Nothing offers opportunities for learning better than travel, whether to destinations that are near or far. Travel allows the student—and the teacher who practices lifelong learning—to fully experience a locale with all the senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. And one of the most fascinating destinations for travel for both students and teachers is Alaska.

Alaska offers wonderful natural environments for scientific study and observation. On a recent trip to the state, I explored several excellent opportunities for learning that teachers could share with their students. The most spectacular of these is the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis.

Of course, most teachers are unable to escort their students on a field trip to observe this magnificent natural phenomenon, but students can still learn about it from some excellent resources online. A brief description of the science behind the Aurora can be found on the website of the US Government’s Space Weather Prediction Center. Another brief explanation of the phenomenon can be found on the website of National Geographic. Information about predicting Northern Lights in Alaska, including a question and answer section, can be found on this website for the Geophysical Institute sponsored by the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. You could also share this three-minute YouTube video of the Northern Lights that was recorded at about the same time of our visit:

My husband, Hal, and I were fortunate to observe the Aurora while we were in Fairbanks. We had to select a night with little cloud cover in the sky, travel about a half-hour’s drive away from the city in order to escape the lights of the city, and wait until the later hours of the night. We also had to dress head-to-toe in protective snow gear to shield us from the cold temperatures. But we were well-rewarded for our effort.

Author Terry Lee Marzell (left) and her husband, Hal (right), enjoy the spectacular phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis on a recent trip to Fairbanks, Alaska. The experience offers opportunities for science instruction for students of all grade levels. Feb. 10, 2024. Photo Credit: Robert FrankevichPhoto Credit: Robert Frankevich (Our Alaskan tour guide)

One of the surprising aspects about the Northern Lights that we learned is that we thought the colors were better perceived by the camera than by the naked eye. This observation opens the door for an informative lesson about the human eye,  how rods and cones in the eye function, and how these functions affect our visual perceptions. Despite the limited ability of our human eyes, we were amazed by the beauty of the stunning Northern Lights, not to mention the glittering starscape in the sky above us.

Remember, too, that Alaska is not the only place where the Aurora can be observed. There are terrific viewing spots in Canada, Iceland, and Scandinavia, particularly in Norway and Finland. And there are also the Southern Lights, also known as the aurora Australis, which can be seen in Antarctica, New Zealand, and parts of Australia.

I hope this blog post helps educators in the Lower 48 share the science and the beauty of this spectacular display with their students, no matter what the grade level. Enjoy!

Teachers know that travel, in addition to being fun and intellectually stimulating, is one of the most meaningful experiential learning opportunities available for both themselves and for their students. Winter Break, which is fast approaching, is a great time for travel! Recently, I returned from a vacation to Key West, Florida, and while I was there I could see several opportunities for incorporating travel experiences into classroom curriculum.

The author stands in front of the Hemingway Home and Museum located in Key West, Florida. Photo credit: Hal Marzell

Language Arts teachers may be particularly interested in exploring the Hemingway Home and Museum. The residence was originally built in 1851. The structure features a French Colonial architectural style. Hemingway lived there with his second wife, Pauline Pfeiffer, from 1931 to 1939. In 1968, the home was designated a National Historic Landmark.

The house is lovely, decorated in French furnishings that the couple bought in Paris before moving to Florida, and augmented by the French chandeliers that Pauline particularly liked. In contrast, the kitchen seemed very basic and plain to me. Perhaps Pauline didn’t like to cook much? The living room features one entire wall dedicated to Hemingway’s manly sporting interests and hunting trophies, but this display seemed more like a museum exhibit that a homemaker’s decorative element. And I loved the

Hemingway’s private study, which his wife Pauline decorated to reflect his masculine taste. Photo credit: Terry Lee Marzell

I particularly enjoyed viewing the author’s private study, which Pauline had converted for her husband from the detached carriage house. Visitors can’t go inside, but they can get a splendid view through some wrought iron gate work at the doorway. This room is decorated in a masculine style more in keeping with Hemingway’s tastes. It was in this room that the author wrote some of his most acclaimed works, including the nonfiction work Green Hills of Africa, short stories “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “The Short Happy Life of Francis of Francis Macomber,” and the novel To Have and Have Not.

