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Bosque School
Bosque School

Field & Community Science

Bosque School is committed to bringing to life the idea of “science that matters beyond the classroom” by providing Albuquerque students hands-on applied opportunities not just to learn science but to do science. By working alongside professional scientists and contributing to multi-decade data sets that inform statewide decisions, our students develop critical thinking and analytical skills that translate across academics and into future career paths.

student working outside with woodshop tools

Research shows that hands-on learning and meaningful application deepen student engagement and retention of knowledge. In addition to offering courses in physics, anatomy & physiology, chemistry, and pre-med immersive opportunities, we are also renowned for our Field & Community Science Program — which has been in partnership with the University of New Mexico's Department of Biology since 1996. Bosque School also partners with many land management agencies (including the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the National Park Service, The U.S. Geological Survey, and the City of Albuquerque Open Space) in support of authentic research and skill development through scientific inquiry and hands-on learning.

Bosque School’s Field & Community Science Program aligns with our deep commitment to broader community engagement. We partner with local K-12 schools (many of which are designated as Title 1 schools) to provide a comprehensive science education unit that includes:

Students in classroom

1.

A home classroom orientation session complete with a knowledge and standards-based pre-test, hands-on activities to prepare students to ethically, safely, and properly work with wild animals, and a general program overview. Students receive reading-level appropriate information about the animals they will work with on their upcoming field study trip to the bosque.

Students at the bosque

2.

At least one field-study trip to specific sites on or adjacent to Bosque School’s campus, where students participate in a wildlife research project (such as small mammal trapping, bird mist-netting, amphibian capture, monarch butterfly tagging, and a habitat assessment activity).

3.

A home classroom post-trip meeting with one or more of the project’s educators to analyze data and create a mathematical-focused visual representation of their findings. Students will also select an environmental topic that ties to their field research, resulting in a related art and ecology project that they will present.

 

Bosque School students teach and learn in collaboration with students from our partner schools. Together, and supported by Bosque School's Field & Community Science educators, students directly engage in our "science that matters beyond the classroom" philosophy. Many of our hosted field science activities provide Bosque School students with authentic opportunities for peer leadership, collaboration with community members, and the joy that is sharing nature with others.

Students enter the pond to take samples

My experiences at Bosque School, learning about the riparian ecosystem and collecting scientific data in the field, really shaped and inspired my career. As the Wilderness Stewardship Manager with New Mexico Wild, I still draw on skills and techniques I learned in the field at Bosque School. I am forever grateful for those experiences as they are now a big part of who I am and the work I do.

Will Ribbans, Bosque Alum, 2012
Wilderness Stewardship and Outreach Manager,
New Mexico Wild

Building on the foundation of our commitment to science education that extends beyond the classroom, Bosque School launched the Field & Community Science Program during the 2023-2024 school year. Designed to foster meaningful connections with Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Title I schools, this program provides hands-on science experiences that benefit both Bosque School students and their APS peers. Bosque students serve as peer educators, sharing their knowledge through activities such as bird banding, watershed monitoring, and wildlife studies. Faculty collaborate with visiting teachers to align these experiences with classroom learning, ensuring impactful outcomes.

In its inaugural year, the program hosted over 700 students, many of whom had limited access to hands-on science education. For these students, this program offered a rare opportunity to engage in meaningful fieldwork. 

To ensure accessibility, the Field & Community Science Program is offered at no cost to participating students and schools, with all expenses covered by philanthropic support. Every visiting student receives a copy of the Oxbow Wildlife Guide, a resource written, illustrated, and narrated by Bosque School students, alumni, and faculty. This commitment removes barriers and creates transformative opportunities for students who may not otherwise have access to experiential science education.

Now in its second year, the Field & Community Science Program aims to expand its reach to over 1,000 students. With additional funding, such as $50,000 from the Albuquerque Community Foundation, the program plans to enhance the pre- and post-visit curriculum and scale its impact. This initiative not only supports students statewide but also reinforces Bosque School’s mission as a “private school with a public purpose” and reinforces our commitment to remove barriers by creating transformative opportunities for students who may not otherwise have access to experiential science education.

My students participated in meaningful fieldwork, looking for amphibians in the Jemez and catching and taking data on rodents in the bosque. Ms. Kim visited us in the classroom afterward to analyze data and synthesize our learning. My school is located in an urban setting where creating opportunities in the field is difficult to attain. Our work with the Bosque School was meaningful and high-quality, and I hope to be able to collaborate with them in the future.

Middle School Teacher, Title 1 Partner School