Amsterdam Educational Trips and Experiential Learning in Primary School

Why is experiential learning key in shaping future-ready individuals? What kind of experiences can educational trips provide to students at a young age? Educational trips are great experiences for students of all ages. They provide students with the opportunity to step into a dynamic world of experiential learning, where they can interact with different environments and cultures. In the heart of Europe, Amsterdam serves as an excellent destination for these enriching educational experiences. 

At Amity International School Amsterdam, located in the vibrant city of Amsterdam, we try to make use of the potential of our location by offering our students unique learning experiences outside the traditional classroom setting. Amsterdam has a lot to offer to students from the Early Years Programme (ages 3-6) to the Diploma Programme (16-18). This hands-on approach extends their learning experiences beyond their textbooks and four walls, creating memories that last a lifetime. 

In this blog, we’ll focus on the multifaceted benefits of educational trips for our Early and Primary Years students (ages 3 to 11), from fostering cultural insights and scientific curiosity to promoting personal growth and social responsibility.   

 

Educational Trips for Primary School Students in Amsterdam

Educational trips are an integral part of our curriculum. Amsterdam’s rich cultural tapestry, history, and diverse ecosystem offer many opportunities for exploration and knowledge acquisition. When it comes to the Early Years stages of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in IB, we believe this approach contributes to our students' cognitive, social and emotional development.  

1-    Exploration of cultural activities

The cultural tapestry of Amsterdam, from various cultural music performances to theatre performances in different languages, provides unique experiences for younger students.

A great example can be given from our Early Years (EY) students’ trip to the Black Cat Theatre in Amsterdam.

What did they do?

• Our EY students watched "Ahoy," an imaginative story about constructing a boat and embarking on a long trip into the unknown.

What kind of skills did they develop?

• Language and comprehension skills as they are exposed to new vocabulary and concepts
• Communication and etiquette as they interacted with their friends in a different environment and with adults who were strangers to them.
• Creative skills as they encountered several whales, dolphins, and other sea creatures during the play.
• Emotional regulation as they were in a new environment and learned to manage excitement, curiosity, or even anxiety on stage.

 

2-    Discovering nature

We believe that educational trips that focus on nature prove to be invaluable learning experiences for our Primary School (PY) students. Amsterdam is our playfield and offers many exploration opportunities such as forests, canals, and parks, for us to explore its diverse ecosystems and learn more about a topic close to our hearts: sustainability.

For instance, our PY students' trip to Amsterdam's canals was an amazing opportunity for them to enhance their understanding of concepts of ecosystems in the water as well as to improve essential skills.

What did they do?

• Our PY5 students worked together with Plastic Whale, a company that helps reduce water pollution by clearing plastic out of Amsterdam's canals. During their educational experience, our students collected 15 bin bags full of litter and plastic from the water (along with some very odd items such as cushions, shoes, toys etc.).

 

 

What kind of skills did they develop?

• Analytical and comprehension skills as they learned about water systems, and their impact on biodiversity and discussed ways to protect the ecosystem.
• Cooperation and teamwork skills as they worked together  
• Self-confidence by participating in new and challenging activities
• Feeling accomplished by making a positive difference in our community
• Basic practical life skills such as learning to be cautious and safe, acting based on their surroundings as well as reading a map and learning basic navigation skills

 

3-    Investigating different systems

We think experiential trips give our young learners the chance to learn about our society: it's a fascinating introduction for them to the world of work and the different roles people play These trips can help our children understand the basics of the various systems in our lives, how our societies function and the importance of various professions in our society.

As an example, our PY2 students’ trip to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol can be given. The trip aimed to draw our students’ focus on different systems, jobs and their roles in society.

What did they do?

They explored the Transport system by going to the airport. Our students first walked to a bus stop and took two buses to make it to the Schiphol Airport. Afterwards, they explored the system at one of the busiest airports in Europe. Also, they discussed how the train system and the bus system are all connected.

What kind of skills did they develop?

• Observation and comprehension skills as they observed how tickets were issued, watched how luggage was handled, and understood the logistics of travel.
• Communication skills as they met the bus drivers, train conductors and airport workers and asked them questions about how the systems work.
• Basic travel etiquette as they were travelling with a group of people.

 

In conclusion, educational trips provide tremendous benefits for students of all ages. While they may seem like just a break from the classroom, they offer much more than that. These trips allow our students in Primary School to engage in experiential learning, immersing them in diverse environments and cultures. It supports their cognitive, social and emotional skills.  We believe, Amsterdam, situated in the heart of Europe, stands out as a perfect destination for such enriching educational experiences. From cultural activities to nature field trips and educational trips about systems, Amsterdam offers various chances for exploration and learning opportunities for our Primary Students.