The author pets one of the polydactyl cats that are descended from Hemingway’s original six-toed cat, Snow White. This one is sleeping on Hemingway’s bed. Photo credit: Hal Marzell

And then there are the famous polydactyl cats. Hemingway was given a white six-toed cat named Snow White by a ship’s captain and some of the 61 cats who currently live on the museum grounds are descendants of that original cat. Imagine my surprise when I stepped into Hemingway’s bedroom and found one of them sleeping peacefully right on the author’s bed!

Should you be able to escort your students to this museum house, or visit it yourself, the site is located at 907 Whitehead Street in Key West. The residence is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. General admission is $18 per person; ticket for students from age 7-12 are $7, and children under five years old are free. There is a special rate for group admission tickets. Admission includes a 20-30 minute guided tour. You can also guide your students to the website at Hemingway Home and Museum.

Whether you travel to the Hemingway Home and Museum in person or virtually, I wish you and your students happy learning!

The author and her husband, Hal Marzell, enjoyed a tour of the President Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West, Florida, while on a recent trip to this charming city. Photo credit: Terry Lee Marzell

Many educators would agree that one of the best methods of experiential learning is travel. Travel allows the student—and the teacher who practices lifelong learning—to fully experience a locale with all the senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. And one of the most interesting destinations for travel for both students and teachers is Key West. On a recent visit to this charming little city, my husband Hal and I toured the President Harry S. Truman Little White House.

This museum house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and is Florida’s only presidential museum. The structure was originally built in 1890 as a residence for officers in the US Navy. However, the home has served important visitors such as inventor Thomas Edison, who occupied the home during World War I while he was working on depth charge research for the Navy. It has also been used by six American presidents. The home served as the winter White House of President Truman, who spent 175 days of his presidency there during the years of 1946 through 1952. These were times when Truman faced such daunting tasks as rebuilding Europe following WWII and responding to such pressing issues as the Palestine question, Civil Rights, labor unrest, changes in US foreign policy, and the national response to the Cold War.

In addition to Truman, other sitting presidents who spent time at the Key West retreat include William Howard Taft in 1912; Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1955-1956; and John F. Kennedy in 1961 and 1962. Presidents who spent time there after they left office include Jimmy Carter in 1996 and 2007 and Bill Clinton in 2005.

Here is the presidential limousine used by Truman while he was in office. Photo credit: Terry Lee Marzell

To my eye, the house seemed charming, yet very humble for a presidential home. This is in keeping with what I’ve learned by Truman in my reading—it seems that he was a very unassuming man who lived a very modest lifestyle. This house was furnished primarily in 1940’s rattan pieces featuring cotton chintz-covered cushions in green and red florals, matching draperies, and walls painted in a soothing shade of celery green. The most intriguing furniture piece was Truman’s poker table, a gift constructed in 1949 specifically for him by three civilian contractors working in the US Naval Station cabinet shop. Truman was an avid poker player. Historical items such as President Truman’s briefcase, books, telephone, and his famous “The Buck Stops Here” sign are still on display on the desk he used. And visitors can also see his presidential limousine on display. The grounds are lovely, with expansive green lawns and lush tropical plants throughout. In fact, the site is one of the very few presidential sites that can be rented for social events and weddings.

A visit to this museum house would certainly supplement history lessons about the time period when Truman was president, and would serve to inspire conversations about Truman as a historical figure.

If it is possible to lead a field trip to Key West, the Truman Little White House is located at 111 Front Street in Key West, Florida. The house is open daily, year-round from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are $22.95 for visitors age 13 and over, and $10 for children age 4—10. Children under 4 are free. If visiting in person, you can enjoy an informative tour with a knowledgable guide. You and your students can also learn more about the site by clicking on this website: Truman Little White House. Whether your visit is in person or online, I bid you happy learning!