Field Trip Topics & Learning Resources
Connect Your Classroom to Our Region
Explore the landscapes, wildlife, and human stories of the Mid-Columbia region with the REACH Museum. Browse field trip topics and available learning resources to connect regional science and history with your classroom.
Planning a museum visit, introducing a new topic, or extending students’ learning afterward? Start with a topic below. For program options, grade levels, pricing, and scheduling, visit our Field Trips & Classroom Visits page.
Water & Connections
Columbia River Resources
Explore how the Columbia River connects people, wildlife, and landscapes. Introduce students to the river’s role in regional ecosystems and human history.
Learning connections: River habitats, animal adaptations, natural resources, and regional history.
Habitats & Wildlife
Shrub-Steppe Ecosystems
Discover the living landscape surrounding the Hanford Reach. Explore how plants and animals survive in an arid environment and how organisms depend on one another.
Learning connections: Native plants, wildlife adaptations, food webs, soil crusts, and ecosystem relationships.
Rocks & Landforms
Geologic Past
Investigate the forces that shaped the Mid-Columbia region. Connect local rocks and landforms with the story of ancient lava flows, changing landscapes, and Ice Age floods.
Learning connections: Rocks and minerals, basalt flows, fossils, Ice Age floods, and landscape change.
History & Science
Hanford: Manhattan Project & Beyond
Explore the science and human stories of Hanford, from the communities that preceded the Manhattan Project to World War II, the Cold War, and environmental cleanup.
Learning connections: Historical artifacts, community change, nuclear science, and environmental challenges.
Freshwater Science
River Mile Crayfish Study
Connect students with freshwater ecology through the study of crayfish. Explore how scientific observations and data help us understand river habitats and invasive species.
Learning connections: Crayfish anatomy, freshwater food webs, invasive species, observation, and data collection.
Early Learners
Preschool Nature Exploration
Help young learners notice, wonder, and discover the natural world. Build early science connections through sensory exploration, seasonal observations, and guided discovery.
Learning connections: Observation, seasonal changes, plants, animals, and exploring with the senses.
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Bring These Topics to Life for Your Students
Explore field trips to the REACH Museum and classroom visits with our educators. Find program details, grade levels, pricing, and information about arranging a learning experience for your group.
Plan a Field Trip or Classroom VisitNeed help choosing a topic? Email Pauline Schafer or call 509-943-4100 ext. 113 .