The Alabama State Department of Education (SDE) invites you to participate in our popular monthly Virtual Field Trips. Alabama has been a trailblazer using technology for the purpose of advancing education. Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide (ACCESS), Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX), Alabama Technology in Motion (ATiM), and e-Learning for Educators are all strong tools used for the advancement of digital learning, in addition to the expansive ways technology is used in the classroom.
September 2026 Schedule at a Glance
| Date | Time | Session |
|---|---|---|
| September 8 | 9:00–10:00 AM | Movement and Motion |
| September 8 | 10:15–11:15 AM | Careers in the NFL |
| September 9 | 9:00–10:00 AM | Careers in the NFL |
| September 9 | 10:15–11:15 AM | Movement and Motion |
| September 10 | 9:00–10:00 AM | A Journey Into the Life of Helen Keller |
| September 10 | 10:15–11:15 AM | Amazing African Americans from Alabama, 1st Edition |
| September 15 | 9:00–10:00 AM | First Peoples |
| September 15 | 10:15–11:15 AM | First Peoples |
| September 16 | 9:00–10:00 AM | American Women Who Changed History |
| September 16 | 10:15–11:15 AM | A Journey Into the Life of Helen Keller |
| September 17 | 9:00–10:00 AM | Amazing African Americans from Alabama, 1st Edition |
| September 17 | 10:15–11:15 AM | Amazing African Americans from Alabama, 2nd Edition |
| September 22 | 9:00–10:00 AM | First Peoples |
| September 22 | 10:15–11:15 AM | First Peoples |
| September 23 | 9:00–10:00 AM | FINishing Up the Summer with FINtastic Fishes |
| September 23 | 10:15–11:15 AM | FINishing Up the Summer with FINtastic Fishes |
| September 24 | 9:00–10:00 AM | A Journey Into the Life of Helen Keller |
| September 24 | 10:15–11:15 AM | A Journey Into the Life of Helen Keller |
Presenters very much appreciate seeing the students they are presenting to.
Session Descriptions
This program examines the relationship of science and the game of professional football. Straight-line movement, zig-zags, circular motion, back & forth, pushing & pulling — all movements that influence the sport. This 50-minute, highly interactive program is supplemented by a lesson aligned with Common Core/National Standards of Education.
This program examines the importance of education and the hundreds of careers available in and around the National Football League. A 10-minute career video examining a wide variety of careers with the San Francisco 49ers organization is shown during the session. The 50-minute, highly interactive program is supplemented by a lesson aligned with Common Core/National Standards of Education.
Keller Johnson-Thompson, great-grandniece of Helen Keller and President of the Helen Keller Education Foundation, offers teachers a meaningful and engaging way to bring Helen Keller’s story to life for students. This presentation takes students on a memorable journey through the remarkable life of Helen Keller, America’s First Lady of Courage — from her childhood in Tuscumbia, Alabama, to her travels and influence around the world.
More than a history lesson, this program helps students understand perseverance, empathy, courage, and the importance of strong character. By connecting Helen Keller’s inspiring example to values students can use in their own lives, this presentation supports classroom learning while encouraging students to believe in their ability to make a positive difference in the world.
Alabama’s history is filled with extraordinary African Americans whose courage, creativity, leadership, and determination helped shape our state, our nation, and the world. This field trip gives teachers a powerful opportunity to introduce students to inspiring real-life role models who prove that history is not just something to read about; it is something students can connect with, question, and carry forward. Through these remarkable stories, students will discover examples of resilience, achievement, and service that can spark classroom conversations, build pride in Alabama’s rich heritage, and encourage every student to imagine the difference they too can make.
Alabama’s history is filled with extraordinary African Americans whose courage, creativity, leadership, and determination helped shape our state, our nation, and the world. This field trip gives teachers a powerful opportunity to introduce students to inspiring real-life role models who prove that history is not just something to read about; it is something students can connect with, question, and carry forward. Through these remarkable stories, students will discover examples of resilience, achievement, and service that can spark classroom conversations, build pride in Alabama’s rich heritage, and encourage every student to imagine the difference they too can make.
Beginning in the Paleo Era and culminating with the disintegration of Mississippian culture, this presentation will teach students about the daily life of the First Peoples of what we now call the Southeastern United States. This program will also include an introduction to archaeology, covering what archaeologists study, and what they do both in the field and in the lab.
- SS24.3.8a — Identify changes that took place in prehistoric/pre-contact cultures in the Southeast between the Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods. Examples: modifications in architecture, art, foodways, and tools.
American history is filled with remarkable women whose courage, vision, intelligence, and determination opened doors, challenged injustice, advanced education, strengthened communities, and changed the course of our nation. This presentation gives teachers a compelling way to introduce students to women whose stories deserve to be remembered — not as distant names in a textbook, but as real people who used their voices, talents, and convictions to make a lasting difference.
Through these inspiring examples, students will discover that history is shaped by individuals who are willing to lead, serve, question, create, and persevere. Teachers will find this program especially meaningful because it connects character, citizenship, leadership, and resilience in a way that encourages students to see their own potential to influence the world around them.
Whale (Shark), it is o-fish-ially back to school time, a great time to learn about fishes of the northern Gulf coast! Do all fish travel in schools? What about fish that walk or fly instead of swim? Are fish smart? How long do they stay in school? What’s the biggest fish in the Gulf? Are there really enough fish in the sea? Join DISL marine educator, Greg Graeber, for an up-close look at our coastal fishes and come fishing for answers to your questions!
The 9:00 AM session is geared toward younger students (K–5); the 10:15 AM session is more suitable for middle and high school students. Addresses the disciplinary core ideas of molecules to organisms (structures and processes), unity and diversity, and ecosystems (interactions, energy, and dynamics).