Austin Road kindergartners recently participated in an engaging environmental education program led by Julia King, a naturalist from PNW BOCES’ Center for Environmental Education.
During the hands-on lesson, students learned that while meteorologists use special tools to study weather, they also have powerful tools of their own — their five senses. King shared eucalyptus essential oil for the kindergartners to smell. They also had to describe what they were feeling as they touched a hidden object inside a container, which turned out to be a seashell. Together, they explored how to observe weather conditions outdoors by looking, listening, touching, smelling and even noticing how the air feels around them.
“The students had fun using their five senses to explore the weather,” kindergarten teacher Kristin Voorhis said. “It was wonderful to see their curiosity and excitement as they made real-world connections to what they’re learning in class.”