Environmental Ecology Programs

Interactive Student Programs
45 minutes • $1.50 per student • Reservations required: (210) 357-1910
Program start times: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30

Grades K - 2
Animals in Action
Wednesday - Friday • Maximum 30 students

Investigate why animals look and act the way they do.  Students examine live animals to discover how animals move, protect themselves and use special adaptations to stay alive.

TEKS: K.2 A, B, D, E; K.5 A; K.6 C; K.9 A, B; 1.2 A, B, D, E; 1.6 A, B; 1.9 A, B;

2.2 A, B, E, F; 2.6 D; 2.9 A, B

Click here to download the pre and post-visit PDF.

Dinosaur Digs
Thursday – Friday • Maximum 30 students

Students play the role of a paleontologist to dig in to the distant past and uncover the remains of dinosaurs.  Students investigate fossils and tracks to discover the many things they tell us about dinosaurs.

TEKS: K.2 A, B, E; K.5 A; K.6 C; K.9 A, B; 1.2 A- D, E; 1.6 A; 1. 10 A; 2.2 A, B; 2.3 C; 2.9 A, B

Click here to download the pre- and post-visit PDF.

What’s a Bug? (Spring Only)
Monday and Tuesday • Maximum 30 students

What are arthropods?  What kinds live in the South Texas environment and our own backyards?  Students examine live bugs, categorize body parts to identify different types of arthropods and apply the information to create their own arthropod.

TEKS: K.2 A, E; K.3A, C; K.4 B, K.9A, B; 1.2 A, D; 1.4 A, B; 1.9 A, C; 1.10 A, C; 2.2 A, D; 2.4 A, C; 2.9 A, B, C

Click here to download the pre and post-visit PDF.

Grades 3 - 5
Habitat Happenings
Wednesday - Friday • Maximum 30 students

Find out what animals do and identify what makes a good habitat.  Students examine live animals and investigate how body parts and behaviors help animals survive.  Students also design animals adapted to live in specific habitat of Texas.

TEKS: 3.2 B, C, D, E; 3.8 A, B, C, D; 3.9 A, B; 4.2 B, C; 4.5 A, B; 4.8 A, B; 4.9 A, B; 5.2 C, D; 5.9 A, B, C; 5.10 A, B

 Click here to download the pre- and post-visit PDF.

Dinosaur Defenses
Thursday - Friday • Maximum 30 students

Through inquiry and discussion of past environments, student discover the adaptations and defenses dinosaurs used to survive and what made them different from other animals.  They also suggest adaptations that lead to “Designosaur,” an activity in which students create a unique dinosaur.

TEKS: 3.3 D; 3.7 A; 3.9 C; 3.10 A; 4.3 C, D; 4.10 A; 5.7 D; 5.10 A, B

 Click here to download the pre- and post-visit PDF.

 Grades 6 - 8
Eco-Challenge
Wednesday - Friday • Maximum 30 students

How do animals compete and survive in nature?  Students explore predator/prey relationships, competition and animal co-existence.  Students also link-up food chains, weave food webs and examine ecosystems.  Examining and observing live animals supports the investigation process.

TEKS: 6.2 B, C, D; 6.8 C; 6.12 C; 7.2 B, C, D; 7.12 A, B, C; 8.2 B, C, D; 8.6 C

Click here to download the pre- and post-visit PDF.

 Dinosaur Detectives
Thursday – Friday • Maximum 30 students

How do you decipher the clues of prehistoric life? Students explore the science of paleontology and fossilization by conducting laboratory examinations.  Students will use classification skills and investigate tracks to uncover a hidden dinosaur story.

TEKS: 6.2 B, C; 6.12 C; 7.2 A, B, C; 8.2 A, C; 8.4 A

Earth and Space Science TEKS: 2 F; 8 A-C

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Grades 9 - 12
Nature’s Networks
Wednesday - Friday • Maximum 30 students

Students investigate animal relationships and their effects on habitats.  Students explore taxonomic, trophic and symbiotic relationships.

Biology TEKS: 7 C, D, 8 A, B, C, 10 C, 11 B, C, D, 12 A, B, C, D, F

Click here to download the pre- and post-visit PDF.