Fourth-Grade Field Trips
A full day of hands-on California history
Our full-day fourth-grade field trip transforms Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park into an outdoor classroom. Students explore the places where the California Gold Rush began while participating in hands-on history, science, ecology, and student-led learning activities.
PROGRAM DETAILS
• Full-day program: approximately 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
• Designed for fourth-grade California history
• $65 per student
• $25 per chaperone
• Teachers and school staff attend free
• Students are divided into groups of no more than 20
• One teacher and one chaperone are required per group; we recommend three chaperones per 20 students
• Programs can be adjusted for your school’s arrival time, departure time, and learning needs
WHAT STUDENTS WILL EXPERIENCE
Nisenan Village
See through the eyes of those Native to the land for thousands of years before the Gold Rush. Students imagine traditional Nisenan life and consider how modern lifestyles affect land, water, and natural resources.
Sutter’s Sawmill
Stand where James Marshall’s discovery changed California and the world. Students examine John Sutter’s original plans, Marshall’s discovery, and the events that led to the Gold Rush of 1849.
Blacksmith Shop
Experience a working blacksmith shop while learning the remarkable story of the Monroe family, who arrived in Coloma enslaved and later prospered as free members of the community.
Mining Museum
Explore historic photographs, models, tools, and mining equipment while tracing the evolution of placer, hydraulic, and hard-rock mining.
Wah Hop Store and Bank
Discover the accomplishments and hardships of Chinese settlers during the Gold Rush and consider the importance of community when facing discrimination and adversity.
The American River
Explore the river that made the Gold Rush possible while learning about the water cycle, natural resources, and the delicate ecology of a river ecosystem.
Coloma Museum
Investigate hands-on exhibits and discover stories from California’s diverse past, including the extraordinary life of stagecoach driver Charley Parkhurst.
Gold-Panning Lesson
Put science into action. Students use gravity and density to separate materials as they learn how prospectors searched for gold.
Silent Nature Hike
Students experience an independent, reflective walk through nature, with adults positioned throughout the group for safety.
Student Nature Share
Small groups study native plants and become the naturalists themselves, teaching classmates and chaperones through repetition, observation, and questions.
Marshall’s Cabin and Monument
Examine James Marshall’s handmade cabin, furniture, and legacy. Students compare Marshall’s life with other influential Gold Rush figures and consider what it truly means to leave a lasting impact.
LEARNING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM
Throughout the day, students:
• Examine the causes and consequences of the California Gold Rush
• Explore Indigenous life in the Coloma Valley before 1849
• Consider the experiences of Chinese settlers, African Americans, and other historically marginalized communities
• Compare placer, hydraulic, and hard-rock mining
• Investigate gravity, density, the water cycle, and river ecology
• Study native plants and natural resources
• Practice observation, communication, and peer teaching
• Connect classroom lessons to historic places, artifacts, and firsthand experiences
Our naturalists use memorable stories, demonstrations, questions, games, and hands-on activities to cover what would ordinarily require more than a week of classroom instruction—all during one unforgettable day in Coloma.