The Gulf Coast Coastal Program participated in the Corpus Christi School of Science and Technology’s Gifted and Talented Spring Festival earlier this year. The school is an elementary school with a focus on science, technology and math. The festival is designed for the students to learn about science applications and tools and to create a space for the students to present their projects. At the Service’s station, Coastal Program staff introduced the students to a fundamental tool of field biology – binoculars.
The Coastal Program staff brought several pairs of binoculars designed for use by children. In the hallway where the event was held, the staff taped images of different bird species at varying distances and heights simulating the experience of spotting birds in the wild.
As the first students arrived, the Coastal Program staff began with a demonstration. They showed them how to adjust the focus knob, fit the barrels to their eyes, and hold the binoculars steady – no easy task for a group of eight-year-olds. Groups rotated through the station throughout the day and some parents even joined in, picking up binoculars and learning a new skill alongside their children.
Some students were initially hesitant but once they spotted their first bird photo, they were eager to challenge themselves to find others. The Coastal Program staff explained how field biologists use binoculars to observe and monitor wildlife, and how careful observation is often the first step in effective conservation.
A few students quickly began asking more advanced questions about bird behavior and migration. Their enthusiasm and sharp observation skills were a reminder of how capable and curious kids can be when equipped with the right tools and encouragement. By the end of the event, the Coastal Program staff had engaged 70 students. Each student took away a better understanding of how scientists study wildlife, and with better skills to enjoy natural wonders outside.
Community engagement events like the festival do not require complicated equipment or slick presentations, just time, patience, and enthusiasm. Sometimes, all it takes to spark a lifelong interest in science or wildlife viewing is a clear view through a pair of binoculars.
