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Last week, students from Grade 2 traveled to Siem Reap to visit the Nature Discovery Center of Cambodia (NDC), run by Fauna in Focus, an environmental education and public awareness NGO. The NDC is an interactive nature learning and conservation training facility. Grade 2 students explored the wonders of Cambodia’s biodiversity and learned about plants, animals and natural sciences through hands-on exploration.

Ms. Ryan, Grade 2 teacher, said, “We have been studying a unit on fossils since the beginning of Quarter 4 so it was a perfect opportunity to explore paleontology. In science, we have also been learning about plants, animals, and their habitats. The students learned how we can all make a real difference in protecting their environment.”

Nisa ’29 said, “I loved exploring the garden as it had so many bees and flowers. The whole place was amazing and we learned so much. They had models of birds and we saw a movie about the endangered Sarus Crane.”

The students were eager to see the center’s numerous learning stations and interactive displays especially the DINO DIG station which was a favorite for some of the budding paleontologists. They loved using tools to dig for ‘dinosaur bones.’ Sovanna ’29 said, “My favorite part of the trip was digging for fossils and putting them together to make a dinosaur. It was a T. rex.”

The INSECT STATION was also a real hit as was the BIRDS OF CAMBODIA display which included information about some of Cambodia’s 600 bird species and local conservation efforts to help ensure their survival. The CONSERVATION ZONE showed some of the threats to Cambodia’s biodiversity and some of the possible solutions.

Sodanet ’29 said, “I enjoyed playing HABITAT CHALLENGE. We learned about where different animals live and what they eat. Then we had to build a habitat using puzzles and placing animals into their correct habitat.”

Grade 2 teacher, Ms. Valentina, said, “I really enjoyed taking the students to the NDC as it made a great impression on them. The station about threats to Cambodian’s wildlife was especially impactful. Some of my students told me they would really like to bring their parents to the center to explain to them the importance of taking care of nature. It shows the students really understand that they can make others aware of the problems Cambodian’s wildlife is facing and that they can make a difference.”

Grade 2 would like to thank everyone at NDC.