Page 14 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2024 - Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

Texas Tech–

Junction Center

GOLD(EN OPPORTUNITY)

IN THE HILLS (COUNTRY)

by Robert Stubblefield

he Texas Tech University Center at Junction has to four college credits beginning
served the greater West Texas region for 53 years mid-May through June every
Tand continues to be a service-oriented program year. Courses offered include
within the Texas Tech University System. Herpetology, Field Ecology,
Mammalogy, Ornithology,
Located in the heart of Texas Hill County, the 411-acre Field Geography, Photography,
center is in the town of Junction, and its property is Design Interactive Experiences,
bisected by the picturesque South Llano River. The Texas and Wildlife Techniques. Each
Tech-Junction Center provides academic, research and course is a 15-day, intensive
service programs to expand educational, economic, program offered at both the
and cultural opportunities throughout the Hill Country undergraduate and graduate
region. student levels.

The Texas Tech-Junction Center is also used by a The Texas Tech-Junction Center is also home to the
variety of public and private organizations, including Outdoor Learning Center (OLC), which provides STEM-
professional, scientific, and educational groups for based curriculum that incorporates hands-on, inquiry-
conferences and workshops. These events benefit local based learning aligned with state-mandated curriculum
and regional landowners as well as the stewardship and that teaches K-12 students science using the outdoors.
conservation in the Texas Hill Country. The OLC is also used as a field-based science and math
enrichment program to train and mentor pre-service
During the summer, Texas Tech students can enroll in one teachers and undergraduate education students while
of the center’s field-based science courses earning three
improving science and math education for independent
school districts throughout the state.

The original curriculum was developed in partnership
with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Texas Tech’s
T-STEM Center, the Lower Colorado River Authority, the
National Park Service, and various school districts. Since
its inception in 2003, the OLC has provided professional
development and science/nature education opportunities
to more than 40,000 students and parents, and thousands
of teachers.

“The children saw, experienced, touched, and learned
more than a week in a classroom could provide. More
importantly, we saw learning and teaching going on
the way we know it should… They got to get down and

14 Lubbock Senior Link