INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Children gathered excitedly as they headed to the buses just outside of Incline Middle School. They seemed eager to start their weekly Exploratory classes as Principal Dan Lediard greeted his students with a fist bump. For a group of 6th and 7th graders, today’s destination: Pet Network Humane Society.

The Exploratory classes, originally dubbed “teacher passion projects” by Lediard’s predecessor, Carrie McDonald, were first introduced as a means to get students back into school after COVID-19. 

According to a Nevada Department of Education report, as of the 2022-2023 school year, chronic absenteeism in the silver state reached 34.9%.

“I applaud [McDonald] so much for starting this. First, she changed the bell schedule, which requires approval from the district, but then she tasked teachers with bringing their own passion projects, like their hobbies and interests, into the school and showing the students,” Lediard said. 

Lediard took over as principal the following year, and with his science background as a biology major in college and his experience as a 6-12th grade science teacher, he realized that Incline Middle School was meeting most, if not all requirements to be a STEM school. They just didn’t have the designation yet.

“When I got to the [passion project] piece, I thought ‘Wow, this is really cool! This could be the bread and butter of our STEM’. So we changed the name, and called it the Exploratory class.” 

Lediard began reshaping the classes by blending education with community while harboring hopes of giving his teachers a much needed break. “They were burnt out after COVID,” added Lediard. “I recognized that feeling on my teachers’ faces. So I thought, ‘Let’s bring the community members in as much as possible.'”

Thus the Exploratory program, funded by Incline Education Fund, now had a multifaceted undertaking as each of the classes were separated into categories such as Arts and Environment, Technology and Entrepreneurship, as well as Athletics or College and Career. 

As students entered the Pet Network Humane Society to learn about Veterinary Science under the College and Careers umbrella, it was clear their interests were peaked. 

Maddie, a seventh grader who recently transferred to Incline Middle School, said she enjoys learning about animals when she comes to the Pet Network. “I think [Exploratory classes] are really good for being able to learn more about other things,” Maddie said. “It definitely gives people more opportunities than most schools do, and I think they should incorporate it more in other school districts.”

Maddie and her classmates were given a chance to practice performing intake observations for dogs currently residing inside the nonprofit. 

With clipboards in hand, they approached each dog room with curiosity and elation.

“We’re looking at body posture – their ears, eyes, face and mouth, to see if the dogs have fear, anxiety or stress,” said 6th grader, Hudson. 

As they analyzed each dog’s behavior, they discussed with fellow classmates whether the dog had a wagging tail, pinned-back ears, or wide eyes.

Christina Mackey is the Admissions Manager at Pet Network, and what the students are learning is just a sliver of what Mackey does on a daily basis. 

“I’m the one who works with the other shelters and rescues to plan transfers. I bring cats and dogs in, and help evaluate them, behaviorally and medically,” said Mackey, and with a smile on her face, she added, “I get to name them as well,” noting that she always has baskets at the front desk for name suggestions. 

“I really enjoy explaining what I do,” said Mackey. “Educating the youth on the shelter experience, letting them know that careers in animal welfare are an option.” 

When asked whether they saw themselves working with animals in the future, every student said yes. 

Moving on from the intake observation task, the children were split up into groups. One group stayed with the dogs, and the other went into kitten kennels where they learned how to put together a comfortable and habitable environment for kittens. 

The students took turns adorning the kennel with things like a water bowl, blankets, a cat-scratcher and toys. 

Exploratory classes offer kids a chance to engage in hands-on activities such as these, and through these experiences, they take home knowledge or newfound interests they wouldn’t otherwise typically receive until later in life.

Avalanche training, robotics, mountain biking, financial literacy, civic engagement – these are just a few of the many hands-on pursuits offered through the program which has received positive reception from community members and organizations alike, including Pet Network. 

“I love the middle school age,” said Aria Overli, Volunteer and Foster Manager at Pet Network. “It’s such a fun age. They’re really starting to get a lot more independent and interested in the world and what their future is going to look like. It’s such a great opportunity for them to learn how to care for animals, to learn about these kinds of careers, to become future adopters, future volunteers, future donors, and possibly veterinarians or animal welfare workers. Seeing their excitement is really incredible to watch.”