Bill Nye Is Hosting Virtual Field Trips for Kids on Airbnb, Because Science Rules
With virtual learning in full swing, teachers and parents are still figuring out ways for children to get the most out of their education at home. But science educator Bill Nye sees this out-of-classroom situation as an opportunity to get kids involved with the wonders of science, which is why he’s decided to take part in Airbnb’s new “Field Trip” Online Experiences.
As of today, Airbnb has launched this new educational collection that aims to help with the lack of extracurricular activities available for kids. They conducted a study that without these programs, 86 percent of parents are concerned that children will miss out on important developmental opportunities, while 71 percent are concerned about mental health. And so, Nye—among other well-known personalities—are holding these online sessions that give kids a creative outlet at home while supporting their core curriculum.
Nye’s online course is called “Decoding the Science of 2020,” a hour-long session that explores the molecular science of skin color, global warming, and the coronavirus—all of which touch on important issues that our world is facing today. Each topic will be covered with small experiments that kids can engage with on the screen, which Nye is hopeful will inspire young learners to get the most of their time at home.
“The big thing I tell every parent is let kids fool around in the kitchen, and make cleaning up part of the day. There’s so much to discover about chemistry or physics in your house, and now, if you can get outside wearing a mask, it’s really an opportunity to take time,” Nye told Apartment Therapy. “I have an optimistic vision that we’re going to have a generation of students because of all this trouble, they’re going to turn out to be very creative and come up with ways to entertain themselves that will be science related.”
In addition to Nye’s course, other Airbnb “Field Trip” sessions include actress Olivia Wilde’s “Socially Conscious Story Hour” where she emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion through her favorite children’s books, and teen activist Marley Davis’ “How to be a Social Problem Solver” designed to help families with steps to take toward equity, inclusivity, and social change. There will also be a number of activities affiliated with nonprofit Classroom Champions, which offers social and emotional based curriculums taught by volunteer Olympians, Paralympians, and Professional Athletes.
These Online Experiences will range from $7 to $100, and all proceeds from Nye’s session will go to nonprofit The Planetary Society while Wilde’s and Davis’ will be given to Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. Check out more details about Airbnb’s “Field Trip” Online Experiences here, and sign up to get some virtual learning on.