Films that inspire.
Educational activities that engage.
Tools that motivate.
MacGillivray Freeman Films has curated a set of films and educational materials to offer as virtual field trips for your school groups and camps.
Please contact Patty Collins or Chip Bartlett to discuss pricing for these titles.
Choose a virtual field trip package from the following titles
Dream Big: Engineering Our World
Dream Big transforms how we think about engineering. From the Great Wall of China and skyscrapers to underwater robots, solar cars and sustainable cities, it celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels and shows how engineers push the limits of innovation in unexpected and amazing ways.
Field Trip Package #1 – Wind Engineering
Duration: 2 hours
Grade levels: Elementary through high school
Field Trip Elements Include
Field Trip Instructions
Share the PDF overview with teachers that highlights each element of the package including step-by-step instructions, materials, links to videos and discussion questions.
Dream Big 40-Minute Film
Windy City Tower Activity
In the film Dream Big, kids are seen building a paper tower as they explore wind engineering. Now your students can test their abilities with the same activity designing a paper skyscraper that can hold up in the wind. The activity PDF includes full instructions questions, topics, and adaptations for younger and older grades.
Educator-Led Instructional Video
Watch this educator-led video with your students for step-by-step instructions and curriculum tie-ins. (6 minutes)
Educational Video – Holding Sway: Wind Engineering
Meet the engineer who designed the Shanghai Tower and used wind testing to create a twist in the design of the world’s second tallest building. (5 minutes)
Fun Fact Video- Twists and Turns of the Shanghai Tower
Discover the fun facts about the design of this 128-story tall building. (1 minute)
Discussion Questions and Quiz
What were the results? If you tried again what changes did you make and why? How can you keep improving your tower? More discussion questions can be found in the activity sheet. End your program with a quiz to test your students knowledge and growth.
Field Trip Package #2 – Daylight in a Bottle
Duration: 2 hours
Grade levels: Elementary through high school
Field Trip Elements Include
Field Trip Instructions
Share the PDF overview with teachers that highlights each element of the package including step-by-step instructions, materials, links to videos and discussion questions.
Dream Big 40-Minute Film
Daylight in a Bottle
In Dream Big, we see ways that engineers are sparking light without the need for electricity. Now students can experiment with ways to make similar devices to light the homes of those in need. The challenge: how to bring sunlight inside by using water-filled plastic bottles. Good for all ages and grades 3–12. The activity PDF includes full instructions questions, topics, and adaptations for younger and older grades.
Educational Video – Lean and Green: Engineering Alternative Energy
Engineers are always looking for ways to use renewable energy sources such as the sun and wind. (5 minutes)
Global Impact Video – Philippines: Plastic Bottles Go Solar
See the difference daylighting can make in a Philippine settlement. (6 minutes)
Discussion Questions and Quiz
What were the results? If you tried again what changes did you make and why? How can you keep improving your light? More discussion questions can be found in the activity sheet. End your program with a quiz to test your students knowledge and growth.
Additional Resources
Explore other resources to expand the learning experience around Dream Big and engineering.
12 Lesson Plans for grades K–12 tied to Next Generation Science Standards. Each lesson presents students with an engineering challenge inspired by the work of real engineers and can be used to help introduce the engineering mindset to the classroom or your home.
50 Hands-On Engineering Activities that all have a connection to a story or theme in Dream Big. Choose activity by topic, grade or duration.
10 Educational Videos. Take a deeper dive into the engineering stories featured in the film with this series of five-minute videos that each match up to a lesson plan.
An Educator Trailer featuring teacher testimonials with an outline of the full Dream Big educational package
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales is an extraordinary journey into the world of one of nature’s most awe-inspiring animals. See scientists in action as they study the fascinating lives of humpback whales and learn about their amazing behaviors. Students will explore the unique ecology, biology and adaptations of these engaging animals.
Field Trip Package #1 – Anatomy and Adaptations
Duration: 2 hours
Grade levels: K-8th
Field Trip Elements Include
Humpback Whales 40-Minute Film
Anatomy and Adaptations Activity
Students will observe anatomy form and function and how it relates to an animal surviving in their habitat. With two hands-on experiments they’ll use the scientific method to discover feeding strategies of marine mammals and adaptations humpback whales possess to thrive cold arctic waters.
Educational Video
Meet the scientists studying the unique ways humpback whales feed. See first hand how their specially adapted mouths and bodies are perfect for feeding on some of the smallest fish in the sea – krill! (2:30 minutes)
Discussion Questions
What adaptations did you think would be the best for hunting? How did blubber keep you warm in icy water? Why do the largest animals in the ocean eat the smallest? More discussion questions can be found in the activity sheet.
