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Electronic Field Trips

Bring the past alive in your classroom.

2009 - 2010 Season

  • Freedom Bound


    The 2009-2010 Electronic Field Trip Season

    Teach American history from east to west in the new Electronic Field Trip season. This year's live, interactive lessons bring Native Americans, the authors of the Constitution, settlers, explorers, enslaved Africans, young Americans, and conservators to your classroom.

    View the 2009-2010 EFTs

    Download the 2009-2010 Schedule

  • Emissaries of Peace

    Emissaries of Peace

    October 15, 2009

    During the turbulent era of the French and IndianWar, the Cherokee people struggled to preserve their independence. Follow Cherokee leader Ostenaco andVirginian Henry Timberlake on their 1762 journey from Chota (the capital of the Cherokee nation)

    Registered Schools Enter Here


  • A More Perfect Union

    A More Perfect Union

    Broadcast premiere November 19, 2009

    Witness the conflict and compromise that accompanied the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Join young eighteenth-century observers, unseen by convention delegates, as they travel from state to state tallying the vote. Learn about the ratification process and Americans’ growing interest in their fledgling nation’s new government.

  • Jamestown Unearthed

    Jamestown Unearthed

    December 10, 2009

    Take a look at how history is written and reevaluated as new methods of study are introduced. Using the example of Jamestown in 1607, explore the myths and misconceptions of that era: revisit the documents, artifacts, and other evidence through archaeology. Learn how every generation sees the evidence in new ways, and how this affects our understanding of the past.

    Registered Schools Enter Here

  • Westward!

    Westward!

    Broadcast premiere January 14, 2010

    Explore the story of the early days of American westward expansion. Daniel Boone recounts the exciting experiences and unexpected consequences associated with moving west. Learn about the risks and grueling personal hardships of creating new settlements.

  • The Slave Traden

    The Slave Trade

    February 11, 2010

    Beginning with the American Revolution, this program explores the U.S. law of 1807 that abolished the trans-Atlantic slave trade.Meet the people who were involved in or influenced by this pivotal legislation: the slaves, plantation owners, slave-ship captains, common seamen, government officials, Navy officers, and anti-slavery activists.

    Registered Schools Enter Here

  • The Rights of Youth

    The Rights of Youth

    Broadcast premiere March 11, 2010

    Imprisonment, whipping, forced transportation, and even death were some of the punishments that courts sentenced children to in the eighteenth century.Witness how justice was administered at a time when criminal laws and sentencing guidelines made few or no exceptions for children.

  • Treasure Keepers

    Treasure Keepers

    April 22, 2010

    You have seen their work in every museum, but what do conservators really do? Learn how conservators prevent or slow the damage caused by “agents of destruction.” Explore how and why preserving history is important for future generations.

    Registered Schools Enter Here

What are Electronic Field Trips?

  • Live National Television Broadcasts that bring American history alive in your classroom
  • Innovative distance learning/Emmy-Award winning program for grades 4-8
  • Relevant stories of people, places, and events from the past that motivate today’s learners
  • Broadcasts air at 10 AM and 1 PM Eastern Time (closed caption/audio descriptions)
  • Broadcast on participating PBS stations and cable channels. View broadcaster list.

  • Streaming broadcasts live on your classroom computer
  • Live toll-free call-in and e-mail questions to Colonial Williamsburg historians
  • Online voting, video previews, and year-long student message board
  • Explore EFTs



Why should I subscribe?

  • Immerse students in authentic historical content
  • Build civics, history, and literacy skills
  • Infuse technology and interactive learning into a differentiated learning classroom
  • Fill information gaps and enhance background knowledge
  • Help students develop communication skills
  • Enhance students’ ability to gather and synthesize information from a variety of sources
  • On demand 24/7 Year-round Video Clips/Teacher Resources/Student Activities
  • Register Now for the 2009-2010 Season

What does the price ($500 for the series or $120 for individual programs) include?

  • Interactive, multidisciplinary student lessons
  • Web-based, standards-aligned teacher resources
  • Primary sources
  • Taping rights
  • Technical assistance and an online teacher “How to use” section

  • Online resources—use when they fit your curriculum

View the 2009-2010 Electronic Field Trip Season Sampler

Download the 2009-2010 Electronic Field Trip Season Schedule



Multimedia and related links

  • podcasts
  • videos