The Cooper Center in Tucson has three major focuses for its students: to enhance their positive experiences in nature, to give them basic ecological understandings and to inspire them to live in more sustainable lives.
More than 130,000 middle and elementary school students have undergone training at the Cooper Center and that number is expected to grow.
Colin Waite is the center’s director and said hands-on experience in key.
“The programs that we offer are supplementing classroom science education so it is something that is going to enhance what's happening in the classroom through that real world experience," Waite said.
The Cooper Center believes the programs will help students’ academic performance, and spark their interest in environmental issues.
