PreK students from Northeast and Southwest campuses took a field trip to Discovery Green Nov. 14 where they unleashed energy, had a picnic, learned about recycling and heard about the dangers of smoking.
That’s right. Representatives from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center believe that a person is never too young to learn about the consequences of tobacco use. They delivered their message in the form of a puppet show that entertained and educated the children.
In addition to face-to-face contact, MD Anderson Cancer Center has been reaching out to Texas children with an interactive, arcade-style video game aimed at curbing tobacco use among at at-risk teens.
The day at Discovery Green, a 12-acre park created by a public-private partnership between the City of Houston and the non-profit Discovery Green Conservancy, also was a lesson about recycling. The students took advantage of the park’s recreational facilities and appreciated the greenery and open space the park has to offer.
"The kids learned a lot because the trip was tied to the importance of recycling." said Northeast Campus teacher Melissa Blacknell. "They were able to point out the recycling bins and identify the recycling symbols."
"Discovery Green stands as a beaming example of environmental best practices applied to a public project that has become the centerpiece of Houston's downtown," Houston Mayor Annise Parker says on the Discovery Green website.
After the puppet show, the students asked several questions and then proceeded to enjoy a healthy outdoor lunch.