Nature At Your Doorstep

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Nature at Your
Doorstep TEKS

Program Overview

Who: Elementary and preschool groups. Some programs are appropriate for middle school groups. Call for details.

What: Nature At Your Doorstep is an interdisciplinary field study program for elementary and preschool aged students. Classes investigate nature outdoors using scientific methodology and explore the Discovery Rooms. The topics outlined below are available for nature investigation.

Where: Nature Discovery Center; 7112 Newcastle; Bellaire, TX 77401 in Russ Pitman Park. See back for directions.

When: The program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (programs with an * are two hours, Monday through Friday)

Cost: $3.00 per student with a $20.00 deposit paid at the time of registration. Deposit is required of ALL schools. A limited number of free programs are available for Title One schools, thanks to generous grants. One grade level per school may take advantage of these grants. Please note that a deposit is still required to hold your reservation.

Size: Maximum 40 pre-K students or two K-6th grade classes. One adult chaperone is required for every five pre-K - K students or for ten 1st grade students and older.

Recommended for:

4 years - 1st Grade

Awakening Senses - making discoveries with each of our senses.

1st Grade - 5th Grade

Trekking Around Trees - investigating tree characteristics.

Beginning Birdwatching - identifying birds by locations, color, or behavior. Seeking Out Squirrels - observing squirrel behavior and location.

2nd Grade - 5th Grade

Investigating Insects - distinguishing insects from their non-insect neighbors (two hour program).

Homing In On Habitats - determining which animals can find a complete habitat in Russ Pitman Park.

3rd Grade - 5th Grade

Delving Into Biodiversity - investigating the diversity of living things in the park (two hour program).

Geology - rocks and fossils, keys to the past.

4th and 5th Grade

Finding Food Webs - discovering who eats what.

Endearing Endangered Species - finding causes and solutions (requires pre-visit research by students).

Connecting Communities - studying plant and animal interactions.

Scheduling, Confirmation, and Payment

Scheduling is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Reservations may be made by calling the Center at (713) 667-6550. A $20.00 deposit is required to secure your reservation.

Mail $20 deposit to:
Nature Discovery Center
7112 Newcastle
Bellaire, TX 77401

You will receive a letter confirming the receipt of your deposit, reservation date, group size and program topic. The deposit is applied to the program fee of $3.00 per student. The balance is to be paid upon arrival. Please indicate any special needs your group may have when making your reservation.

If you must cancel or reschedule, please notify the Center as early as possible so the date may be made available to another group.

Clothing, Conduct, and Chaperones

Comfortable, weather appropriate clothing, including closed toe shoes, is recommended for the outdoor investigation.

Teachers and chaperones are responsible for the behavior and discipline of their group.

Please communicate to your chaperones that they can be most helpful by guiding students through activities in the Discovery Rooms and by modeling appropriate behavior throughout the visit.

Lunch Facilities

Covered picnic tables in the pavilion behind the Center, which can accommodate all students, teachers, and chaperones, are reserved for your group. In addition, there are a few picnic tables near the playground at the south end of the park available on a first-come, first-served basis.