Andrea Kunz, the K-5 Science Coordinator for the Wenatchee School District, recently addressed a crowd at the Saddlerock Trailhead during the first-ever Foothills Fest organized by the Chelan Douglas Land Trust. Kunz expressed her excitement about the district's Science Field Experience program, which welcomed approximately 460 second-graders to the trailhead for a week-long outdoor learning experience focused on soils, local landforms, and erosion prevention. WSD’s science resource center has been providing STEM field experiences for elementary students in the community for over 20 years.
Kunz highlighted the program's success in connecting in-classroom learning to hands-on experiences in STEM, emphasizing the importance of place-based education in the district's natural landscapes. She credited the district's partnership with the Land Trust as a crucial factor in the program's success, recognizing the collaborative efforts that have enabled educational opportunities for K-5 students.
The program, which serves roughly 3,000 students annually, has grown significantly since its inception, thanks to the support of community partners and local levy dollars. Kunz emphasized the program's role in providing real-world field experiences to every student in the Wenatchee School District, fostering an understanding of essential science concepts and local ecology in their own backyards.
By inviting students to engage with the natural resources of the Saddle Rock and Jacobsen Preserve area, the program has offered valuable learning opportunities for many students, some of whom experienced hiking and encountered local flora and fauna for the first time. Kunz expressed gratitude to the community for its support, highlighting the collective efforts to educate future generations about the local ecosystem and cultivate a passion for preserving the region's land, plants, and animals.
The Science Field Experience program's success and impact on students exemplify the district's commitment to providing immersive and enriching educational experiences, furthering the understanding of science and ecology among young learners.
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