Field Trip Package #2 – The Ocean Food Web
Duration: 2 hours
Grade levels: K-8th
Field Trip Elements Include
Humpback Whales 40-Minute Film
Bioaccumulation: It All Adds Up Activity
Students will create a representation of how energy and toxins flow and cycle through the ocean food web containing a humpback whale.
Jenga Food Web Activity
Using a Jenga block game, students will see that even small changes in the ecology of the ocean environment can have a large impact on the food web as a whole.
Educational Video
Discover how toxins released in our oceans build up through the food chain from plants, to krill to humpback whales or even higher level predators and meet the scientists at the forefront of this research. (2 minutes)
Discussion Questions
What adaptations did you think would be the best for hunting? How did blubber keep you warm in icy water? Why do the largest animals in the ocean eat the smallest? More discussion questions can be found in the activity.
Additional Resources
Explore other resources to expand the learning experience around Humpback Whales and marine ecology.
6 Lesson Plans for grades 3 through 8. The lesson plans developed for this guide support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Ocean Literacy Principles, National Geography Standards and Common Core Language Arts. Each lesson is designed to bring the underwater world to life in the classroom.
The Oceanography Learning Lab functions both as a museum-based workshop and in the classroom. Each of the six hands-on activities are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and are appropriate for grades 3 to 8.
6 Video Lessons accompany each of the lesson plans from the Educator Guide. Meet the scientists researching these majestic mammals and take a deeper dive into marine science.
3 Informative infographics that teach about migration patterns, humpback anatomy, and the curious world of humpbacks. An activity guide with puzzles, coloring pages and fun facts entertains and educates the whole family.
National Parks Adventure
National Parks Adventure is the ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation’s untamed wilderness in places like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and many more. As your bike, climb and hike through the parks, learn about natural sciences like geology, biology and ecology as well as geography, history and language arts.
Field Trip Package – Layers Over Time
Duration: 2 hours
Grade levels: 3-5
Field Trip Elements Include
National Parks Adventure 40-Minute Film
Layers Over Time Activity
In the film, we see tall rock formations in Bryce Canyon National Park called “hoodoos.” The processes of erosion have revealed ancient layers of stone in the hoodoos. In this activity, students will make models of a section of the earth and practice identifying the age of the rock layers relative to each other.
Logical Layers Activity
Students discover the topics of stratigraphy, geography and relative dating using found materials and stack their own geological layers.
Behind The Scenes Video – Biking in Moab
National Parks Adventure takes audiences into the Utah desert and shows a perspective like no other. As the bikers ride across the landscape, notice the rock formations and sedimentary layers. How were these layers formed? What is the oldest? What types of erosion could have caused how they look today? (3 minutes)
Discussion Questions
How can rock layers tell time? How can we know what happened on Earth when that layer was formed? What could future rock layers look like? More discussion questions can be found in the activity sheet.
Additional Resources
Explore other resources to expand the learning experience around National Parks Adventure
10 Lesson Plans focus on the natural sciences highlighted by the film as well as geography, history, and language arts. The activities developed for this guide support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
4 Hands-On Activities for educators that are themed to subject matter found in the film and will help extend the film’s learning with students of all ages. Each activity is accompanied by a set of questions that educators can ask during the activity. Materials are low-cost and readily available.
The Activity Map Poster is packed with fun facts about the parks visited in the film and includes amazing activities to extend your adventure.
America’s Musical Journey
America’s Musical Journey tells the story of the unique cultures that gathered together to innovate and create new forms of thought and music in America. Hear the origins of jazz, blues, rock n’ roll and hip hop. Unique in its narrative power, this film challenges students to see the intersection between art, history, language, and science.
Field Trip Package – Discovering Culture
Duration: 2 hours
Grade levels: 2-3
Field Trip Elements Include
America’s Musical Journey 40-Minute Film
Culture Activity
Students will learn about different aspects of culture and how immigrations builds the unique culture of different American cities, as well as the culture of their own family. The activity includes instructions, materials and teacher prep notes.
Cultural Video – Sounds of Miami
Aloe Blacc joins Gloria and Emilio Estefan to discuss the cultural heritage of Miami and the influences that immigrants have had on the music and culture of the city. (1 minute)
Discussion Questions
What describes the culture of your community? How do food, music, symbols and beliefs make up your culture? More discussion questions can be found in the activity sheet.
