As part of the Houston ISD magnet programs, our school has been educating 5th grade students about science and the environment, history, and social behavior for over 30 years.  In the short time that students spend at the OEC, improved understanding of TEKS concepts and improved behavior are commonly noted.

Students participate in hands-on interdisciplinary experiences, forming impressions which last a lifetime.  The program is correlated to the 5th grade TEKS so students do not miss out on valuable classtroom instruction.  Most HISD teachers find the OEC experience to be a valuable tool for science and social studies instruction, as they draw upon and build on lessons learned here.  The Outdoor Education Center is designed to be a party of HISD's 5th grade curriculum.

Finally, we at the OEC have included in our mission for 30+ years the promotion of environmentally responsible behaviors.  The world is starting to catch up with us, but we still feel that it is important for students to see firsthand how human behaviors affect the natural world and how these natural processes are essential to our quality of life.  This is critical to understanding and changing attitudes and behaviors in a fragile world.