Principal Patty Semet offers advice about the On-Tour Activities guide
When Smithsonian Student Travel first began developing the new On-Tour Activities guide, we called upon the expertise of Patty Semet, principal of Downe Academy in Dividing Creek, New Jersey. As founder of Semester USA, a non-profit organization that enables educators to experience the full scope of the United States for themselves, Patty is passionate about educational travel and how it can engage both students and teachers in the learning process. In the following interview, Patty discusses her involvement with the guide’s development and how teachers can use this new resource to enhance the on-tour experience.
Q. How did you first become involved with Smithsonian Student Travel?
A. I actually started working with EF and Smithsonian Student Travel two years ago. From my own experience with cross-country travel, I’ve found that you bring a whole sense of enthusiasm for teaching when you’ve actually visited the places you’re teaching about.
Q. What was the motivation to create this On-Tour Activities guide?
A. In the past, we emphasized the creation of tour portfolios, which are geared toward teachers who want to do pre-tour work with their students. But in this case, Smithsonian Student Travel wanted to improve the on-tour education piece. The thought was: How can we engage the students in learning when they’re at the actual site?
Q. How will this guide enhance the on-tour experience for student travelers?
A. Through these activities, students not only observe the site, but they take the information that they find and actually apply that knowledge to a final product—even if it’s something as lighthearted as a funny jingle. Then while they’re at the site, the students present that product to the group. It gets students to interact with the other kids on tour and helps bring the group together as a learning community.
Q. How do these activities fit in with educational objectives?
A. The activities were aligned with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills goals and objectives for the 21st century student. These activities are designed to prepare students for the type of work they will encounter in the corporate world. Students must gather knowledge and then apply that knowledge to complete a task or produce a product. In addition, they’re using the 21st-century goals of collaboration, teamwork, responsibility and communication.
Q. How do you envision teachers using this resource?
A. Ahead of time, teachers should look through the activities in the guide and choose two main sites on tour. Then based on their intelligences, students will be assigned a task. Then the group will gather at the tour site to do brief presentations and share their work. The presentations are a big piece of this type of learning experience.
Q. What advice would you give to teachers about how to best use this new resource?
A. Don’t worry about getting it right. Approach the tasks with a free-spirited attitude and enjoy the experience of learning. The activities are designed to allow students to experience the locations and see how fun educational travel can be. Your students will not even realize that they are completing a task or assignment.
For more information on Smithsonian Student Travel's On-Tour Activities guide or our other on-tour educational resources, please call 1.800.503.2323.