Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/669580
School in Cathedral City c a l l e d t h e A d v e n t u r e Program. It's part of the Let's Go Outside project, funded by a grant from CTA's Insti- tute for Teaching. e alternative PE program — taught by Palm Springs Teach- ers Association members Bridgette Kennedy and Phil Sanchez — is designed for students who don't participate in team or individual sports. "It's a way for them to stay healthy," says Kennedy. "is is something they can do their entire lives to stay fit, enjoy the outdoors and prevent obesity." e goal is for students to learn how to climb and hike safely, navigate their way around with a map and compass, and mas- ter skills such as knot tying and back-country cooking. ey practice on field trips to nearby Joshua Tree National Park and Indian Canyon. S cience i s al so part of th e curriculum . Students learn about the desert ecosystems and how to treat the landscape with resp ect based on th e principles of L eave No Trace, a national organization. The program, which serves the primarily low-income stu- dent population, started five years ago with one class, and has expanded to five classes with 220 students. Many of the children haven't spent much time enjoying nature. But that is changing, as parents eagerly volunteer to join class outings. Parents who want to take their children on week- end wilderness trips can check out camping kits made available through the program, containing a four-person tent, four sleeping bags, air mat- tresses, a water filtration system, a water pump, a propane stove, a first aid kit, and a lantern. e students love every minute of it. "I am learning how to survive in the wilderness," says seventh-grader Arnulfo Cruz with pride. "If I get lost, I think could find my way out." " You learn a lot about yourself and the world around you," adds Cayden Durham. "is class is an awesome experience." B I O D I V E R S I T Y O N D I S P L AY AT C A L P O LY P O M O N A You don't have to travel to the tropics to see a rainforest; Cal Poly Pomona has one on campus in a huge greenhouse. It's called the Rainforest Learning Center, and it has more than 200 tropical species. It's part of the amazing BioTrek program, which features several unique habitats created and maintained by the biology department's faculty, staff and students. BioTrek includes the Ethnobotany Garden Learning Center, featuring 300 plant spe- cies — plus descriptions of their use in medicine, chemistry, pharmacology and spirituality. e center was created in col- laboration with Gabrielino-Tongva tribal representatives from the Los Angeles area. ere's also the Mesozoic Garden Learning Center, an out- door classroom with seating on large boulders where visitors learn about ancient times. It's surrounded by plants and rocks representing the dinosaur age. Students from area schools frequently take field trips to Phil Sanchez, right, with Melanie Vazquez at James Workman Middle School. Its alternative PE program is part of a project funded by CTA's Institute for Teaching. Bridgette Kennedy, left, with students in her alternative PE class. In addition to physical activity, students also learn about science and the environment. 21 April 2016