4th Grade Field Trip Program

We are evolving our field trip program from an open, one-time visit model into a structured 2-year partnership with teachers. During these two years, we collaborate closely with teachers and students to lead climate action in their school communities.

Field trips to the award-winning StopWaste Education Centers offer students an opportunity to learn first-hand what happens to their recyclables, garbage and compostables at a working material recovery facility and transfer station. This field trip provides real-life application of concepts taught in the classroom in the areas of physical science, life science and investigation & experimentation. Trips (valued at $2,000) are free for Alameda County 4th grade classes. StopWaste provides this service to schools to support our county-wide goals to reduce the amount of compostables and recyclables entering our landfills.

After the field trip, the class will apply what they learn to implement and complete climate action projects on school campus with support from StopWaste educators. This multi-year, collaborative approach aims to drive meaningful change in reducing waste and advancing climate action through the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot) in Alameda County schools districts by building connections, cultivating environmental stewards, and integrating climate literacy into school curriculum.

For high school field trips and partnership opportunities, see our StopWaste Ambassador Program.

The 2-Hour Field Trip to the StopWaste Education Center Includes:

• A walking tour of a working transfer station featuring a material recovery facility and garbage pit at either the Davis Street Transfer Station or Fremont Recycling and Transfer Station (based on your district).
• Engaging lessons about the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot) that explore how students' individual actions can help reduce waste.
• A hands-on activity aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Common Core Standards, and Climate Literacy Standards.
• Pre- and post-field trip lessons aligned to NGSS, Common Core and Climate Literacy Standards.
• Free bus pick up and drop off at school for Alameda County public school 4th grade classes, with transportation time in addition to the 2-hour field trip.

Program Expections    Eligibility & Requirements    Logistics    How to Apply

Program Expectations

StopWaste is looking for active partners in reducing and preventing waste throughout the county and beyond. As such, we are no longer a first-come, first-serve program. All teachers applying for a field trip must demonstrate a commitment to advancing climate action and waste reduction initiatives on their school campus or in their community.

Teachers partnering with StopWaste through the field trip program are eligible to receive a field trip for up to 2 consecutive years. 

Year 1: StopWaste facilitates the transfer station field trip and provides support and technical assistance to teachers to complete a climate action project and a site assessment to develop and co-create Year 2 action project at the school site.

Year 2: StopWaste facilitates the transfer station field trip and provides support to implement a climate action project that reaches the school-wide community through systematic change within the cafeteria, school or district as designed in Year 1.

Year 3 and beyond: StopWaste will recruit new teachers within the school district. StopWaste and StopWaste Advisory group in Education (SAGE) will provide support and technical assistance for climate action projects on campus. 

By receiving a field trip, teachers commit to this 2 year and beyond partnership.

Eligibility & Requirements

To qualify for a StopWaste Education Center field trip, your group must meet all three of the following criteria:

• You are a teacher for a public or private school in Alameda County
• You teach a 4th grade class or a 4th/5th grade combination class
• You are committed to taking climate action with your class and reporting back to StopWaste

By participating in the StopWaste field trip program, teachers must commit to the following:

• Participating in pre- and post-field trip check-ins with StopWaste staff.
• Completing pre- and post-field trip activities with their students.
• Taking climate action with their class via a climate action project (i.e. an educational or outreach project).
• Reporting on their climate action project via surveys, questionnaires, and/or interviews.
• Be available for a school site assessment.

For more information on pre- and post- field trip requirements, visit Field Trip Information.

Logistics

Locations:

We host students at the transfer station that is the closest to where their material goes.

Program Availability

Field trips are available to 4th grade Alameda County school groups during the regular school year.

Davis Street Recycling & Transfer Station (September through March)
Field trips are generally offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 am and 12:30-2:30 pm; and Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30am

Fremont Education Center (January through March)
Field trips are generally offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 am or 12:30-2:30 pm; and Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30am

Group Size & Chaperone Information

• To ensure the safety and comfort of all visitors, a maximum of 36 students can be accommodated per field trip, with one class allowed per time slot. 
• The maximum number of field trip participants is 42 (including students, chaperones, and teachers). 
• We require a minimum chaperone to student ratio of 1:10. If you are unable to fulfill this requirement, let us know as soon as possible so we can work with you to ensure your class's safety.

Bus Transportation Information

• Bus pick up and drop off at school is generally 30 minutes before and after your field trip program start and end time.
• Royal Coach Tours is our transportation provider. If you need assistance with district field trip paperwork regarding the bus, please email us at edcenter@stopwaste.org. 
• A bus for this field trip is provided at no cost to Alameda County public school 4th grade classes. No transportation is provided for other groups. 
• The bus can hold a total of up to 42 passengers (including students, chaperones, and teachers). 

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel your field trip, we ask that you notify us at least 2 weeks before your scheduled field trip. This notice gives us the opportunity to fill the slot and allows others to prepare for their visit. If you need to reschedule, we will connect you with our coordinator team who can assist you. Please keep in mind, we have a limited number of available field trip slots and rescheduling may not always be possible.

How to Apply

Important Note: As teachers are our primary partners in this program and requires pre and post field trip coordination, the assigned 4th grade teacher must submit their own application for their individual class.

• Teachers may not apply on behalf of anyone else.
• Teachers may not submit applications for multiple classes, although collaboration among grade level teams is encouraged.
• Applications submitted by others and on behalf of the assigned 4th grade teacher will not be accepted.

Application Steps

Step 1: Get to Know the Program – Familiarize yourself with the field trip program requirements, logistics, and program goals. 

Step 2 (Optional): Reach Out with Questions – Have questions about the field trip, program expectations, or the application process? We’re happy to help!

Email: schools@stopwaste.org
or  Book a live Q&A session with one of our educators

Step 3: Submit Your Application – Complete and submit your application online. As we are building partnerships through this field trip program, please take time to answer all questions thoughtfully, thoroughly, and to the best of your knowledge. StopWaste staff will review all applications and follow up with next steps. You can also download a PDF copy of the application questions for your reference before applying as a few questions may require you to check with your custodian or kitchen staff regarding cafeteria sustainability landscape.

Step 4: Decision and Scheduling – If approved and selected, you will receive a link to choose your field trip date and connect with your assigned StopWaste educator.

If not selected, we will do our best to explore other ways to support your class and school waste reduction initiatives with our school county partners.

Application Timeline

Download Questions Submit an Application 

StopWaste Education Center

Phone: (510) 891-6580
Email: edcenter@stopwaste.org