“Are these sea shells?” a student asks, peering at an assortment of curved shells spread out on a table.

“No, these aren’t from the ocean” replies Brant Fisher from the Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area. “These are freshwater mussels, and they live right here in Indiana’s rivers and streams.”

Students from Mintonye Elementary School and James Cole Elementary School lean in for a closer look, eager to match shell halves and marvel at the role these creatures play in keeping rivers clean.

That is one of many hands-on experiences during Nature Quest. Environmental experts from around the state guide second graders from Cole Elementary School and Mintonye Elementary School through a day of discovery—digging in soil, birdwatching, learning about insects, trees and more.

From bird watching with binoculars to digging into healthy soil teeming with insects, students rotated through a series of 25-minute sessions led by environmental professionals from across the state. Each station offered a new way to experience the outdoors—exploring freshwater mussels and their role in keeping rivers clean, learning how dragonflies see the world, identifying local tree species and understanding how different soils retain water.

“My favorite part was the person who was telling us about hellbenders,” says Joshua Salazar from Mintonye Elementary School. Hellbenders are aquatic salamanders that thrive in healthy ecosystems.

“It was really fun fishing because we got to do it on our own,” says classmate Alayna Flickinger. “We caught a lot of fish!”

Whether reeling in a fish with a DNR officer or matching mussel shells into pairs, students discovered new interests and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Some were surprised to learn how many insects live in healthy soil, while others found they had a knack for spotting birds tucked into tree branches. Everywhere you looked, students were making discoveries—sometimes with muddy hands, wide eyes, or big smiles.

“It was fun,” says second grader Ira Harris from Cole Elementary. “I like that we got to put clay on our hands and learned about keeping water clean.”

“My hope is for students to carry this sense of curiosity and connection with nature into their everyday lives,” Organizer and Water Quality Educator Christopher says. “When young people feel confident exploring the outdoors, they’re more likely to care about protecting it.”