Searching for field
trips that are fun, engaging, and directly support classroom
learning? The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) offers an
exciting array of field trips on Chicago’s built environment.
Read on to learn more about CAF’s K – 8 field trips
and High School tours.
K – 8 Field Trips CAF’s interactive field trips help
students in grades K – 8 explore the city and its buildings.
Led by volunteer docents who are specially trained to work with
young people, these field trips encourage student participation
and inquiry and support Illinois Learning Standards.
CAF’s Field Trip programs consist of several parts to
promote student learning both inside and outside of the classroom:
• The field trip downtown
• A Teacher Prep Pack that includes classroom-ready pre-
and post-visit activities
• Student activity booklets to take back to school
Join us to explore big ideas in architecture – from columns
and cantilevers, to architectural design and the International
Style.
– “I really enjoyed
learning about cantilevers! I must have walked by thousands
of them but I never really appreciated how difficult but beautiful
they are! Who invented the cantilevers anyway? I learned so
much but still have so much more to learn!”
– “Great field trip – looking forward to next
year! Can I do this when I retire?”
Discover the historic
beginnings of Chicago’s early skyscrapers, as well as
the rise of the modern skyscraper, on CAF’s Historic Skyscraper
and Modern Skyscraper walking tours.