Excursions

Enhance your conference experience by registering for one of our Optional Education Excursions. These sessions provide a deeper exploration of key learning areas while giving participants the opportunity to visit unique locations around Grand Rapids. All excursion sites are within walking distance of the conference venue (less than one mile). If you prefer not to walk, you are welcome to arrange your own transportation to and from the excursion location.

All excursions are State Continuing Education Clock Hour (SCECH) eligible and will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 10:15 to 12:45. 

Available Excursions: 

The Gerald R. Ford Museum

Bring U.S. Civics to life for 4th-12th grade students with this exploration of the Gerald R. Ford Museum. Education staff will help you learn to use the National Archives collection materials in your classroom. Your time ends with a walking tour of the facility.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum

Art + Music - Designed with years of experience in the integration of the visual arts, this session engages educators of all disciplines and all grade levels with new ways to teach art, music, and core subject areas, while also using music as a lens to better understand and engage more deeply with works of visual art.

Grand Rapids Public Museum

Visitors will be immersed in the rich indigenous history and culture in Michigan. This event celebrates the history and culture of the Anishinabek through storytelling, performance, and activities in partnership with local tribal members and organizations. Hear traditional songs and view colorful regalia with the drumming and dancing demonstrations, or learn from Elders as they share oral histories through storytelling. Traditional art demonstrations include basketry and corn husk dolls. Visitors may also engage with interactive stations hosted by local Tribal and community organizations. Educator resources are available, offering connections for learning in the 3rd, 5th, and middle school classrooms prior to or after the field trip. 

Van Andel Institute for Education: Engineering an Animal: Design, Build, and Survive!

Step into your students’ shoes in this immersive design challenge! Explore how real animals use structural adaptations- like tails, wings, and specialized body coverings-to survive in specific habitats. Then apply that knowledge to engineer an original creature built to thrive in an environment of your choice. Through research, planning, and creative construction, participants will experience how this lesson integrates life science, engineering design, and problem-solving. Walk away with a replicable, standards-aligned project that sparks imagination while reinforcing the powerful connection between form, function, and survival. This session is intended for K-5 educators.