Students from the kindergarten classes at West Elementary School in Knoxville took the opportunity to learn about nature close up on Thursday, as they ventured over to Marion County Park for a special day of learning.

Marion County Park Day involved taking groups of students around the park to learn about different subjects, experiencing the natural world on the spot.

Mandy VanderLinden is a kindergarten teacher at West; she tells KNIA/KRLS News this is an opportunity for kids to have fun and exercise, even as they learn valuable information.

“It’s just a fun time to get out and enjoy nature, and all the stations we do, we do six different stations and they’re all dealing with nature,” VanderLinden says.

Topics covered include planting seeds, bird calling and making bird feeders, corn, animal furs from Iowa, butterflies and the butterfly cycle, and bees and honey.