Nature Studies with
Dr. Geoff PhD Marine Biologist
Bugs, Bees, Butterflies, Birds & Beyond
An 6 - Week Nature Studies Adventure for Ages 6–12
Mondays | 9:30–11:30 AM
Oak & Arrow Academy | Golden Gate Estates, Naples, Florida
Explore • Observe • Investigate • Discover
Step outside and discover the amazing world God has created!
In this hands-on nature studies class, students become Nature Detectives, exploring birds, butterflies, bees, insects, flowers, trees, fungi, and other living things found right in their own backyard.
Each week combines outdoor exploration, simple scientific investigations, hands-on activities, nature journaling, videos, and discussion.
Students will learn how to observe wildlife, investigate habitats, record scientific discoveries, and understand the connections between living things, their environment, and their Creator God.
As the course progresses, each student will choose a nature topic that interests them and complete an individual research project, giving them an opportunity to develop their own area of expertise and share what they discover.
What Students Will Learn
Throughout the 8-week adventure, students will explore:
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Bees & Pollinators — Discover how bees and other pollinators help plants reproduce, why they are essential to ecosystems, and how God designed plants and pollinators to work together.
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Butterflies & Metamorphosis — Explore caterpillars, host plants, chrysalises, migration, the butterfly life cycle, and common Southwest Florida butterflies.
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Bugs & Insects — Investigate insect anatomy, life cycles, camouflage, defense mechanisms, beneficial insects, and safe specimen observation.
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Birds & Birdwatching — Learn to identify local birds through their appearance, behavior, habitats, nests, songs, beaks, and feathers.
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Flowers & Native Plants — Discover plant parts, pollination, seed production, native Florida plants, and relationships between plants and wildlife.
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Trees & Habitats — Identify trees and leaves and discover how trees provide food, shelter, and important wildlife habitat.
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Fungi & Decomposers — Explore mushrooms, fungi, decomposition, soil health, and the important role decomposers play in nature.
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Nature Detective Skills — Use magnifying glasses, field guides, observation, comparison, identification, and simple scientific investigations.
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Nature Journaling — Sketch specimens, record observations, ask questions, take measurements, and document discoveries.
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Scientific Thinking — Practice observing, asking questions, investigating, comparing results, and communicating discoveries.
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Independent Nature Research — Choose an area of nature to investigate, develop an area of expertise, and share discoveries with the class.
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Biblical Creation & Stewardship — Study the natural world through a biblical worldview, recognize God as Creator, and discover what Scripture teaches about caring responsibly for His creation.
Young Naturalists Doing Real Fieldwork
This isn't designed to feel like a traditional science class.
Students will spend time outside touching, collecting, observing, identifying, journaling, investigating, asking questions, and making discoveries.
As young naturalists, they'll learn to use simple scientific tools and methods while experiencing the extraordinary biodiversity found right here in Southwest Florida.
Our 6-Week Nature Adventure
The course begins with students becoming Nature Detectives and discovering the living world surrounding them. They'll participate in nature treasure hunts, investigate tiny backyard wildlife, build simple observation tools and Bug Hotels, explore soil and decomposers, and learn how scientists safely observe and release living specimens.
As their skills grow, students will choose their own area of nature to investigate. Topics might include butterflies, birds, bees, dragonflies, spiders, ants, mushrooms, native Florida plants, trees, pond life, reptiles, amphibians, wild edible plants, nature photography, scientific drawing, or wildlife habitats.
Students will gather observations, organize their findings in their Nature Journals, draw conclusions, and ultimately share what they've discovered with their classmates.
A Christ-Centered Learning Environment
At Oak & Arrow Academy, nature study is more than learning the names of plants and animals.
Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to see the beauty, complexity, diversity, and order of God's creation while learning their responsibility to care for it.
Scripture, stewardship, curiosity, and scientific discovery are woven throughout the experience.
Our goal is simple: to help children fall in love with God's creation, become curious about the natural world, and grow into thoughtful, responsible stewards of the world around them.
Individual Nature Research Project
As the course progresses, each student will select an area of nature that especially interests them.
They'll develop questions, make predictions, create a simple investigation plan, gather observations, organize their findings, and learn how to draw basic scientific conclusions.
During the final class, students will have an opportunity to share their Nature Journals, individual projects, observations, drawings, and favorite discoveries as part of a Celebration of Learning.
Tuition
Tuition: $250 per student
Tuition covers the complete 6-week Nature Studies session.
Program Details
Ages: 6–12
Day: Mondays
Time: 9:30–11:30 AM
Session Length: 8 weeks
Dates: September 21 & 28 • October 5, 12, 19 & 26 • November 2 & 9
Tuition: $250 per student
Location: Oak & Arrow Academy, 440 9th St. NW, Golden Gate Estates, Naples, Florida
Most importantly, we hope students leave inspired to keep exploring, keep asking questions, keep discovering, and faithfully care for God's amazing creation.
🌿 Our 6-Week Nature Studies Journey
Week 1 — Backyard Discovery: The Wonders of God’s Living Creation
Students receive their Nature Journals, learn how to observe like young scientists, participate in a Nature Treasure Hunt, and conduct their first simple wildlife investigation. The week begins with Genesis 1:31: “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” Seasonal wild edible plants may also be introduced by Dr. Geoff.
Week 2 — Discovering Tiny Backyard Wildlife
Students explore insects and other small creatures, investigate microhabitats, compare what creatures are attracted to different environments, build simple observation traps, and begin creating Bug Hotels. They'll discover the four basic needs of wildlife: food, water, shelter, and space.
Week 3 — Becoming Backyard Scientists
Students learn how scientists safely collect, observe, record, and release living specimens. They'll explore logs, grasses, bushes, and leaf litter, build simple scientific collection tools, work on their Bug Hotels, and document discoveries in their Nature Journals. They'll also begin thinking about a topic for their individual nature investigation.
Week 4 — The Hidden World Beneath Our Feet
Students investigate soil, leaf litter, fungi, decomposers, nutrient recycling, and forest health. They'll use simple scientific equipment to examine specimens and discover why even tiny organisms play important roles in an ecosystem. Adventurous students may even have an opportunity to sample a freeze-dried cricket!
Week 5 — Choose Your Own Nature Investigation
Each Nature Detective chooses an area of nature that especially interests them and begins an individual research project. Topics might include butterflies, birds, bees, dragonflies, spiders, mushrooms, Florida plants, reptiles, amphibians, pond life, wild edibles, nature photography, or wildlife habitats. Students develop questions, make predictions, and begin gathering observations.
Week 6 — Conducting Scientific Investigations
Students put their research plans into action! They'll collect outdoor observations and record species, numbers, locations, measurements, behaviors, sketches, maps, or habitat conditions. Back in the Discovery Lab, they'll organize their findings while Dr. Geoff helps them identify species and think more deeply about their discoveries.
Week 7 — Drawing Conclusions & Sharing Discoveries
Students complete their final observations and transform their notes, drawings, questions, and discoveries into a finished nature project. They'll learn how to draw simple scientific conclusions and practice presenting what they've discovered to their classmates.
Week 8 — Celebrating God’s Living Creation
The final week is a Celebration of Learning! Students share their individual nature projects, Nature Journals, scientific discoveries, drawings, and favorite experiences. The class reflects on biblical stewardship and closes with a Nature Detective Graduation. Students take home their completed journals and Bug Hotels and may receive a Certificate of Completion and a special nature surprise from Dr. Geoff.