Mission Statement

1
Authentic Connections for Real World Learning A
Program Overview For The Natural Science
Education Center August, 2003
2
Mission Statement

• To encourage that innate sense of wonder within
  each of our children, by offering them authentic
  learning experiences by interacting with the
  natural world.To offer them a whole and
  complete picture of how the real world works and
  to leave a lasting impression on what they have
  learned about the world by making facts and
  figures more relevant

3
Encouraging Each Childs Innate Sense of Wonder
4
2003-2004 School Year The NSEC Programswill
serve over 10,000 GPISD students
5
Welcome to the Natural Science Education
Center Hi, my name is Tracy Hollis and I
have the greatest job in the world. As the NSEC
Program Facilitator, I have the chance to
interact with over 10,000 students a year, in the
greatest school of all.nature!!! I have been
with the GPISD family for over 20 years, in many
capacities, and truly enjoy what I do for a
living. Please give me a call if you have any
questions about our program here at the
iNSECt!! 972-264-8729
6
NSEC Program Schedule

• PRIMARY SCHEDULE
• Kindergarten-2nd Grade
• ½ day program schedule
• AM Program Arrive at the center at 915 am and
  leave at noon. Eat lunch at the center
• PM Program Arrive at the center at 1145 am and
  leave at 215 pm Eat lunch at campus before
  coming to the center

• INTERMEDIATE SCHEDULE
• 3rd Grade-5th Grade
• Full day program schedule
• Arrive at the center at 915 am and leave at 145
  pm
• Eat sack lunch at the center

7
TRANSPORTATION
All bus requests will be handled by Tracy Hollis,
at the Nature Center. You will receive a notice
or memo after the bus requests have been made If
you have a physically challenged student who
needs a lift in the bus, please call Tracy and
let her know ASAP
8
STAFF DEVELOPMENTTeacher training is mandatory
for participation in the NSEC Program
All new teachers to the district or those who
have not attended a previous training, must
attend one (2) hour in-service offered during the
school year Check for staff development offerings
online
9
Teaching Outdoors is Fantastic!!
After receiving your 2 hour overview training,
meeting with your team members and discussing the
lessons for the day.you are ready to tackle a
day at the Nature Center. All of the equipment
will be provided for all activities

• You provide
• Your enthusiasm and preparation skills
• Students
• Student packet for each student
• Pencil for each student
• Name tag on each student
• Lunch ( if required)

10
Nature Center Store Open for 3rd-5th Grade
Studentsduring the day of their visit. Item
prices range from .25 to 5.00 per item
11
Live Streaming Video Web Based CameraActive 10
am-2pm everyday http//naturewebcam.gpisd.org/
12
Lets Take A Look
At What is Going On at the Nature Center !!!
13
Studying Latitude, and Longitude, using GPS Units
5th Grade
Understanding Parts of A Tree 5th Grade
14
Wondering While We are Wandering
15
Guest Speakers Bring The Real World In
Testing the pH of the Pond Water /4th Grade
16
Science Field Work
Long Term Research Projects
17
Searching for Insects in the Wildflowers
Five Senses in the Garden Kindergarten
18
Nature Trail Walks
Seasonal Vegetable Gardens
19
Measuring the Circumference of a Tree1st Grade
Measuring the Perimeter of an Irregularly Shaped
Object 3rd Grade
20
Language Arts Component Using Our Big Books on
Science
21
Determining the Heights Of Trees with a
Clinometer 5th Grade
Insect StudyHow an Insect Sees and Eats 2nd
Grade
22
Pond Studies4th Grade
Trundle Wheel Geometry4th Grade
23
Observing Nature On A Walk Through the Trails
Learning About Seeds2nd Grade
24
Percolation and Sedimentation Studies
NatureUp Close and Personal
25
Understanding Food WebsDissecting Owl
Pellets3rd Grade
Nature is for Everyone !!
26
Insect Studies and The Old LadyKindergarten
27
Determining the Age of a Tree2nd Grade
Water Quality Studies4th Grade
28
Microscopic Work Seeing the World Magnified
3rd Grade
29
Touch and Feel Room Hands on Science
Our Animals Lovey, Dovey,Xena and HerculesWhite
doves
30
BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFETexana Living
ProgramAll GPISD Seventh Grade StudentsMay, 2004
31
Arent We Pretty??
Grinding the Corn for Dinner !!
32
Our New 150 Seat Amphitheatre
May Fest Celebration Celebrating the Artsand
the EnvironmentOccurs the 2nd Weekend in May
33
Herb Garden
Butterfly Garden
34
Museum Quality Fluorescent Mineral Display
35
Speedy the Red Eared Slider
Wildlife at the Center
36
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY AND VISITING US !
The Kirby Creek Natural Science Education
Center Tracy Hollis Facilitator972-264-8729