A Guide to Planning a School Trip Maths Activity

Whether you're a teacher, a parent, or an educator looking to elevate the classroom experience, planning a maths school trip can be a challenge. While mathematics may not always seem the most creative subject, it's important to find ways to make it enriching and enjoyable for everyone. 

In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of maths school trips and offer some thrilling maths trip ideas and activities to ignite curiosity and engagement in your students. Let's dive in!

What are the benefits of maths school trips? 

Unsurprisingly, there are ‘numerous’ benefits of maths school trips, offering students invaluable skills and experiences outside of the classroom walls. 

Real-World Application: School trips provide students with tangible examples of how maths is used in everyday life, helping to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application.

Enhanced Engagement: Leaving the traditional classroom setting can reignite students' interest in maths by presenting it in a fresh and dynamic way, encouraging active participation and curiosity.

Improving Self-Confidence: Solving maths problems in unfamiliar environments or participating in interactive exhibits on school trips can help build confidence in students overall. 

Team Building: Collaborative activities during maths school trips encourage teamwork and peer-to-peer learning, promoting a supportive and inclusive environment.

Bringing Architecture to Life: Maths school trips offer students a firsthand look at mathematical principles within architectural design and engineering such as geometry, symmetry, and proportion.

 Critical Thinking: Navigating challenges outside of the classroom encourages students to think critically, problem-solve, and apply mathematical principles in new situations.

Fun maths trip ideas and activities 

Now that you understand the benefits, here are some fun maths trip ideas and activities for groups of all abilities. At NST, we're dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences that help you and your class fully enjoy your trip while fostering genuine enthusiasm for a subject critical to everyday life.

Museum visits

Explore local science or maths museums that offer interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. For an exceptional STEM engagement experience, bring your group to Power Up at the London Science Museum and dive right into the action at the gaming zone. Or visit Cité des Sciences in Paris for insights into the geometry of shapes. Students can also explore the wonders of mathematical discovery at MoMath in New York, and discover a side of the subject never seen before. 

Architectural tours

Arrange a guided tour of architectural landmarks and structures like Barcelona's Park Güell and La Sagrada Família, New York's iconic Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty, or perhaps Paris's renowned Eiffel Tower and the Louvre's Pyramid. Students can analyse the geometric shapes of buildings, calculate areas and volumes, and even design their own structures using mathematical principles.

Theme parks

Theme parks provide an exciting environment to integrate mathematics into an exhilarating experience. Have students calculate the speed and acceleration of roller coasters at THORPE PARK, estimate wait times using probability at Disneyland Paris, or analyse the geometry of rides to understand forces and motion at Port Aventura. Educational workshops are also available - check our maths trips for more information. 
Sport stadiums 

Elevate your students' learning with a captivating school trip filled with fun maths activities at legendary sports stadiums like Wembley Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Spotify Camp Nou Experience, and Le Stade de France. Pupils can explore the dimensions of a playing field, estimate crowd sizes, and analyse player statistics to understand mathematical concepts like averages and percentages while examining geometric shapes and patterns. 

School bank trips

Embark on an educational journey with your students by exploring iconic financial institutions like the Federal Reserve Bank in the Financial District of New York, the Barcelona Stock Exchange, and the Bank of England Museum. During the tour, students can engage in various maths-related tasks, such as calculating interest rates, understanding currency exchange rates, and analysing financial data. They can also learn about the history of banking and its impact on the economy. 

Book a spectacular maths school trip with NST! 

Are you planning your own maths school trip? We offer many different school trips and tours for primary and secondary students including:

We’ve also created a comprehensive guide packed with tips, resources, and planning templates to help you organise a memorable and educational experience. From budgeting and logistics to safety considerations and activity ideas, our guide has you covered every step of the way. 

Download your FREE copy and start planning your mathematical adventure today! Alternatively, request a quote or get in touch to learn more.