Connecting Children to Nature

Community Programs

Environmental science came to life for students who helped with a restoration project as part of the Martin Luther King Day of Service, January 19, 2014.

More than 40 students from Corona del Mar High’s Advanced Placement environmental science class spent three hours clearing invasive plants from the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and replanted native seedlings to restore the wetland habitat.

Inside the Outdoors, spearheaded the service project, giving students the opportunity to connect information from the classroom and textbooks to the world around them. It also builds the foundation for students to pursue careers in science that they might not otherwise have considered.

In addition to the Corona del Mar students, volunteers from La Quinta High School in Westminster, Cox Communication, PIMCO, Starbucks, the Disneyland Resort and OneOC dedicated more than 300 hours to the restoration project.

TS Programs

Since September 2013, more than 11,430 students have participated in Traveling Scientist programs through sponsorships.

These programs provide a hands-on opportunity for students in preschool – sixth grade to develop an awareness and appreciation of the sciences through the exploration of the animal kingdom and physical science concepts. In addition, the program fosters a commitment to the protection and understanding of the environment and community. The programs are aligned with the California Science Content Standards and the California Science Framework to ensure that teachers’ curricular needs are met.

Some of our exceptional programs include:

Amazing Animals - Learn about the unique characteristics and behaviors of mammals, reptiles, birds, and other species of the animal kingdom with a TS and live animals.

Scales or Slime - Students compare and contrast reptiles and amphibians to discover the characteristics of each class of animals.

Eight Legs or Six? - Through lab stations, students discover the important role some of these animals have on Earth as decomposers.

Drip Drop - Students review the water cycle as they experiment with an aquifer, learn how pollution enters the watershed, and develop ways to conserve water in their neighborhoods.

What's the Matter? - Students use the scientific method to explore the world of chemistry, using the periodic table, observation, and experimentation.

Outdoor Science School (OSS)

Outdoor Science School, in operation since 1974, offers three, four and five day programs for fifth and sixth grade students at sites in the San Bernardino Mountains. The overnight experience also provides an ideal atmosphere for the development of social skills and self-esteem. Both students and teachers leave Outdoor Science School knowing more about the natural world and themselves.

As well as life changing hands-on environmental science experiences, students gain valuable life skills. Michael from Brookhaven School in PYLUSD was heard saying that he learned he could do things that he never thought he could do, as well as how to set the table properly after participating in activities at Outdoor Science School. Michael’s parents noted, “Michael has become more independent and responsible since returning from his Outdoor Science School experience.” In a post-assessment survey another student answered the following question, What did you learn about yourself? "Science is one of my favorite things.

Links:

• Inside the Outdoors