Hi, it's Sarai again! There's this park in the Pocket called Portuguese Community Park, and it's one of our coolest parks. It's got trees, grass, and a lot of nature. I've noticed that lots of kids come there to play, but they're also learning science without even knowing it!

When I go to Portuguese Community Park with my father, we look at bugs, pick up interesting leaves, and watch birds. My father tells me what kind of bugs they are and how birds build nests. My sister Alani thinks it's the best thing ever. We don't have to go to a fancy camp to learn about nature; we can just go to the park.

“Informal science learning means you learn without a test or homework.”
— Sarai's teacher

There are 18 public parks in the Pocket, but Portuguese Community Park is one of my favorites because it feels wilder. Kids from all over the neighborhood come there to play, and they all learn something about nature. My teacher says that's called informal science learning, which means you learn without a test or homework.

I wish more kids knew that they can learn science at the park. You don't need a lab or expensive equipment. You just need your eyes, your brain, and curiosity. The Pocket has so many parks, and they're all like free science labs for kids like me and my sister Alani.

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Sarai Moten is a staff reporter at The Kid Reporter based in Sacramento, CA. To read more of her work, visit the newsroom →