This manual is intended to help high school teachers use a laboratory field trip approach to economic education. The information in the manual is based on experiences which were part of the Akron, Ohio, Public School pilot program in economics that combined classroom instruction with in-depth exposure to community resources. Part 1 of the manual outlines some of the ways field trips can become meaningful illustrations of educational concepts, discusses the use of guest speakers, and describes methods for involving students in the classroom learning resource center. Part 2 outlines the Akron pilot program experience and discusses the purpose, procedure, staffing, resources, and evaluation procedures of the project. Also provided are suggestions for classroom and field activities. The Pilot Project Economics Test is included. The Appendix contains sources of free economic materials and a bibliography of economic textbooks and audiovisuals. (Author/RM)