Need a break from regularly scheduled classroom learning? Journey to Jackson’s Mill for an exciting and educational field trip, with activities that emphasize hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), as well as outdoor and history education.
Full-day field trip opportunities are available at West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill for school groups in grades K-12 throughout the academic year. Programming is grade-appropriate and aligns with the West Virginia Department of Education Content Standards.
When scheduling a field trip, teachers can personalize their class’s experience by choosing which subjects and activities their students will participate in.
Jackson’s Mill has a rich history that dates back to the mid-1800s. Students can learn about this deep history with a tour of the historic area from Joe Obidzinski, program coordinator and historian at Jackson’s Mill. Activities like a gristmill demonstration, candle dipping, blacksmithing and butter making are just a few of the heritage arts activities offered in the historic area.
Being a special-mission WVU Campus, its location makes it the perfect place for students to learn about and participate in a plethora of outdoor activities. Jeff Schmoll, program coordinator in outdoor education and recreation, leads activities in outdoor cooking, environmental education, rock climbing, paddle sports, biking, disc golf, knot tying and other team-building activities.
“Attending our field trips events provides a unique learning experience for students, because they can participate in experiential education, which provides a new perspective on the curriculum that students are learning in the classroom,” Schmoll said.
Jackson’s Mill is also home to the Annette S. Boggs STEAM Education Center, a 6,000-square-foot facility that hosts hands-on STEAM activities and houses a technology room with 3-D printers and other specialty equipment. Emma Gardner, STEM specialist, leads various STEAM activities in computer science, engineering design and physical science.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, the programming team welcomed more than 1,500 students in grades K-12 to WVU Jackson’s Mill through field trips alone, offering countless hours of valuable educational programming to students across the region.
“WVU Jackson’s Mill is in the northcentral part of the state and is only a short drive from many of our West Virginia schools,” Gardner said. “Our program educators make a concentrated effort to tie facilitated workshop activities to meet West Virginia Educational Standards. This means that the field trip is not a waste of time, but instead a day where students can learn valuable lessons that tie into what they are learning in school.”
Participants can register for a field trip by filling out an interest form or by calling 304-269-5100. Any teacher or group interested in scheduling a field trip should have several dates in mind for scheduling purposes. Requests are currently open for fall 2025 only. Requests for spring 2026 will open in February 2026.
The registration cost is $12 per student. If you have any questions, contact WVU Jackson’s Mill at 304-269-5100 or email jacksons.mill@mail.wvu.edu.
For more information about specific programming activities and programming by grade, visit the WVU Jackson’s Mill youth education webpage.
If you want to learn more about WVU Extension, visit extension.wvu.edu or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.
-WVU-
sk/08/20/25
CONTACT: Sydney Keener
Communications Specialist
WVU Division for Land-Grant Engagement
304-293-8986; Sydney.keener@mail.wvu.edu