School field trips were a highlight of my childhood—venturing beyond the classroom to explore museums, enjoy symphony performances, and dive into hands-on learning experiences. These moments weren’t just a break from routine; they were windows to a world of possibilities outside the classroom. Imagine if every student could have access to such transformative adventures.
But in an era of underfunded schools, not every elementary student in Washington, DC has the opportunity to participate in field trips beyond the classroom. As a result, for nearly 20 years, one of our Capitol Hill community nonprofits has been filling this void. Live It Learn It (LILI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit located on Barracks Row/8th Street, SE, that provides field trips to a variety of venues for elementary school students in grades 2-5. During the school year, Live It Learn It averages eight field trips per week to cultural institutions like the Smithsonian Zoo, the National Portrait Gallery, the Frederick Douglass Historic House, the Anacostia River, and Planet Word. I recently had the good fortune to participate in a field trip to the National Museum of the American Indian and see the LILI team in action.
These field trips are truly a remarkable experience for students and teachers alike and are a turn-key operation by LILI. They take the lead on all of the logistics which in turn allows teachers to also focus on the power of the learning experience.
They have developed a unique learning program model in that LILI’s field trips occur over a three-day period. This model of “bookending” the field trip excursion with classroom pre-and post-lesson plans sets the context of what the students will visit, and then offers the chance to reflect on what they experienced and what it means to them
- The day before each field trip LILI provides an in-classroom lesson or briefing to prepare students for the next day’s field trip.
- The day of the field trip LILI coordinates bus travel for the students and teachers, and an on-site student learning experience by LILI staff.
- The day after the field trip ihere is another in-classroom lesson with a creative component to allow students to connect to learning back in the classroom.
These field trips are illustrative of LILI’s mission: Live It Learn It partners with schools and cultural institutions to create and deliver experiential learning opportunities for students in order to increase their self-efficacy, build on their intrinsic motivation, and their scholarly achievements.
I think a quote from LILI Co-Executive Director Maryam Trowell describes them best:
“Our field trips unlock learning for students in a different way from classroom learning – they break barriers for students as they learn about themselves through experiential learning.”
The LILI program and mission began when Matthew Wheelock, a DC public school teacher, and current Capitol Hill resident, saw his students struggling and found a way to make a difference. Determined to share the power and joy of experiential learning with more students, he left the classroom in 2005 to launch Live It Learn It. Since its inaugural pontoon trip with 23 students down the Anacostia River, the organization has grown to encom thirty different programs at two dozen sites across the DC area.
Nineteen years later, LILI has worked with over 25,000 students in two dozen Title I schools and 24 partner destinations across Washington, DC. The program has had remarkable impacts on the students, schools, and institutions over the past 19 years:
- 100% of DC wards have been served by LILI.
- On 65% of the trips, students are first-time visitors.
- 83% of students want to return to the field trip destination.
- LILI Educators delivered 226 units reflecting the diversity and culture of Washington, DC and elevating lesser-told stories.
- 78% of students report increased knowledge of core content from our programs in art, science, history, and culture.
- 93% of students self-report feeling confidence about sharing their newfound knowledge with their peers.
- 93% of teachers agree that their students walked away with a better understanding of the content covered in the unit.
Joy of Learning
During a recent field trip to the National Museum of the American Indian, I saw firsthand how the program and lesson plans operate at a high level. Two 4th grade classes from C.W. Harris Elementary School in southeast DC arrived by bus and entered the museum in two separate learning groups. The students and teachers visited three different learning stations which focused on aspects of American Indian life and culture. After each lesson, the students were asked to visit the exhibits and make drawings and notes of the exhibits and what impacted them. The field trip educator then asked the students to share their notes and insights on what they experienced.
It was obvious that the students were enjoying this experiential learning – they were excited, engaged, curious, and willing to share their thoughts. The LILI curriculum that was developed for this museum came to life for the students.
LILI will be celebrating their 20th anniversary next year. This is a highly effective organization with a vibrant and engaged team that has lasting impacts on the District’s elementary school children. They are one of our many nonprofit neighbors on the Hill – a group that may have hosted one of your children on a field trip experience in DC.
If you would like to learn more about Live It, Learn it, and to learn how you can this dynamic organization, please visit www.liveitlearnit.org.