Additional Resources
Explore other resources to expand the learning experience around America’s Musical Journey
10 Lesson Plans in the educator guide focus on the significant historic and cultural movements in American music highlighted by the film as well as language arts, geography, math and fine arts. All lesson plans are designed in the STEM learning style and support national Common Core ELA standards and C3 social studies standards.
The Activity Map includes fun facts and history about America’s musical cities and important musical artists that have put their cities, genres and cultures on the map.
The Search for Life in Space
The Search for Life in Space asks the question: “are we alone?” A new era of space exploration has begun. It’s the search to find something that changes everything—signs of life somewhere else in the universe. Journey from the depths of the Pacific Ocean, to the ice moons of Jupiter and Saturn, beyond our solar system and out into the far reaches of space in search of planets like our own.
Field Trip Package – Are We Alone in the Universe?
Duration: 1.5 hours
Grade levels: 2-5
Field Trip Elements Include
The Search for Life in Space 32-Minute Film
Are We Alone in the Universe Hands-on Activity
Students will explore the main ideas about the nature of life, its basic requirements and where it might be found both on our planet and elsewhere in the universe, as seen in the film. This activity also includes discussion questions prior to watching the film to establish common knowledge about Biology, Astrobiology, and the study of extraterrestrial life.
Exploratory Video – TED Talk with Lisa Kaltenegger
Astrobiologist and star of the film, Lisa Kaltenegger delivers a down-to-earth TED Talk about how she conducts her science searching for planets in our universe that show signs that they could contain life. Watch as she explains this out-of-this-world concept and get inspired to become a planet hunter yourself! (6:30 minute)
Discussion Questions
How, where and why do we search for extraterrestrial life? What is the importance of water for life? How do planets form? Are we alone in the universe? More discussion questions can be found in the activity sheet.
Additional Resources
Explore other resources to expand the learning experience around The Search for Life in Space
5 Full Lesson Plans in the Teachers Guide cover subjects of astrobiology, planetary science, the building blocks of life and the search for life on other planets with curriculum tie-ins for grades 2-9 with particularly strong connections for middle school.
8 Worksheets to accompany the activities in the educator guides. These printable hand outs allow for classroom collaboration and expand the learning from the film.
9 Fun Facts about the planets in our solar system and the interstellar tools we use to study them. Share these images on social media or use them in a classroom for fun trivia games.
Dolphins
Dolphins dives below water’s surface for a romp with inquisitive Atlantic spotted dolphins, acrobatic dusky dolphins and the familiar bottlenose dolphin. Follow marine biologists as they research the communication of wild dolphins with innovative scientific methods. From rarely seen fish-herding behavior to a close-up look at complex communication activities, Dolphins offers a fascinating new perspective on the lives of dolphins and their remarkable intelligence.
Field Trip Package #1 – Diving into Dolphin Adaptations
Duration: 2 hours
Grade levels: 4-8
Field Trip Elements Include
Dolphins 40-Minute Film
Deep Diving Activity
Students will use the scientific method to investigate and understand two physical principles (bradycardia or a lowered heart rate and myoglobin storage) involved in a dolphin’s deep-diving adaptations.
Educational Webinar –Intro to Dolphins
Tune into this educational webinar to learn about the anatomy and behaviors of dolphins and listen to a Q&A with Dr. Kathleen Dudzynski, the featured scientist in Dolphins. The video is produced by Dr. Dudzynski’s non-profit organization, Dolphin Communication Project, which aims to increase knowledge of communication behaviors between and among all dolphin species and promote awareness of marine mammal conservation. (32 minutes)
Discussion Questions
How are dolphins specially adapted to living a life underwater? As mammals, how are humans and dolphins similar? How are we different? How do changes in the experiment affect the outcomes? More discussion questions can be found in the activity sheet.
Field Trip Package #2 – Dolphin Communication
Duration: 2.5 hours
Grade levels: 4-8
Field Trip Elements Include
Dolphins 40-Minute Film
Uncommon Sense Activity
Discover how dolphins use “echolocation” to orient themselves, navigate and hunt underwater. Students will simulate this type of communication to understand one of the many ways that dolphins communicate and live underwater.
Educational Webinar –Dolphin Communication
Tune into this educational webinar with Dr. Kathleen Dudzynski to learn about the diverse communication styles that dolphins use. Explore the importance and multitude of methods of communication amongst dolphins, humans and all life forms. The video is produced by Dr. Dudzynski’s non-profit organization, Dolphin Communication Project. (60 minutes)
Discussion Questions
What are five major forms of dolphin communication? How do humans communicate with each other? How do different species communicate between each other? Why is it important for humans to understand dolphin communication? More discussion questions can be found in the activity sheet.
