it should be included on your next student tour to Asia.

Over the holidays, I had the most thrilling opportunity to travel back to China with my family and visit its capital, Beijing, as well as Hong Kong, one of my all time favorite international destinations. More on our outings and excursions in future blog posts. For now though, I want to share with you the joys of traveling to China.

Asia, and China especially, has always evoked interest from those in the West. Seen as a distant and mysterious land, this vast country has been home to great and powerful dynasties and staggering cultural progress. Having shut its doors off to the rest of world for some time during the 20th century, China has reopened them and is welcoming visitors to explore their rich and unique history. And what a more perfect way than on an educational student tour!

China is a nation that is constantly transforming. Fast-pace development thrives alongside historical landmarks with old China becoming a thing of the past. One could literally spend a lifetime trying to absorb all it has to offer because of its vastness and complex history.

As the world’s second largest economy, China has both fascinated and enchanted me. Home to some of the world’s most iconic sights, China is a country like no other. On a student tour, participants will learn about China’s culture and become familiar with its geography. You will visit such prominent cities as Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an to name just a few. As well as having the chance to explore such landmarks as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Terracotta warriors that call these great cities home.

Don’t let the size of China scare you though because on an EA student tour, one will come back with a greater understanding of this rapidly expanding country. As participants, you will be exposed to all aspects of Chinese culture, from a stroll through the local markets to indulging in a Peking duck dinner and admiring the care that goes into honoring a traditional tea ceremony. As students and teachers, you will visit the remarkable sights this grand country has to offer.

Traveling brings people closer together, so come see and experience an EA student tour to China and love every second as you show your students the wonders of the world.

Have a great weekend,

Kate.

Welcome to another edition of Museum Monday travelers!

For today’s post, Jeff is sharing with you the newest museum to open its doors in our nation’s capital. I hope you enjoy!

An educational trip to Washington, D.C. by necessity includes at least a day of walking through the many wonderful museums of the Smithsonian Institute. Opening a few months ago is the latest addition to our nation’s greatest collection of centers of artifacts and memorabilia, the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Located on the National Mall within eye sight of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, the museum has close to thirty-seven thousand objects related to such subjects as community, family, the arts, religion, civil rights, slavery and segregation. It will undoubtedly become a required stop on every student tour of Washington, D.C.

Students who are on an educational tour of Washington, D.C. will learn of the hundred year struggle to establish a federally owned museum featuring African American history and culture. The modern effort began in the 1970s and finally led to authorization of the museum under President George W. Bush who shared a famous hug with First Lady Michelle Obama at the dedication and opening in September. African American history began here in 1619 with the arrival of ship born slaves before the Mayflower even set sail from England and culminated with the election of Barack Obama in 2008.

Artifacts housed at the museum include items owned by Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, Louis Armstrong, Pearl Bailey, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, and Gabby Douglas, among others. A Jim Crow era railroad car, segregated drinking fountain, and feet and wrist manacles shock visitors into imagining the horrors inflicted upon an entire race of people. Every classroom will benefit from visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture on their next student trip to Washington, D.C.

Have a great Monday,

Jeff.

Hello educational travelers and Happy Wednesday!

You’ve made it to the middle of the week and the weekend is finally within sight; so hang in there!

As I was thinking about what kind of educational travel blog post I wanted to share with y’all today, it occurred to me that part of the student travel experience is understanding why places should be visited. With that thought, I’ve decided to dedicate Wednesday blog posts to the why of travel.

Throughout all my years of travel, I’ve realized that there are an abundance of opportunities that come with traveling educationally. I have been so fortunate to travel to some of the world’ greatest cities, and I want to share my knowledge with future student travelers who want to experience the same things. With each Wednesday why post, I’ll share in great detail the enriching moments that can stem from asking why should I travel? Why should I visit the “City of Lights?” Why is it important to understand the differing cultures of the world? Most importantly though, why should I encounter all of these beautiful cities, culture, people, styles of food, and museums among other things on an educational student tour?

Well, have no fear! My hope is that through reading my travel posts, you will develop an understanding of why it’s so important to experience the world through other people’s ways of life. I hope that you’ll find helpful information about important landmarks and points of interest and learn about the origins of travel all while creating lifelong memories.

So will you join me?

In the spirit of travel,

Kate.