Lower School Encounters Wildlife Up Close through Outdoor Education
September 24, 2026
A quiet hush fell over Lower School’s young learners on the Rogers Family Community Staircase (RoCS) on Thursday, as a majestic raptor spread its wings just feet away from their seats. The special visit grew out of a Pre-K unit dedicated to studying eagles. Wanting to bring the lesson to life, faculty reached out to the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center to arrange an age-appropriate presentation on birds of prey, inviting Charlotte the owl inside the Lower School.
Recognizing a unique educational moment, science teachers expanded the invitation to first-graders, who dissect owl pellets as part of their hands-on curriculum. Carmen and Don Godwin Family Associate Head of Lower School Amy Cuccia further extended the invitation to other Early Childhood classes.
“Any chance for students to connect with nature, no matter how big or small, is a win for Outdoor Education,” said Scout Woodward, Assistant Director of the Lutken/Eason Outdoor Program. “The students were engaged, paid attention, and asked great questions. Bringing nature inside while introducing big concepts in ways they can understand in the Lower School prepares students for success when they get to their Middle School Outdoor Education Programs.”
For young children, the chance to observe a wild raptor up close is a rare experience, and the students met the moment with rapt attention. Throughout the presentation, hands shot up as students asked thoughtful questions about raptor and owl adaptations, from keen night vision to specialized talons. Some even practiced their owl impersonations with impeccable accuracy!
Moments like these form the bedrock of ESD's Outdoor Education philosophy. By sparking curiosity about nature during the early years, educators lay the foundation for the more advanced science and outdoor programs students will encounter later in their educational journeys.
