The program is called Children’s Environmental Education Program (CEEP) and is for 3rd grade students. It was developed because the teachers in the Fullerton School District had expressed the need for the resources of the Fullerotn Arboretum to be available for their science program. Most elementary teachers are not trained science teachers and have expressed the need and desire for help, especially now that students are being assessed by the state on student knowledge of concepts and content required by the California State Science Standards and curricula. Teachers also requested assistance in lesson planning, presentation and assessment. The program was put together by volunteer teachers, retired teachers and docents (Nature Guides) here at the Arboretum. The Fullerton School District is cooperating in the program and it is well received by teachers, parents, kids and administrators.

The goal of the program is to make the Fullerton Arboretum resources available to teachers and students and provide a living laboratory for the study of life sciences and environmental science. The Life Science Standard established by the California State Department of Education for grade 3, Set 3 defines the concept: “Adaptations in physical structure or behavior may improve an organism’s chance for survival.” Students will learn content, practice process skills and develop a greater sensitivity to the effect changes can have on the environment.

The program provides: a) teacher training/orientation programs, b) classroom lessons before the study-trip to the Arboretum, c) class study-trip to the arboretum, d) follow-up classroom activities and assessments. The study-trip program will focus on concepts included in the required curriculum and include activities directly related to the selected Standard. Content, vocabulary, process skills will be presented. Bus transportation is to be provided for students; lessons, activities and materials to be provided to classroom teachers; and trained science teachers and other experts to be available to train and assist.

Interpretive materials are proposed for children and their parents when they visit the garden. These materials will provide information and activities for families and help them learn and appreciate the environmental relationships and how plants adapt and acommodate to changes in their environment.

Primary beneficiaries will be the children in Fullerton and other North Orange County communities. Other benefits will accrue to the local community, and the larger community, as a result of having young people, their families and friends who are knowledgeable about the world they live in and of the need to conserve and sustain the delicate relationships that exist between all elements of their environment.

It is estimated the program will reach about 750 children, 50+ parents and 25 teachers. The ripple effect will follow: parents, family and friends of 750 children is only the beginning. The secondary impact will be on community organizations.