Day Trip Program Categories

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ADVANCED ROBOTICS

Get an introduction to programming logic and problem solving by utilizing LEGO® EV3 robots and Mindstorm software. Students will complete a series of challenges through robotic automation, including loops and sensor interactions.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AND ADAPTATION

Day Trip

Observe fascinating behaviors and adaptations of animals. Students will explore a variety of living things and participate in guided-inquiry activities. Live animal encounters enhance the experience.

Animal Life Cycles

Day Trip

Students will explore animal life cycles from birth through death. Using live animals, Museum specimens and interactive stations, they will compare the life cycles of different animals while recognizing there are similarities and differences among individuals of the same species.

Applied Improv for Autistic, Developmentally Disabled and Special Needs Students

Assembly/Performance ; Day Trip ; Out-of-School-Time ; Professional Development ; Residency ; Workshop

We’ve all heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Maybe that explains why more and more clinicians are recommending applied improv as a therapeutic modality for people with mental health disorders such as developmental disabilities including autism and other special needs. The research in this area has shown that improvisation has a discernible positive effect in improving communication and prosocial behaviors in individuals with autism, developmental disabilities and other special needs. We “play” improvisational theatre related warm up games and perform other improv related activities applicable for your students.

Australian Culture with Paul Taylor (Multidiscipline Residencies, Performances and Workshops)

Day Trip ; Out-of-School-Time ; Professional Development ; Residency ; Workshop

Paul Taylor has performed and taught for over 300,000 American children. His educational concerts present Australian culture in story and song for elementary, middle and high school. Paul performs to all ages, Wonders Down Under, Australian Music & Stories, an interactive multifaceted performance adapted to any age level. Paul presents audiences with a unique look at the wonderful Aussie character through an exciting blending of, stories, songs, dance, painting, theatre and didgeridoo, drawing comparisons in American history and culture. Focusing on many of our cultural icons it honors both Aboriginal and European roots. Paul is mentored by Aboriginal custodian Yidumduma Bill Harney and presents Bush University, featuring rock art with creation stories. Bush University is the Aboriginal term for the School of Nature, learning and paying attention to the plants, birds, animals, insects, the land, that are alive with story and song and constantly teaching us, reminding us of our primary role as humans, to be the custodians, to care for the natural world. Bush University is interactive and can be adapted to any audience. WORKSHOPS/RESIDENCIES; Paul Taylor offers twelve workshops in Australian culture, music and stories and one week residencies for elementary, middle and high school. Paul’s residencies with students are a blend of storytelling; theater; visual arts in the form of murals, traditional rock art, and craft such as didjeridoo painting; folk music of Australia including song, story songs and traditional instruments; folk dance; geography; history; and social studies. The objectives achieved in Taylor’s presentations are: – To introduce students to the European migration to Australia through storytelling theater. – To present Australian culture as it was in the founding of the country and as it is today through interactive songs and stories. – To draw parallels between US history and Australian history. – To introduce students to the culture and traditional stories of both European and Aboriginal Australia. – To introduce students to the Aboriginal music, instruments and art. – To explain the physics found in the sounds of transitional instruments and in the workings of the boomerang. Paul presents traditional instruments and song from both the European and Aboriginal cultures. The presentations include the context, language and story of several folk songs; traditional instruments such as the didjeridoo, boomerang, lagerphone and clap stick; the purpose of song and the songlines in the Aboriginal tradition.

BACKYARD BIOLOGY

Day Trip

Let’s explore our backyards! Students will compare characteristics of plants and animals, discover what they need to survive and learn about their life cycles. They will take a close look at how humans can both negatively and positively affect the environment.

Blue Skies and Starry Nights

Day Trip

Students will immerse themselves in a planetarium experience and discover the differences between the day and night sky. Using live solar system models, students will recognize changes in the moon from day to day and even simulate a solar eclipse!

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

Day Trip

Explore how sound travels and the process that turns vibrations into sound through fun experiments. Understand how sound waves, volume and pitch affect how we hear sound.

Carolina Critters

Day Trip

Children will explore several groups of animals while comparing the differences and similarities between animals in each group. Using live animals and artifacts, they will investigate animals up close.

