As the spring semester unfolds, our Nature Box program continues to thrive, bringing hands-on, engaging science education to elementary school classrooms.
The dedicated team, led by educators Kathy Ward and Kathy Wilson, remains committed to enriching students’ learning experiences and fostering a sense of environmental consciousness. The Nature Boxes extend the mission of The Cibolo Center for Conservation — “The Center” — beyond its trails and into classrooms all over the region. These boxes are filled with a range of materials, from interactive worksheets and books to costumes and lab equipment, all catering to different science subjects for various grade levels.
One of the program’s highlights is its adaptability to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills test for each grade level. Ward, Wilson, and their team of volunteers work hard to ensure that the content of the Nature Boxes aligns seamlessly with current educational standards, allowing teachers to integrate them effortlessly into their science classes. Last week, the Nature Box ladies presented a session on weather to second graders and “Changing Earth” to fourth graders, aligning with the current grade level topics related to weather, seasons, and the water cycle.
Given the recent cold snap, students are able to apply what they learned in class to what they experience in the real world.
Looking ahead this semester, there is a popular demand for animal presentations which our docents have been doing for years. Requests from teachers include snakes, frogs, owls, turtles and insects.
The Nature Box program not only meets these requests but also integrates them seamlessly with the TEKS involving life cycles, structures and behaviors of organisms, physical characteristics of organisms and investigating organisms and environments.
The spirit of community collaboration remains at the heart of the Nature Box initiative, made possible by volunteers working to ensure that every student can engage with the wonders of science in a meaningful and memorable way.
Educators interested in bringing the Nature Boxes to their classrooms this semester are encouraged to reach out to [email protected] to schedule presentations. Anyone interested in being trained as a docent is encouraged to reach out as well.
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