Authentic science study includes hands-on learning and direct observations. Unfortunately, bringing a large array of mini-ecosystems with all of their animal inhabitants into the classroom is impractical for most teachers. However, at Hidden Villa students have the opportunity to explore a variety of different mini-ecosystems and observe the body form and behavior of many animals. In the garden, students learn about the 6 plant parts and can use this knowledge in the wilderness to appreciate how plants form the base of the food chain. These nature experiences can provide students the information, inspiration and excitement to fuel a deeper study of ecosystems within the classroom. What I particularly enjoy about integrating our study of food-chains with our Hidden Villa field trip is that students have personal experience with the ecosystem of study. Too often students attempt to learn about food chains in faraway and exotic places such as the rainforest or grassland plains of Africa, which are disconnected from their own lives. Although students may not have actually seen all of the animals presented in this unit, they probably saw quite a few of them and there is always that chance that the coyote or cougar was simply hiding in the grass, her camouflage tucking her out of our human sight.