OREM -- While some students might have been learning from a book about how leaves change colors, on Thursday a group of Orem elementary school students was having the same lesson in Provo Canyon.

That's the difference between traditional classes and the Unified Studies program at Orem High School.

The Unified Studies program held its annual Elementary Education Day on Thursday with two participating schools. Sixty-five second-grade students from Scera Park Elementary and 135 students from Bonneville Elementary left their classrooms and went to South Fork Park to spend the day outside learning about nature, animals, bugs and camping.

"The leaves are turning color. It's very beautiful here," said Sara Thorpe, a second-grader at Scera Park. "I think its fun. I learned not to make a mess, don't litter and always play nice."

Forty students in the Unified Studies program at Orem High became the teachers as they shared what they have learned from their school experiences with the second-grade children.

"We learn hands-on," said Gina Powell, a senior in the program. "We learn things like plant collection by handling them, not just by opening a book."

Austin Denter, a junior in the program said, "It's just wonderful. You learn so much more. It's a different way of thinking."

Heath Marcroft, a senior said, "It makes you appreciate the world around you so much more."

While the elementary students got a brief taste of the learning experience, the Unified Studies students have a full year and approximately 30 field trips in which they learn several different subjects through personal experiences.

While the program has been at Orem High for nearly 30 years, many students and parents remain unaware of its existence, said Anna Davis, the program's director.

"These students even started a recycling program at the high school. You wouldn't believe how much paper a school could go through," she said.

Elementary Education Day, Davis said, is beneficial for her students in that they are thrust into a reversal of roles.

"It helps them appreciate their own teachers," she said.

While attending high school herself, Davis said she sought a job that would change the world. She believes she's been able to attain that goal through Unified Studies, with four to five students at a time.

The Unified Studies programs allows students to study English, government, photography, art, science, recreation, physical education and other core classes in a four-hour block class every other day.

The remainder of the time is available for other classes students need to graduate. This year, for the first time, the program is open to juniors and sophomores.

Besides Elementary Education Day, the high school students visit museums, learn to cross country ski, study government and social studies, and spend a lot of time out of the classroom with several hands-on learning experiences. But Elementary Education Day is one of the biggest events of the school year.

"I think this year the high school kids are so prepared, the [elementary] kids are just so engaged," said Lori Turner, a participating teacher at Scera Park Elementary.

Second-grade teacher Andrea Green said, "It's nice for children to learn about nature, in nature. It's more exciting and fun."

Davis says Unified Studies is a good fit for many kinds of students but is extremely helpful for students who learn best through tactile methods. It is especially helpful for children with attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

"So many classes focus on information," Davis said. "This class focuses on learning and learning hands-on."

With the number of children running through the grass and leaves at South Fork Park, it's hard to believe that anyone would have a bad time. After all, there aren't any school bells, chalkboards or school desks to get in the way.

Second-grader Leah O'Barr, said it best, "I get to see the view and learn things like how to make a fire and camping. I learn that nature is a friend."