The Center is turning the beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and meadows of the Inland Bays watershed into interactive outdoor classrooms for young learners. The Student Estuary Exploration (SEE) Program consists of interactive, nature-based learning opportunities for children from preschool to high-school. The goal is to increase environmental literacy—defined as “an individual’s understanding, skills and motivation to make responsible decisions that considers their relationships to natural systems, communities and future generations” (Oregon State University).

A fundamental component of the SEE Program is the incorporation of outdoor science activities offered by the Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning & Expertise Sharing project (beetlesproject.org) which is supported by current pedagogy about how people learn. Where appropriate, lessons are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and include Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math (STEAM) practices. 

The SEE Program is offered free of charge and primarily takes place outdoors at the James Farm Ecological Preserve in Ocean View, DE. The Center also offers off-site and virtual learning opportunities to accommodate individual group needs.

Interested in bringing your class or youth group to the Preserve? Contact the Center’s Manager of Environmental Education, Jackie Knoll at [email protected] or (302) 226-8105 ext. 708