Youth Education Activities
Listed below are activities offered through Headwaters at the Sanctuary or in the classroom.
Click the image to go to a full list of activities and descriptions.
For a list of applicable 2018 TEKS click the button under each activity.
Weather & Climate Activities
Adaptations & Survival Activities
Life Cycle Activities
Food Web, Ecosystem & Ecology Activities
Geology & Fossils Activities
water activities
In Water Usage and Conservation, students of all ages learn all the ways water is used in society while they build a fictional town as a class. Students work in groups and create drawings of how their group uses water to present what they've learned to the class.
K.7C Give examples of ways rocks, soil, and water are useful.
1.7C Rocks, soil, and water used to make products.
2.1B Conservation of water and recycling
3.7C Natural resource use in products
4.7C Renewable and nonrenewable resources
5.1B Conservation, disposal, and recycling of materials
5.9C Effects of changes in ecosystems caused by living organisms
6.1B Conservation, reuse and recycling
6.7A Advantages and disadvantages of energy generators
7.1B Conservation of resources
7.8C Effects of human activity on ground and surface water
B.1B Conservation and Recycling
Students get to see the water cycle in action and watch real water vapor form "clouds" and precipitation. The model also includes a simulation of the Edwards Aquifer, the Blue Hole forming the San Antonio River and a river map of the South Texas area.
K.7B Physical properties of natural sources of water
1.7B Natural sources of water, including streams, lakes, and oceans.
3.5C Changes in the state of matter
4.3B Models of the water cycle and stream tables
4.8B Water cycle
5.8B Water cycle
Students have a great time learning about the water cycle and building their own keepsake water cycle bracelet.
K.7B Physical properites of water
1.7B Natural sources of water
3.5C Changes is the state of matter
4.8B Water Cycle
5.8B Water Cycle
weather & Climate activities
In Clouds Above students get outside to learn about weather, cloud formation, and cloud identification. Students also apply math skills using our mirror grids to calculate cloud coverage.
K.2C Collect data and make observations
K.2D Record and organize data
K.8A Weather changes
K.8C Objects in the sky
K.4A Collect information
K.8C Objects in the sky
1.2C Collect data and make observations
1.2D Record and organize data
1.2E Communicate observations
1.4A Collect, record, and compare information
1.8A Record weather information
1.8B Changes in the appearance of objects in the sky
1.8D Air and wind
2.2C Collect data
2.2D Record and organize data
2.2E Communicate observations using student-generated data
2.8A Measure, record, and graph weather information
3.2B Collect and record data
3.2C Organize, examine, and evaluate measured data
3.2D Analyze and interpret patterns in data
3.2F Communicate valid conclusions supported by data
3.8A Weather changes
4.2B Collect and record data
4.2C Organize, examine, and evaluate data
4.2D Analyze data and interpret patterns
4.2F Communicate valid results
4.8B Water cycle
5.2C Collect and record information
5.2F Communicate valid conclusions
5.8A Weather and climate
5.8B Water cycle
6.2C Collect and record data
6.2D Construct tables and graphs
6.2E Analyze data to formulate reasonable explanations
7.2C Collect and record data
8.2C Collect and record data
8.10 Climate interactions
8.10B Atmospheric movement and weather
Cultivate aspiring meteorologists with this hands-on activity as students build and use their own tools to conduct weather investigations while learning to collect and record data. Topics covered include soil moisture, ph, air temperature windspeed and direction.
K.2C Collect data and make observations
K.2D Record and organize data
K.8A Weather changes
K.4A Collect information
K.8C Objects in the sky
1.2C Collect data and make observations
1.2D Record and organize data
1.2E Communicate observations
1.4A Collect, record, and compare information
1.7A Soil
1.8A Record weather information
1.8B Changes in the appearance of objects in the sky
1.8D Air and wind
2.2C Collect data
2.2D Record and organize data
2.2E Communicate observations using student-generated data
2.8A Measure, record, and graph weather information
3.2B Collect and record data
3.2C Organize, examine, and evaluate measured data
3.2D Analyze and interpret patterns in data
3.2F Communicate valid conclusions supported by data
3.8A Weather changes
4.2B Collect and record data
4.2C Organize, examine, and evaluate data
4.2D Analyze data and interpret patterns
4.2F Communicate valid results
4.7A Properties of soil
4.8B Water cycle
5.2C Collect and record information
5.2F Communicate valid conclusions
5.8A Weather and climate
5.8B Water cycle
6.2C Collect and record data
6.2D Construct tables and graphs
6.2E Analyze data to formulate reasonable explanations
7.2C Collect and record data
8.2C Collect and record data
8.10 Climate interactions
8.10B Atmospheric movement and weather
Students learn about orbits by building models to simulate the orbit of the moon earth and sun.
