Middle school students enjoyed getting out of the classroom and into the great outdoors Monday during a field trip to Letchworth State Park.
Members of Attica’s Future Farmers of America chapter and special education students in Mrs. Jill Pierce’s class kicked their day off by checking out exhibits at Humphrey Nature Center at the park’s south end.
“It was a great experience between a few of our Middle School Future Farmers of America members, as well as students from Mrs. Pierce's room,” said Susie Baker, an FFA advisor who accompanied students on the trip. “It was great to watch kids interact with each other, when normally they would not have that opportunity to do so while in school.”
After seeing what the nature center had to offer, students headed outside, where environmental educators led them on a hike through the woods and taught them about invasive species of plants, birds and mammals.
After lunch, students headed to Letchworth’s Autism Nature Trail, said Baker.
The first-of-its-kind in the United States, the trail is a one-mile loop that was designed with visitors on the autism spectrum in mind. It includes different stations that offer a range of experiences from quiet engagement to active exploration for individuals of different abilities.
Baker said the trip was a good chance for FFA members and students in Pierce’s class to connect.
“I wanted them to experience this together as a way to build socialization skills around nature,” she said. “I know my FFA kids had a great time. It was great for me as an advisor and educator to watch my FFA kids interact with kids outside the classroom. They had conversations and helped the kids with the various activities throughout the day. I know one of Jill's students said it was the best field trip he's ever been on!”
Photos courtesy of Susie Baker
Middle school students got out of the classroom and into the great outdoors Monday during a field trip to Letchworth State Park. Students toured the Humphrey Nature Center, learned about invasive species and walked the Autism Nature Trail, which includes different stations that offer a range of experiences for individuals of different abilities.