AAEC Programming
The current director Vivian Davis mindfully develops curriculum and outreach visits in line with state standards exploring topics such as habitat, animal adaptations, life cycles, seed dispersion, and pollution through a hands on, minds on approach. “I’ve never seen a kid who wasn’t completely enamored when I introduce an animal in the classroom. At first, they may be a bit apprehensive of an unfamiliar creature — for example the first time they meet a snake — but once they have had a chance to gain a full understanding of the animal and its role in the ecosystem, they immediately develop an appreciation for it, saying, ‘I didn’t think that it would feel that way.’
They know it is a reptile, and that it has dry scales, but they are utterly surprised to experience the snake’s texture. It is a joy to watch them internalize it and try to describe what it feels like. Similarly, to witness students’ surprise when they look in the eyes of an alligator. Never before have they realized how dynamic the eyes of an alligator are. Previously, the children may have read about them or see them on TV, but how often do you think a child gets to be face to face with an alligator to really experience that?” says Davis. The students get a chance to explore firsthand the importance of conservation, recycling, composting, and wildlife protection.
“What is really incredible is that these children are getting this exposure through their school system,” explains Davis. Fellow educator, storyteller, and naturalist Terrell Shaw joins Davis at the AEEC part-time under a grant from the Non-Game division of the Department of Natural Resources. He commands attention with his fun-loving antics and silly educational songs. He describes his approach to education as using the environment as an integrated context for learning. “I believe to my toes that learning in the context of the environment around us sticks.
Kids who are out in the real world, examining real things are going to develop a natural curiosity. They want to learn more, and research those things that they have been looking at outside. We integrate math, social studies, and language arts using the outdoors. Education has never been about filling vessels, it’s about igniting fires. The outdoors is the best way to ignite this passion for learning,” says Shaw.