Students living in cities seldom experience the rural outdoors when learning science. This lack of first-hand experience with nature is of concern, especially when they are learning about animals, plants and ecosystems. This study investigated how a teacher in Singapore organised a field trip to the rainforest to help his students bridge the gap between what they learnt theoretically in school and experientially from the natural environment. The teacher first identified students' ideas and questions about tropical forests. Based on this formative feedback and using a 'bottom-up' approach, he then designed investigative activities that revolved around students' questions and that addressed their preconceptions