Education at the Preserve

We carry a passion for the outdoors and learn from shared experience.
Awakening scientific curiosity
Field-based study

The Preserve is an 100-acre living laboratory where students and faculty can actively participate in a hands-on learning experience to reveal the mysteries of this unique playa habitat. Our curriculum is a model of expert fieldwork and spurs the scientific curiosity of students who will make meaningful contributions to the next generation of sciences. Programs are offered at no-cost because of donors like you. You may access our suite of virtual and in-person lessons by registering below. Class sizes are limited.

A hybrid class series where children, ages 18mo – 7yrs, learn to love and experience nature in the first years of life. Parents and caregivers accompany their children during each class as the program explores and introduces environmental concepts of the Permian Basin.

This K-2 push-in curriculum uses hands-on activities in the classroom to introduce young students to the essential features of the ecosystems and history of the Preserve. Each grade level is theme-based and has an accompanying song, student journal, and extension activities.

Our grades 3-5 curriculum uses interactive teaching stations at the Preserve to introduce the students to essential ecological principles. The experience has three parts: a classroom introduction with pre-test, a curriculum-based Preserve visit, and a final post-test.

This high school curriculum introduces environmental studies students to the challenges of Preserve management. The experience has three parts: an introduction and self-study on playas, a curriculum-based Preserve visit, and a findings presentation to Preserve staff.

We look forward to seeing you at the Preserve with your class! If you have any questions about registering for a visit, please click here to email our coordinator.