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte Field Trip for K-12

Assembly/Performance ; Day Trip

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a professional theatre company serving young people and families. It selects scripts for artistic merit, audience appeal, curricular ties, variety of ages served, themes explored, diversity of programming and ties to our mission. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte hires professional directors, actors and designers from around the country. Additionally, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte employs a full production staff to build sets, design costumes and more. As stated in its core values, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is dedicated to excellence. It strives for professionalism and outstanding artistry in all its efforts. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte offers weekday performances of professionally produced plays and musicals for school audiences. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s home at ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center features two performance spaces, the 550-seat McColl Family Theatre and the 250-seat Wells Fargo Playhouse. Serving a wide age range, these productions have set a new standard for professional theatre in our region. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s 2019-20 season features: * ANNIE BOOK BY THOMAS MEEHAN MUSIC BY CHARLES STROUSE LYRICS BY MARTIN CHARNIN ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION DIRECTED BY MARTIN CHARNIN BASED ON “LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE”® | BY PERMISSION OF TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC Sept 21 – Oct 21, 2022 | McColl Family Theatre | For 1st Grade and up Note: Two Acts, approx. 2 hours with a “stretch break” Set in New York City against the backdrop of the Great Depression, little orphan Annie does her best to hang on ‘til tomorrow come what may. After enduring hardship at the hands of evil Miss Hannigan, a new family breathes hope into the heart of everyone’s favorite spunky hero. THEMES: HOPE, JUSTICE, OPTIMISM JACKIE ROBINSON: A GAME APART WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY MIKE WILEY Nov 9-18, 2022 | Wells Fargo Playhouse | For 4th Grade and up Step back in time and up to the plate as Mike Wiley’s one-man show highlights the triumphs and struggles of baseball legend Jackie Robinson’s life. This powerful story takes you from the field where Robinson was adored as a first-rate athlete to beyond the stadium walls where he was treated as a second-hand citizen. THEMES: COURAGE, PERSEVERANCE, LEADERSHIP THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL BY JAHNNA BEECHAM & MALCOLM HILLGARTNER ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK BY BARBARA ROBINSON ORCHESTRATIONS AND VOCAL ARRANGEMENTS BY DEBORAH WICKS LA PUMA PRODUCED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH BROADWAY LICENSING Nov 30 – Dec 15, 2022 | McColl Family Theatre | For 1st Grade and up The Herdmans are ready to wreak havoc! What happens when the “worst kids in the history of the world” find out about free food at Sunday school? What if they decide to audition for the annual Christmas pageant? This hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy, adapted from Barbara Robinson’s classic story, will have your family laughing and crying as we celebrate the holidays. THEMES: COMMUNITY, TRADITIONS, BELONGING, EMPATHY CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER BULLY ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY MICHELLE HOPPE-LONG BASED ON THE BOOKS CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER BULLY BY TRUDY LUDWIG, ILLUSTRATED BY BETH ADAMS; AND MY SECRET BULLY BY TRUDY LUDWIG, ILLUSTRATED BY ABIGAIL MARBLE Jan 10-20, 2023 | Wells Fargo Playhouse | For 2nd Grade and up When Katie, who never considered herself a bully, repeatedly teases classmate Monica, it pushes their friendship to a tipping point. Katie’s hurtful words and behavior lead her to the principal’s office to deal with the consequence of her actions with a counselor. Will she be able to salvage a friendship and regain the trust of her peers? Told from the perspective of the bully and the bullied, this story makes everyone consider how they treat others and want to be treated themselves. THEMES: BULLYING, FRIENDSHIP ALLIE KAZAN AND THE MAGIC MANSION BOOK AND LYRICS BY JAHNNA BEECHAM AND MICHAEL J. HUME BOOK, MUSIC AND LYRICS BY MALCOLM HILLGARTNER BOOK AND MAGIC BY STEVE MARSHALL Feb 2-17, 2023 | McColl Family Theatre | For 1st – 4th Grades You won’t believe your eyes as finalists at the 50th anniversary of the Young Masters of Magic competition face-off for the prized Golden Key. Who will win Marvellini’s prized possession that unlocks the secrets to the master magician’s greatest illusions? Don’t miss this brand-new musical where Allie and company keep you wondering – what’s real and what’s magic? THEMES: MAGIC, MYSTERY, ADVENTURE SUNJATA KAMALENYA: THE STORY OF THE TRUE LION KING OF AFRICA WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER PARKS DRAMATURGY BY ERICA NAGEL HISTORICAL CONSULTANT DAVID CONRAD CHOREOGRAPHY BY DYANE HARVEY MUSICAL COMPOSITION BY BALLA KOUYATÉ Mar 1-3, 2023 | McColl Family Theatre | For 1st – 6th Grades When a wandering hunter comes to the village of Farrakoro with a wild prediction, questions are raised. How could a crippled boy and his outcast mother save their nation from an evil warlord? Celebrate the greatest hero of West African culture in this interactive production that takes place in a magical world filled with sorcery and enchantment. THEMES: OVERCOMING ODDS, CULTURE THE NIGHT DIARY ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY MUKTA PHATAK BASED ON THE BOOK THE NIGHT DIARY BY VEERA HIRANANDANI BOOK COVER ILLUSTRATION USED BY PERMISSION OF PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE | DESIGNED AND ILLUSTRATED BY KELLEY BRADY DRAMATURGY BY ANURAG WADEHRA Mar 8-24, 2023 | Wells Fargo Playhouse | For 3rd Grade and up Twelve-year-old Nisha is half-Muslim and half-Hindu struggling to figure out where she belongs. Her personal conflict deepens as India – the country she lives in – is divided into pieces during the Partition of 1947. When her father decides it’s too dangerous to stay where they are, they embark on a long and dangerous journey as refugees. Told through her journal entries to her mother, this stirring and heartfelt story reminds us that home is more than a place. It’s a feeling and a sense of belonging that comes from within. THEMES: IDENTITY, LOSS, HOPEFULNESS DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS BASED ON THE BOOK BY MO WILLEMS PUBLISHED BY HYPERION BOOKS FOR CHILDREN SCRIPT BY MO WILLEMS AND MR. WARBURTON LYRICS BY MO WILLEMS MUSIC BY DEBORAH WICKS LA PUMA DRAMATURGY BY MEGAN ALRUTZ Apr 4 – May 5, 2023 | McColl Family Theatre | For PreK – 2nd Grades When a persistent pigeon decides he must drive the bus, he’ll stop at nothing to get behind the wheel. Laugh your way through and get ready to shout “No!” as celebrated author Mo Willems’ award-winning book comes to life on stage. THEMES: RESPONSIBILITY, PERSUASION, ACCOUNTABILITY THE GATHERING CREATED BY THE CHEROKEE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION & PRESENTED BY CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE A PLAY BY MARION WAGGONER Apr 18-21, 2023 | Wells Fargo Playhouse | For 5th Grade and up The relationship of Lizzie and Elon gets off to a rocky start when the two students from totally different walks of life meet at a conference on cultural diversity. By the end of the day, they manage to bridge the gap between understanding life on a Native American Reservation and that of a small mid-western community. THEMES: NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY, DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES, CULTURAL AWARENESS * All productions meet specific language and theatre arts curriculum standards. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte has designed teacher resource guides, which provide innovative connections to additional Common Core and North Carolina Essential Standards, to complement each production, deepen the theatre experience, extend the educational value and spark classroom conversations. Guides include information about the author/playwright, discussion questions, vocabulary words, recommended reading lists and engaging activities. Convenient bus lane and other amenities help field trips go smoothly and efficiently. An average of 350 schools from Mecklenburg and 19 surrounding counties bring their students to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte to experience the magic of live professional theatre.

