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“Nature at Your Doorstep” Field Trip 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 based on a curriculum guide developed by Center staff. Classes investigate nature outdoors using scientific methodology. The topics outlined below are available for nature investigation (click here for TEKS Correlates for each of our Field Trip Programs). |
| Where: | Nature Discovery Center (7112 Newcastle, Bellaire, TX 77401) in Russ Pitman Park. |
| When: | The program is offered Monday through Friday subject to staff availability. Each program runs roughly 45 minutes in length. Please indicate on the inquiry form your preferred start time. |
| Cost: | $10 per student. Title 1 Schools $5 per student. Payment MUST be received BEFORE the date of your scheduled field trip program. |
| Size: | Minimum of 5 students. Maximum 30 total students in 2 groups of 15, 1 chaperone per group of 15 students. If you have a larger group that you would like us to consider, please call to speak to the Director. |
Program Topics by Grade Levels
4 years – 1st Grade
• Awakening Senses – making discoveries with each of our senses.
1st Grade – 5th Grade
• Animal Count – counting animals and sorting by class (mammal, bird, fish, etc.)
• Trekking Around Trees – investigating tree characteristics.
• Beginning Birdwatching – surveying bird locations or behaviors.
• Seeking Out Squirrels – observing squirrel behavior and location.
2nd Grade – 5th Grade
• Investigating Insects – distinguishing insects from non-insects (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 biodiversity in several small sections of the
park (two hour program).
4th and 5th Grade
• Finding Food Webs – discovering who eats what.
• Connecting Communities – studying plant and animal interactions.
Inquiries, Scheduling, Confirmation, and Payment
Submit a School Field Trip Inquiry Form to let us know the program(s) you are interested in and your preferred dates. This form also alerts our staff to any special needs your group may have or to questions you may have about our program. Our Executive Director or Head Educator will contact you about your inquiry as soon as possible. Please allow our staff 2 business days to respond to your inquiry before calling to check on the status of your inquiry.
- Scheduling is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Your organization will receive an invoice for your visit based on the number of students who participate.
- Payment MUST be received before the date of your program
- Please review our cancellation policies before booking your field trip.
Clothing, Conduct, and Chaperones
• Comfortable, weather appropriate clothing, including closed toe shoes, is recommended.
• Teachers and chaperones are responsible for the behavior and discipline of their group.
• 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 can accommodate all students, teachers, and chaperones are available on a first-come, first-served basis if there are no other NDC programs scheduled for that space during your trip. 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.
Field Trip Inquiry Form
“The children liked going outside and experiencing being investigators. We loved that the program is interactive and gets the children excited about learning.”
Ms Carlock, Sugar Grove Elementary School 2nd grade teacher“Thank you so much for an outstanding day yesterday. Our class had such a great time. The habitat investigation and discovery rooms were wonderful. We all agreed it was our favorite trip this year! Your guides worked well with the students and got them excited about nature.”
Jill Bryant, Bay Area Christian School“You included so many challenges throughout the lesson. The experiments were great! The children liked the scientific vocabulary, following the ‘experiment frame’, and learning more about our topic of study. You all have always been so wonderful, but developing a lesson for us was going above and beyond. We appreciate it!”
M. Anderson, Oak Forest Elementary Grade 1“We liked most that it was geared to the children, they had the freedom to explore their own interests. You run a great program - the guides were great – very patient, very attuned to the children, very positive. I have been taking the 4’s and K’s on field trips for many years and this is one of the best experiences ever.”
Ms. Meriwether, Memorial Drive United Methodist Church“Eric (the guide) did a great job explaining things on the kids’ level. We thought it was terrific!”
Marcie Rosen, Crossroads School 2 -4th grade.
