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Teachers are given many motivational and inspirational sayings to help them through a school year. Sometimes these sayings come on a coffee mug, sometimes from the principal at a staff meeting. One of my favorites has always been, “Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.” by William Butler Yeats.
At Patrick Ranch Museum we want to light that fire of inspiration, passion and understanding in students through the exploration of 28 acres of plants, water, bees and historic buildings. We remain committed to the vision that Hester Patrick held of using her land and home to inspire and educate about our natural history and the agricultural significance of this area.
Field trips are now available at Patrick Ranch Museum on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays throughout the year. For the low cost of $3.00 per student, classes will be able to choose from a selection of exploration stations. Students can learn about earthworms and spend time observing them, both in compost piles and in scientific study. There are also opportunities to learn about the 400 crops California produces, understand the vast amounts of water used in California and try their hand at diverting water from one bucket (“the river”) to another bucket (“the cities") using only limited materials. By performing two different bee “dances”, students will understand how bees communicate to one another and then participate in a pollen relay. Students will also gain some understanding of the Native Americans that lived in this area by using the grindstones found on the property. Lastly, students will do experiments on soil samples as they explore ideas on our important water sources.
As students walk around the historic ranch we hope they will feel more connected to this area. To sit in the shade of 250-year-old oak trees, to learn the significance of an 1877 tank house, to understand the importance of the lowly earthworm and tiny bee for our own existence, can all lead to the “lighting of a fire” in a young person's mind.
Come explore with us! Please call Patrick Ranch Museum and plan a field trip today! Find out more about Pumpkin Patch Field Trips
Call 342-4359 or e-mail officeprm@patrickranchmuseum.org , and see you at the Ranch!
Mary Davis
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