Nature Exchange Tours
We offer two tour programs for school groups to learn more about the natural world through the Nature Exchange at the Springs Preserve, aligned with Nevada State Standards.
The Nature Exchange is based on the concept of trading items found in nature, which encourages curiosity, discovery and respect of the natural world. Visitors collect, preserve and research items found in nature, from which they earn points based on the item's condition, size and rarity. Best of all, they can earn points for the information they share, either verbally or in the form of reports, journals or photographs. Once the trade is complete, traders can use their points like currency in the Nature Exchange to “purchase” other interesting natural items from around the world. Through this process, traders are rewarded for their curiosity, initiative and enthusiasm while learning to respect nature and become environmental stewards.
Tours are offered Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon. Guided tours are limited to one class at a time. There should be one chaperone or teacher for every five students. Additional chaperones pay $9.95 admission.
School tour booking for the 2010-11 school year is underway for all schools. Call Springs Preserve Education at (702) 822-7744 to schedule Nature Exchange tours.
Program Option One: Trade-Based
Before the visit, the teacher divides the students into groups of four or five students. Each group finds a natural item to research and trade, or the teacher gives each group one item to research and trade.
The groups gather information about their objects. This can be a combination of observation and study of the object, which includes measuring, weighing, diagramming, photographing, comparing, etc, along with researching the item in books, online, or by speaking with an expert (geologist, botanist, entomologist, etc). The groups create reports, dioramas, and/or posters about their items.
When the class comes to the Nature Exchange at the Springs Preserve, each group takes a turn making a presentation about their natural item to their classmates, chaperones and the Nature Exchange staff. The students earn points based on how thorough their presentations are and how well they present their projects – the more they impress the staff with their hard work, the more points they earn!
The students then spend their points on items from the Nature Exchange, which they can take home with them and keep or bring back to the classroom and study. They may choose from rocks, minerals, fossils, seashells, preserved insects, and plant specimens from all over the world.
Program Option Two: Exploration-Based
The students arrive at the Nature Exchange ready to learn about a natural item provided for their study. The class is divided into four groups; each group is assigned a unique natural item to study by measuring, reading, drawing/diagramming, and watching a brief DVD.
Each group then presents what they have learned to the rest of the class. In return for their work, the students take home a small pre-determined natural item as a prize. However, the chaperones and staff vote to determine which group did the best job with their research and presentation, and the students in that group get a special prize.
Nevada State Standards
Subscribe
Subscribe to receive e-mail messages about events and activities at the Preserve.
Subscribe »
Experience Membership
Become a member of the Springs Preserve and experience the benefits of membership.