Additional Resources
Explore other resources to expand the learning experience around Dolphins
10 Lesson Plans in the Teachers Guide targeted at grades 4-8 cover subjects of the biology of dolphins, ecology and oceanography, as well as the importance of conservation and research. Activities in the guide use the scientific method and support National Education Standards for Science, Geography, Math and English.
Dolphin Quiz. Take this 10 question online quiz to test your dolphin knowledge.
Swim with Dolphins As a Career! Dive underwater with dolphin detectives as they come face-to-face with dolphins and other sea life. Discover how their childhood fascination with the ocean and animals inspired their future careers.
Coral Reef Adventure
Coral Reef Adventure brings the beauty and mystery of the coral reef environment to the big screen with a film that both celebrates this vital ecosystem and warns of its imminent decline. Follow two under-water filmmakers on a 10-month expedition across the South Pacific to explore and document some of the world’s most beautiful and endangered coral reefs. Coral Reef Adventure is an adventurous and emotional account of two extraordinary individuals doing what they can to help save the coral reefs.
Field Trip Package – Coral Reef Ecology
Duration: 2 hours
Grade levels: 4-8
Field Trip Elements Include
Coral Reef Adventure 47-Minute Film
Reef Partners Wanted Activity
Students will identify several reef partnerships and describe how organisms help each other. They will explore the diverse plants and animals that inhabit a coral reef habitat and examine the multiple types of symbiosis.
EducationalVideo – Field Report: Dr. Richard Pyle on the Importance of Documenting Ocean Biodiversity
Dr. Richard Pyle is known as a pioneer in deep-diving technologies. He and his team are currently discovering an average of seven new species per hour of exploration time – the highest rate of new fish species discovery anywhere in the world. Watch this educational video about his work and the importance of biodiversity in our oceans.
Interactive Virtual Dive
Virtually explore both shallow and deep reef environments. Swim along with the marine life and click on the diverse species to learn more about how the reef inhabitants live together and compete for survival. Also see how humans effect the future health of reefs.
Discussion Questions and Quiz
How do corals grow? Why are corals so important to the reef ecosystem and to the entire globe? What types of relationships can animals and plants have with each other? Test your knowledge of coral reefs with a beginner or expert level quiz.
Additional Resources
Explore other resources to expand the learning experience around Coral Reef Adventure
7 Lesson Plans in the Teachers Guide for grades 4-8 cover subjects of the symbiosis, pressure and buoyancy, anatomy, sedimentation, conservation and science in action. Activities in the guide support National Education Standards for Science. Major funding for the film and educational program was provided by the National Science Foundation and educational outreach support provided by NOAA and Reef Check.
About Corals and Coral Reefs. Dive into an overview of what corals are, how they grow, where they thrive and how humans play a role in their uncertain future.
Watch the Official Trailer! Get a quick glimpse of the destinations above and underwater featured in the film and the scientists that venture to new depths to understand these dazzling coral reefs.
The Living Sea
In this Academy Award-nominated film, The Living Sea celebrates the “world ocean”–its beauty, diversity and importance to all life on earth. With spectacular underwater imagery, the film highlights some of the most extraordinary marine habitats in the world and explores our relationship with this complex and fragile environment.
Field Trip Package – How Does the Ocean Move?
Duration: 2 hours
Grade levels: preschool-8
Field Trip Elements Include
The Living Sea 40-Minute Film
How Does the Ocean Move Activity
Students will create their own water currents, using differences in water salinity and water temperature. A second activity explores salinity currents. Using two water bottles, tap water, table salt and food coloring, they will use the scientific method to predict, test and observe results to ultimately understand how water flows around our planet.
Preschool-3rd grade can do this project as a class with the teacher leading and asking for volunteers. 4th-6th grade would do the project in small groups with an adult. Within each small group, students would be chosen for each of the following positions; recorders, experiment performers, and observers. 7th grade and above would do the same as the group above, but more independently.
Discussion Questions and Quiz
Why is the sea salty? What makes water move in currents? Is sea water the same all over the world?
Additional Resources
Explore other resources to expand the learning experience around The Living Sea
6 Lesson Plans in the Educator’s Guide for Pre-school through 8th Grade cover subjects that explore how big the ocean is, what it’s made of, how it acts as a single entity, how tides and waves are created and how they affect our life on land and sea.
Watch the Official Trailer! Dive into the dazzling underwater world and get a feel for what you and your students will learn about the ocean, its processes and the immense diversity of life it supports.
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