(145) From Field Trip to Advocacy: Student Voices in Action

8.30am – 9.30am MST, 5 March 2027 ‐ 1 hour

Room: Willow Lake 5

Workshop Sessions

What happens when a school field trip becomes a catalyst for student advocacy?

In spring 2026, Crestone Charter School built its middle school curriculum around an experiential-learning trip to Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Students spent months studying the site's history, science, mathematics, architecture, and cultural significance before experiencing it firsthand.

When students learned of a federal proposal to revoke environmental protections surrounding Chaco, their learning became civic action. Students researched the issue, created artwork, and submitted a collective public comment advocating for continued protections. The National Parks Conservation Association took notice, incorporating their advocacy into broader national efforts.

This case study examines how interdisciplinary learning, firsthand experiences, student choice, research, and creative expression can connect classroom learning to authentic civic participation—without predetermining what students should think or say.