Experiential Education - BASIS Independent McLean

At BASIS Independent McLean, our content-rich curriculum is complemented by plenty of opportunities for students to see ideas in action—both in and out of the classroom. We delight in giving students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of material and how it relates to the world around them, to tap into their five senses and explore problems from new angles.

Hands-on work and projects are present in all grades and subjects, especially through our primary Connections program and Senior Projects, but we seek out learning opportunities that take our students outside of the four walls of their classrooms and into the real world.

Field TripsProject WeekInternational Trips

Field Trips

Field trips are a great way to enrich the lessons being taught inside our classrooms, and they are designed to make the curriculum come to life. The frequency of field trips depends on the grade level and the relevancy to the course. Our Subject Expert Teachers work field trips into their curriculum throughout the year.

With our location close to the Nation’s capital, we have an abundance of U.S. history, government, and cultural sites at our fingertips. Our students will get the chance to experience some of the most significant buildings, structures, theater, conferences, and museums in the nation, including the following:

National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater
The National Museum of American History
The National Portrait Gallery
The. U.S. Capitol
The Supreme Court
U.S. Botanic Garden

Project Week

The last week of school signifies Project Week at BASIS Independent McLean! Project Week allows students in all grades to work with their peers on multi-disciplinary projects and engage in a fun, new activity or trip with various students in their division. Students spend 4 days in groups guided by our Subject Expert Teachers and working on a project that interests them.

These projects challenge our students to be cooperative learners and to function as a team while exploring new or existing content. Below is a sampling of the projects students participated in during previous Project Weeks :

STEAM Behind Stories – Dig deep into the science, technology, engineering, art, and math embedded in classic children’s stories
Super Me – Become a super hero through mind and body wellness
Around the World in Four Days – Explore different cultures by visiting museums, eating at restaurants, and creating crafts
Community Helpers – Take part in a variety of service projects
Blockbusters – How Aliens & Monsters Conquer the World – Delve into the history of blockbuster moves in American culture
Crime Scene Investigation – Learn crime scene investigation techniques then solve mock crimes
Play Hard, Get Sweaty – Have fun at local parks while making connections to inside the classroom
Exploring the Civil War – Examine the military history and rhetoric of our nation’s defining conflict
Warm Glass, Cold Glass, Broken Glass – Create art and jewelry with various glass techniques
Sampling and Beat Making – Dive into these music techniques and create your own
How to Animate a Story – Create a story of your own
Politics, Live! – Take advantage of our location to learn about the political process firsthand
Driver’s Ed – Classroom portion of Driver’s education
Cooking Technique – Learn fundamental cooking techniques and their application to dishes
Musicals & Musings – Trip to New York City to explore Broadway shows and famous literary sites
California College Trip – Trip give students exposure to a variety of colleges in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles

International Trips

At BASIS Independent McLean, not all classrooms have walls! Exploring other countries and cultures first hand is an amazing opportunity for our students, and world travel is an incredible experience for any student looking to take their education outside their textbooks and standard lessons.

International trips also provide a unique bonding experience for students in different grades. Most trips are open to all middle and high school students, regardless of which foreign language they are studying. Currently the French and Spanish departments alternate years hosting international trips. In future years, other departments hope to also organize international trips.

Past Trips

Galapagos Islands – Spanish and Science Subject Expert Teacher Dr. Isquith led students to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador to explore the diverse habitats, exotic animals, and South American culture. Students ranging from grades 4–10 spent 10 days over spring break trekking through a volcano, swimming with sea turtles, viewing lava tunnels, and learning about endangered plants and animals. They came back with an appreciation for plant and animal conservation, Ecuadorian culture, and the Spanish language. Read more about the trip on our blog!

Senegal – Mme Seye led a group of students on our inaugural international trip to Senegal, Africa. Senegal not only gave these students an immersive chance to practice and finesse the French language in real-time, but also allowed them to experience an entirely new cultural and societal viewpoint. These students have struck up pen-pal relationships with students they met in Senegal, and they also worked as a group to deliver reading glasses, clothes, and six scholarships to those they met on their travels.

Field Trips

National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater
The National Museum of American History
The National Portrait Gallery
The. U.S. Capitol
The Supreme Court
U.S. Botanic Garden

Project Week

STEAM Behind Stories – Dig deep into the science, technology, engineering, art, and math embedded in classic children’s stories
Super Me – Become a super hero through mind and body wellness
Around the World in Four Days – Explore different cultures by visiting museums, eating at restaurants, and creating crafts
Community Helpers – Take part in a variety of service projects
Blockbusters – How Aliens & Monsters Conquer the World – Delve into the history of blockbuster moves in American culture
Crime Scene Investigation – Learn crime scene investigation techniques then solve mock crimes
Play Hard, Get Sweaty – Have fun at local parks while making connections to inside the classroom
Exploring the Civil War – Examine the military history and rhetoric of our nation’s defining conflict
Warm Glass, Cold Glass, Broken Glass – Create art and jewelry with various glass techniques
Sampling and Beat Making – Dive into these music techniques and create your own
How to Animate a Story – Create a story of your own
Politics, Live! – Take advantage of our location to learn about the political process firsthand
Driver’s Ed – Classroom portion of Driver’s education
Cooking Technique – Learn fundamental cooking techniques and their application to dishes
Musicals & Musings – Trip to New York City to explore Broadway shows and famous literary sites
California College Trip – Trip give students exposure to a variety of colleges in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles

International Trips

Past Trips