Classifying Critters

Day Trip ; Workshop

Children will be introduced to some of the Museum’s Amazing Animal Ambassadors. These lively Museum residents will inspire children to make observations and raise questions as they discover similarities, differences and the defining characteristics of groups of animals

Community Helpers

Day Trip

Community helpers are people whose jobs help the community be a better place. Children will explore different jobs to better understand the important role these helpers have in our community.

CONCEPTS OF CHEMISTRY

Day Trip

Calling all future chemists! Students will mix molecules, investigate rate-altering chemical manipulations and watch as it all goes out with a bang. Lab safety skills will be reviewed.

Creative Builders

Day Trip

Grab your hard hat, gloves and safety goggles and join our construction crew. Children will discover how to use tools in a safe environment, create original blueprints and experiment with simple machines.

Day of Dance Program-Career Readiness

Day Trip ; Out-of-School-Time ; Workshop

Charlotte Ballet’s Day of Dance is an educational experience for students at our facility in Uptown Charlotte. Through this program, we aim to expand students’ knowledge of the field and fuel a strong appreciation for the arts by shedding light on the inner workings of an arts organization. Students will: Receive a behind-the-scenes tour(featuring a tour of of costume shop from sketch to completion, viewing of a company or pre-professional rehearsal and a facility tour) Take a master class Lear about careers in dance through a Q&A with Charlotte Ballet staff (Marketing, finance, education, community engagement, production, development and more)

Dig into Earth Science

Day Trip

Children will explore the world beneath their feet as they use science tools, including magnets and scales, to measure and describe the properties of earth materials. They will then determine uses for natural materials and discover the living and nonliving things in the soil.

DNA Detectives

Day Trip

Explore genotypes, phenotypes, alleles and traits. Students will gain a deeper understanding of genes and heredity through a series of guided inquiry experiments and investigations.

