Students enrolled in Brandywine Virtual Academy (BVA) stepped beyond the screen and into nature during a recent in-person field trip to Longwood Gardens ahead of Earth Day. The visit offered middle school students the opportunity to explore environmental science, conservation, and plant biodiversity in one of the region’s most renowned educational gardens.

BVA is a fully online learning program operated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), and it incorporates in-person field trips into its instructional model to allow students to engage with course content through hands-on, place-based learning experiences at local educational sites. The Longwood Gardens trip reflects BVA’s commitment to offering meaningful learning opportunities that extend beyond virtual classrooms.

“Brandywine Virtual Academy teachers intentionally design learning experiences that balance the flexibility of online instruction with meaningful opportunities for students to learn together in person,” said Melonie Schmitt, BVA K-8 assistant principal. “Field trips like this allow students to make real‑world connections to what they are learning online, deepen their understanding through hands‑on experiences, and build relationships with peers and teachers in ways that truly enrich the virtual learning model.”

BVA Teacher Rebecca Chelius agreed, adding, “In an online environment, we often teach through models, simulations, and videos. A student can watch a video on photosynthesis, but standing in a conservatory where they can feel the humidity and see the variety of plants helps to shift science from a concept in their heads to something real right before their eyes. They stop seeing science as simply a school subject and start viewing it as a career path.”

During the visit, students explored indoor and outdoor gardens, observed seasonal plantings, and learned about sustainability practices, ecosystem stewardship, and the role botanical institutions play in environmental education. The experience complemented BVA science coursework while encouraging students to draw connections to concepts discussed online.

“The visit to Longwood Gardens helped me understand that condensation is not just in the clouds, it could also be on the edge of a greenhouse, for example,” said Joshua Nye, a seventh-grade Brandywine Virtual Academy student from Downingtown Area School District. “As we were walking through the greenhouse, I saw a bunch of water on the glass panels. Then I understood.”

Nye went on to explain that the field trip gave him an opportunity to meet his classmates and make new friends, as well as cultivate a better appreciation for conservation efforts. “This visit really helped me as I now understand how much effort it takes to take care of the Earth,” he said. “At the same time, I realize that the payout is more than the cost. The payout is a wonderful garden for many people to explore, and I really think that kind of washes out the fact that it takes a while to clean up and take care of.”

As BVA looks ahead to the next school year, the program plans to offer even more in‑person experiences that allow students to apply academic concepts, build connections, and engage beyond the virtual classroom. 

BVA offers students throughout the state the opportunity to attend school virtually while earning their class credits and diploma from their sending school. Courses are developed and taught by locally based, Pennsylvania-certified teachers, and BVA curriculum aligns with Pennsylvania state standards. To learn more about BVA, please visit www.bva.cciu.org.