Explore Foundation

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Shawnee, KS
Explore Foundation

Making more field trips happen for students in KC! Explore is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Visit our website for more information

We are currently accepting sponsorships, donations, and teacher proposals for the 2022 - 2023 school year!

07/31/2026

Field Trip Friday: Where textbook concepts meet real-world adventures.

The PE and STEAM teachers worked together to teach their students to launch rockets and go fishing. Then, they took those skills out of the gym and classroom and into the wild!

From launching rockets without school-roof hazards to testing student-engineered boats on an actual lake, this experience proved that hands-on learning is the most memorable type!

A note from the teacher:

"Thank you so much for investing in our project that is every student's favorite event of the year. Every parent volunteer thanked me for putting this field trip together. They said they wished they got to do field trips like this when they were kids. The students' PE and STEAM learning was able to be taken out of the classroom and Gym and into the real world. THANK YOU!!”

07/03/2026

Field Trip Friday: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders.

This field trip at JA BizTown was an absolute success! The hands-on learning the students experienced will go a long way in boosting their confidence in collaborative teamwork, understanding how a community functions, and building essential financial literacy skills.

From the teacher:

"We appreciate the support from Explore Foundation and the sponsors who work with them so much! Without them, we would not have a field trip that allows parents to be so involved, connect real-world learning to concepts we discuss in class, and increase students' ability to work collaboratively. Children are our future, and part of preparing them to be productive members of society is creating opportunities like this. Community support is an integral component in a brighter future. We are so grateful for you all!"

Thank you again to all of the amazing sponsors who make these real-world learning opportunities possible for our future leaders! 🌟

kansascity Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City Junior Achievement

06/26/2026

✨ Field Trip Friday: Collaboration in the Community✨

This group of students wrapped up their spring semester with a collaborative day in the community at !

This wasn’t just a day outside of the classroom—it was a hands-on lesson in interpersonal skills and collaboration.

During their trip, the students practiced sharing, navigated new public spaces, explored different roles that keep a community thriving, and tackled real-world problem solving.

Ms. Amon was able to see her students navigate real-life interactions with confidence and their curiosity was nothing short of inspiring.

A note from the teacher: "Thank you for your kind donation to allow our students this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Without your support, our students would not have had this wonderful opportunity. It was honestly one of the best field trips I have experienced as a classroom teacher for over 20 years! We all deeply appreciate your support and look forward to working together in the near future. THANK YOU!"

We are so grateful for the neighbors, donors, and supporters who believe in our students and make these moments possible. Together, we are building brighter futures! 💛

The Regnier Family Wonderscope Children's Museum of Kansas City

06/19/2026

✨ Field Trip Friday: Seeing Science City through the Eyes of a Middle Schooler ✨

Ms. Bishop’s class took learning on the road for an unforgettable, hands-on day at Science City! 🧪🚀

From exploring earth’s systems and genetics to testing out robots, light waves, and kinetic energy transfer, the students engaged with all things STEM! This trip was perfectly timed to give them a fun, focused review of big concepts they learned throughout the year.

A note from the teacher: "Thank you so much for supporting our field trip to Science City! Many students had not been before, and several hadn't been in over 6 years. With the help of a special field trip guide, the science concepts really came to life before their eyes! It was especially fun to watch a group of our ELL boys, visiting for the very first time, light up with excitement at the Brain exhibit—moving from activity to activity and challenging each other in the brain competitions."

Moments like these are exactly why we do what we do. Thank you to everyone who supports our mission and helps make these experiences possible for our students!

Science City at Union Station

06/14/2026

Today, on June 14th, we celebrate the joy, curiosity, and potential of every child. At Explore, our mission is to keep those young minds discovering, growing, and thriving—but we could never do it alone!

We want to send a massive THANK YOU to:

⭐ Our Incredible Sponsors & Donors: Your generosity pours directly into the futures of these amazing kids. Because of your financial support and donations, we can keep creating impactful opportunities.

🏫 Our Wonderful Schools & Teachers: Thank you for believing in Explore and partnering with us. Your dedication to inspiring the next generation inside and outside the classroom is unmatched!

It truly takes a village, and we are so incredibly grateful for ours. Happy Children’s Day!

06/12/2026

Field Trip Friday: Sowing the seeds of curiosity! 🌱✨

The students from Ms. Johnson’s class were so excited to explore
Diamond Grove Adventure Park!

Their mission is to connect hands-on learning with the natural world. This incredible destination perfectly aligned with their school's agricultural focus, merging active recreation with immersive learning. The K-4 students got to explore:

🌿 Natural Prairie Habitats – Walking through the ecosystems that make our land unique.
🐖 Farm Animal Encounters – Getting up close with the animals that are central to our agricultural heritage.
🏃‍♂️ Outdoor Recreation – Building community, teamwork, and joy through play.

❓What are your favorite memories from school field trips? Share them in the comments below! 👇

Diamond Grove Adventures

06/05/2026

🚌 Field Trip Friday: Kickoff to Adventure! 🌾🦁

The students in Ms. Gormley’s class had an absolute blast on their field trip to the zoo! The excitement started long before they arrived, with a special classroom countdown that had everyone talking for days.

Not only did they get to explore the wonders of the zoo, but they also got to experience it all alongside their peers. The hands-on learning and incredible memories made that day served as the perfect kickoff for their science unit covering plants and animals.

We love hearing how these experiences impact our local students and bring classroom lessons to life!

Note from the teacher: “Thank you for this opportunity! We are so grateful for your contribution. Our PTO and many of our families would not have been able to afford this field trip without your support. Our trip to the zoo is going to be the highlight of their school year!”

06/02/2026

🚢 "It was really cool to see this, because it was from past time" ⚓️

Watch the video to hear about the historic Titanic Exhibit at Union Station directly through the eyes of our students!

This wasn't just any ordinary field trip—thanks to an incredible wave of community support, we were able to send over 680 middle school students at Discovery Middle School to Union Station where they experienced this unforgettable piece of history.

An experience of this scale seemed like a massive undertaking, but our community proved that nothing is impossible when we come together. Families, neighbors, and local business partners stepped up to ensure every student could be included by donating to Explore.

To everyone who donated, shared our link, and believed in the power of hands-on learning: THANK YOU. You didn't just fund a bus ride; you sparked curiosity and created memories that these students will carry with them forever.

This unforgettable day was made possible by the generosity of our community partners:

ReeceNichols-Kansas City North
Get2 Impact
Thomann Financial Services, Inc.
KC Braces and Kids
Russell Interiors LLC
Edward Jones (Clint Cain)
Ginger Sue's

Thank you for investing in our students!

What was your favorite student reaction in the video? Let us know in the comments below!

05/22/2026

The vibes were officially top of the charts! 📈🍻

We had the absolute best time celebrating our incredible teachers at Tall Trellis Brew Co. The beer was cold, the food was amazing, and the competition for those prizes got serious!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to play, laugh, and sing along! Educators, you are definitely NOT one-hit wonders—thank you for everything you do! 🍎❤️

We also want to extend our gratitude to Mazuma Credit Union- Your generous sponsorship made this night of fun and appreciation a reality. Thank you for always supporting our teachers!

Address

Shawnee, KS
66226

Telephone

+19132694539

Website

http://explorefoundation.org/

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