It’s amazing what a pair of binoculars can do. Suddenly you can see “Jack and Jill” on the moon, and every crater and peak of the moon’s surface becomes clearer. Miraculously you can see the detail and rich color to be found in a Blue Jay’s feather. Incredibly the centipede’s tiny legs can be seen moving at rapid speeds. The world of nature is brought into focus. Now imagine all these things being seen by a child. The combination – binoculars and children – is magical.
That magic has happened for over 1,500 Geauga County 5th grade students and their teachers since 2003. Geauga Park District’s Nature Scopes program, sponsored by the Geauga Park District Foundation, creates a unique link between nature and our county’s youth. By being given a pair of binoculars, children are getting a close-up look at the natural world; a look that goes a long way towards fostering a lifelong appreciation of nature.
“I absolutely loved the Nature Scopes program. I think it is important for kids to know the earth
and their surroundings.” ~
Lindsey, Grade 5,
St. Mary’s School |
Geauga Park District’s Nature Scopes is more than just giving students a tool to access nature. Park District staff also work hand-in-hand with participating teachers to meet Ohio's Science Education Standards for 5th Grade. An annual workshop for Nature Scope schools offers teachers continuing education, park-provided lesson plans, a basic overview of binocular use, the chance to network with other teachers, and discover ways to implement natural history into their Ohio Academic Standards. Participating schools even receive a free bird feeder with seed installed on school property for students to observe with their Nature Scopes binoculars.
By participating in the Nature Scopes program, each student receives a pair of Bushnell binoculars and four field guides. During the year long program, students take part in interactive lessons in the classroom, outdoors on school property, or in a Park District park. One such day includes a trip inside a classroom-sized Star Dome where they learn to observe constellations and hear legends associated with them.
The biggest event comes at the end of the school year. In May, Geauga Park District’s Nature Scopes students experience a BinoBlitz! This exciting adventure takes students in the field to observe forest, pond and wetland habitats. They also get to take part in the Nature Scopes Graduation Ceremony – complete with a diploma! |
|
But perhaps the best way to truly capture what Nature Scopes means to students is to hear it in their own words. “I absolutely loved the Nature Scopes program! I think it’s important for kids to know the earth and their surroundings,” said Lindsey, a St. Mary’s fifth grader. Or, as another student simply put it, “In Nature Scopes, I learned that nature is awesome!”
 |
And that’s really the goal of Nature Scopes – showing kids the “awesomeness” of nature by bringing it up close and personal. With that appreciation in hand, Nature Scopes kids will grow to be adults who still see the magic in nature, a magic they will undoubtedly pass along to their own children. So, it’s not an overstatement to say, “It’s amazing what a pair of binoculars can do.” Witness a child using a pair to examine a bug; the joy is unmistakable and the lessons invaluable. Geauga Park District’s Nature Scopes is truly a one of a kind program! |
| “I had never used binoculars before, and now I use them almost every day after school... and on weekends, I search my woods for anything interesting.” ~
Allison, Grade 5 |
Nature Scope Facts:
- The Nature Scopes program provides a unique environmental education curriculum linked to the Ohio Academic Standards for the fifth grade.
- To date, over $45,000 has been received from individuals, foundations, and organizations, including the Marguerite M. Wilson Foundation,the
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, the Dominion Educational Partnership, the Geauga Park District Foundation, the Kiwanis Club of Chardon and the Blackbrook Audubon Society. With their support and that of many generous individuals, Geauga Nature Scopes participants will receive their own set of field guides and a pair of Bushnell Falcon binoculars to continue their exploration of the natural world around them and keep them connected to that sense of wonder that comes with being in the outdoors.
- The Nature Scopes pilot program began in 2003 with two schools and 220 students. Since then, over 1500 students and teachers have participated in the program from six area schools. During the 2009-10 school year the program will serve an additional 422 students from eight different schools.
|
For more information on the
Geauga Park District’s Nature Scopes program, please contact us at: legacy@geaugaparkdistrict.org or call 440.286.9516.
