February 26th and 27th dawned unexpectedly warm and sunny, which turned out to be just perfect for the large groups of 6th-grade students that arrived at our EcoCenter. As part of the larger Mountain View Whisman School District Collaboration, the EV partnered with 5 other Environmental Education providers to make nature field trips available to every 6th-grade student at Crittenden and Graham Middle schools. Each school selected one date, cleared their schedules, divided all 200-300 students into small groups, booked their buses, and sent their students off to an outdoor experience for the day.
We here at the EV partnered with Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society to provide both a robust hands-on science experience in the EcoCenter, focusing on Baylands Ecology, and a beautiful bird walk around the slough and lagoon. The birds were singing, the EV and SCVAS docents were prepared and engaging, the kids were excited, water was tested, and much laughter and learning ensued.
This annual event is funded by the Mountain View Education Foundation, and we look forward to many more years of their support.
All photos by EV staff