Experiential Learning: Anne Bladen is teaching HDFS 2142E: Exploring Conservation and Sustainability with Preschoolers for the first time this semester in Storrs. The class focuses on developing an ecological identity and how to engage young children in conservation and sustainability projects. Among other assignments, students complete 6 “Nature Immersions,” visit Mirror Lake to discuss Ecological Kinship and explore hands-on activities with different natural materials such as sunflowers, milkweed and pumpkins. 20 students, from a variety of departments and majors, spend 3 hours each week in the preschool classrooms at the Child Labs where they discover that it’s never too early to develop a relationship with nature.