Nurturing the Next Generation: How SCICON is Teaching Children About Conservation and Environmental Stewardship

In the foothills of Tulare County, CA, lies SCICON, a unique school that teaches students about science and conservation. Operated by the Tulare County Office of Education, SCICON hosts over 8,000 fifth and sixth graders every year. The school’s director, Dianne Shew, emphasizes the importance of students learning about nature, taking care of the earth, and developing self-respect.

SCICON covers 1,170 acres and borders National Forest land. This provides a unique outdoor learning experience for students. They can participate in hikes of varying difficulty levels, explore aquatic environments, and visit a museum showcasing local wildlife. The goal is to instill a love and respect for the environment in the younger generation.

For Gavin, the experience at SCICON helped him connect with nature and understand the impact of human actions on the earth. Despite facing challenges like flooding that damaged the school’s fragile habitat, SCICON has received support from various organizations like Friends of SCICON and a grant from Disney Conservation Fund. This grant will help restore the habitat and continue educating children about the importance of conservation efforts.

Volunteers from Disney are working to revitalize the salamander habitat at SCICON. Dianne Shew believes that through education and community effort, future generations can learn to appreciate and protect the environment. The overarching message is that everyone has a role to play in preserving our planet for the future.