Desert Discovery Field Studies
The Desert Discovery Field Studies (DDFS) program provides students from underserved desert communities with an innovative and safe way of learning about desert ecology and conservation. This immersive program helps students become inspired advocates for their desert home.
At the program core is a rigorous academic environmental education curriculum designed with engaging lessons about the natural world that complement and augment all subject areas and grades. MDLT adheres to both Next Generation Science Standards and environmental best practices in creating each lesson. When students investigate and share their discoveries with others, they learn faster, understand better, and retain information for longer. Teachers and school administrators value the program because it gives students an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to the real world.
Desert Discovery Field Studies is supported through grants from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the Inland Empire Community Foundation, and the Society for Science.
What People Are Saying
“I love the programing for my 5th graders. It is great to have a part of our community come be a part of our learning. ALL students enjoy this program and are excited for the day to come that Miss Mary will be there!”
“We saw the birds, we saw the trees.
I see the life and every living thing.
I feel the rocks.
I feel the flowers.
I feel the tracks.
I hear the birds chirping.
I hear the leaves fall.
I hear the snakes rattling.
I hear the crow say cah cah.
I smell the flowers.
I smell the leaves.
I smell those nasty owl pellets.”
– Joseph Paulino, 5th grade, Yucca Valley Elementary School
“The glistening sun shines bright in the Coachella Valley. The perfumed flowers stand out immensely. The blue birds who flew above me left me in a great state of shock. I like gazing at the yellow-orangey sun at sunset to top off my day in the Coachella Valley.”
Desert poetry composed by Desert Discovery Field Studies students.