DRIP DRIP Drought

Day Trip

Dive into the amazing natural resource that is water and learn about the hydrosphere. Students will conduct water quality testing, discover the importance of water conservation and availability and learn about the water cycles.

Earth, Moon & The Great Beyond

Day Trip

How well do you know your solar neighbors? Students will create a scale map of our solar system while learning about our other planets, as well as conducting an inquiry investigation on the moon’s phases

ECOSYSTEM EXPLORATIONS

Day Trip

Travel the world inside the classroom and explore characteristics of several ecosystems, including oceans, forests and grasslands. Students will meet Animal Ambassadors and discover the functions they serve within an ecosystem

Educational Theater Performances-Nutcracker, Innovative Works and Peter Pan

Day Trip

Charlotte Ballet offers exceptional, low-cost theater performances for students. Students have the opportunity to: Learn about ballet and dance Experience a live, professional performance tailored just for students Ask the dancers questions during a Q&A Visit a beautiful theater in Uptown Charlotte For Teachers: Complimentary online multimedia study guides are provided before the performance to enhance student appreciation and understanding. These guides include sample lesson plans guaranteed to engage students. Nutcracker (Appropriate for grades K-12) Celebrate the sights and sounds of the holidays at Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker! This unwavering holiday spectacular is complete with extravagant sets and costumes, the treasured Tchaikovsky score and of course, a magnificent snowfall on the Belk Theater stage. Feel the magic in the air as we follow Clara on her timeless adventure to the whimsical Land of Sweets and encounter some familiar friends and foes along the way. Innovative Works (Appropriate for grades 6-12) Innovation is unlimited in this fan-favorite series. We welcome for the first time Jennifer Archibald, founder and director of the Arch Dance Company in New York City and Cincinnati Ballet’s resident choreographer. Also featured will be the 2021 Guggenheim Fellow and University of North Carolina School of the Arts alum Helen Simoneau, whose dance-making explores proximity, intimacy and personal space. The third work for the program will be announced soon. Peter Pan (Appropriate for grades K-12) Let your imagination soar on a magical journey to Neverland with Peter, Wendy, Tinker Bell and the rest of your favorite Neverland characters. This never-before-seen version of Peter Pan with new choreography by Christopher Stuart lets audiences uncover the mysteries of Peter’s life before his famous adventures and is sure to leave you feeling like you can fly. Just beware, you may encounter some pirates, crocodiles, and pixie dust during your journey…

Educators, Administrators and School/Educational Organizations Personnel Team & Skill Building with Applied Improv

Assembly/Performance ; Day Trip ; Out-of-School-Time ; Professional Development ; Residency ; Workshop

Listening is an important part of being an educator in any context. It is a way of “looking for the truth and the interesting things in what students are saying and not just trying to set them up to say the things you want them to say.” Applied improv for educators/administrators/school personnel build teamwork, listening skills, and curious thinking. All skills that are important to educators as well. What is really cool about appliced improv is it’s a way to physically and emotionally experience concepts in a safe space. A space that removes expectations of judgment and builds a foundation for people to support one another in achieving a goal. You have this visceral, physical reaction to it — in a room, playing a game, rather than just hearing somebody say ‘you should make more mistakes’ or ‘this is why failure is good. There is something experiential but safe about applied improv that allows you to play around with and internalize these larger concepts. Amongst many fun and highly interactive activities, participants introduce themselves verbally, gesture physically, move often in an open space, ask for consent before touching others, speak in pairs or small groups, and orient themselves in circles or front-facing arrangements. Participants turn to their partner(s) and say “thank you” after each activity ends and before forming new groups. Thank you is important because it gets us out of our head and reminds us of the value of people around us. Participants celebrate mistakes by raising their hands and exclaiming, “woo-hoo!” As time passes, participants in applied improve grow more comfortable with the activities and with one another, and eventually start passing an invisible ball while making different made-up sounds. These improv skills are especially relevant to educators: how to be present and fully listen, how to be spontaneous and celebrate failure, and how to share control.” At the end of the workshop, participants gather in a circle and reflect on their experiences as a group, with mentions of expanding their comfort zones, learning the value of being a little goofy, and some wondering — can we create a new extracurricular applied improv club?

ENERGETIC CONTRAPTIONS

Day Trip

Brace yourself for physics in action! Discover how catapults work and what their uses are both in the past and today. Students will utilize the design process and their engineering skills as they build and test catapults.

Energizing Ecosystems

Day Trip

Students will follow the energy through an ecosystem as they explore the interconnected relationships of food, water, and nutrients. Meeting Animal Ambassadors and interacting with hands-on stations will help students understand factors and relationships that affect populations in an ecosystem

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