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Field Study Guidelines

Please read the following guidelines and the tips for a successful field study before filling out your application:

Contact the field study site and make sure the students will experience legitimate career awareness activities (You may need to explain to the field site contact that you will need someone to do a career presentation).
Plan your pre-study and post-study activities to include at least two-three of the five career pathways.
Make a connection between pre-study, field study and post-study activities. Use the Core Career Connection Activities http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/stc/ccc/home.htm
Complete the Field Study application and submit it to Jane Parker at Dixon Middle School. (The application will need to be submitted two-three weeks prior to the actual field study date)
You will only be eligible to receive funding from the Work-Based Learning Program once during the current school year. (This will allow other students throughout the district to have career awareness opportunities)
A Work-Based Learning Committee will review your application. Upon approval you will be notified. You will need to make arrangement for the bus(s). You will need to submit a receipt(s) for all expenses to Jane Parker at Dixon Middle School in order to receive reimbursement.

You must have receipt(s) (entrance fees, bus) in order to get reimbursed

What is a Field Study?

You’ve probably heard the term field trip. A field study is a field trip with the purpose of studying first hand a specific subject that is being studied in class. Field study experiences provide students with the opportunity to explore careers onsite.

Field Studies are NOT:

a chaotic trip to any location where students pile onto the bus yelling and playing until they arrive at a location such as the zoo or a factory just to watch what is happening with no classroom application, preparation and follow-up.
an event thrown together last minute with no agenda, time frame or purpose for the activity.
an absolute nightmare.

Field Studies ARE:

Discussed in class with pre-study and post-study activities that will help to prepare them for their day out of the classroom.
A first-hand look at career options in action.
A forum for students to ask questions of business people who are presently participating in various career fields.
Organized and prepared with agendas and a purpose.
Discussed with business partners prior to your visit. Business partners need a list of your expectations from them (Legitimate Career Activities & Presenters during the site visit).
Accompanied with a student assignment to guide students to information while visiting the workplace.
An opportunity for your students to behave as young men and women and enter the workplace for a day.
An excellent educational tool.

Tips for a Successful Field Study

Teachers: Please prepare your students ahead of time, so that the student and the business will have a positive and beneficial experience.

Prepare Students with:

The focus of the field study on careers
The information that there are many careers to be seen today
Related activities – Pre-study, during and post-study activities
How to ask appropriate questions
Appropriate behavior, courtesy and dress
Items needed – notebook, pencil, lunch, etc.
An agenda to follow
Safety issues

Teacher Responsibilities:

Parent permission slips for every child
Set up transportation – give your bus driver your agenda
Set up legitimate career activities (career guest speakers) with the site person (s) for the students during the field study
If eating lunch on the bus, bring garbage bags, 409-type cleaner and paper towels
Prepare your principal a list of participating students and chaperones (agenda)
Conduct pre-study, and post-study activities (Use Core Career Connections & Guest Speakers)
Clearly communicate to students about the lunch plans you’ve set up
Provide adult supervision on a 15 to 1 student/adult ratio
Write a thank you letter with your classes
Evaluate the quality of the field study experience with your students (during, post)
Submit receipt(s) to Jane Parker ASAP after the field study experience (entrance fees, bus expense, etc.)

Field Study Application Info

After reading the “Field Study Guidelines”, “What is a Field Study”, and “Tips for a Successful Field Study”,

Print or download and fill out on the computer, the Field Study Application
Send to Jane Parker at Dixon Middle School at least 2 weeks prior to your schedule field study for review by the committee and approval.
Submit receipt(s) for all expenses to Jane Parker ASAP after your field study