K.8B Patterns in seasons, day and night
K.8C Objects in the sky
1.8B Changes in the appearance of objects in the sky
1.8C Characteristics of the seasons, day and night.
2.8B Weather and seasonal information to make choices in clothing, activities, and transportation.
2.8C Objects in the sky
3.3B Models of the natural world
4.3B Natural world models
4.8C Shadows, seasons, and the moon
5.3B Draw or develop a model
5.8C Earth rotation
5.8D Physical characteristics of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
6.3B Models to represent the natural world
6.3C Advantages and limitations of models
7.3B Models of the natural world
7.3C Advantages and limitations of models
7.9A Objects in our solar system that allow life to exist
8.7A Earth orbit and rotation
TEKS:
Learn all about the different levels of the atmosphere with this fun coloring activity where students color and place items in their appreciate atmospheric level.
3.3B Models of the natural world
4.3B Natural world models
6.3B Models to represent the natural world
6.3C Advantages and limitations of models
7.3B Models of the natural world
7.3C Advantages and limitations of models
8.10B Atmospheric movement and weather
8.3C Advantages and limitations of models
adaptation & survival activities
Students learn all about how beak shapes are adapted for various kinds of food sources.
K.4B Properties and patterns of organisms, objects, and events in the environment
K.9 Basic needs of animals
1.10A Adaptations and structure
1.10C Inherited traits
2.9B Factors in the environment that affect growth and behavior in plants and animals
2.10 Inherited traits and adaptation
2.10A Adaptation physical characteristics and behaviors of animals
3.10A Adaptation of structures in plants and animals
4.10A Adaptation, structure and survival
4.10B Inherited traits
5.10A Structure adaptation
5.10B Inherited vs learned behaviors
7.10A Habitat support of life
7.11B Variation within a population
7.11C Natural selection and selective breeding
7.12A Adaptations in structure
8.11B Selection and evolution
B.7C Natural selection in population
B.7D Natural selection, including inherited variation
B.7E Natural selection and Adaptation
B.12B Variations and adaptations
Conducted outdoors, Migration Madness takes students on a bird migration journey with their flock classmates through a series of trials and triumphs before reaching the safety of their new home. Get your students moving while learning and join our flock!
K.9B Living organisms have basic needs
1.8C Characteristics of the seasons, day and night
2.9A Basic needs of plants and animals
2.9B Environment factors that affect behavior
2.10A Adaptative behaviors of animals
3.9C Environmental changes
5.10B Inherited vs learned behaviors
6.12E Biotic and abiotic
Students have a blast learning about bat echolocation in this fun interactive game that is like Marco Polo. The class comprised, of "trees" and "moths," forms a circle around the "bat" who uses only sound to find "moths".
K.4B Properties and patterns of organisms, objects, and events in the environment
K.9 Basic needs of animals
1.10A Adaptations and structure
1.10C Inherited traits
2.10 Inherited traits and adaptation
2.10A Adaptation physical characteristics and behaviors of animals
3.10A Adaptation of structures in plants and animals
4.10A Adaptation, structure and survival
4.10B Inherited traits
5.10A Structure adaptation
7.12A Adaptations in structure
B.7C Natural selection in population
B.7D Natural selection, including inherited variation
B.7E Natural selection and Adaptation
B.12B Variations and adaptations
This engaging activity allows students to get up close and personal with insects and learn all about their bug, its anatomy, its adaptations, and the important role of insects in the environment. When warm enough, live insects can be used on request. When live insects are out of season, preserved insects are used.
K.2C Make observations
K.4B Properties and patterns of organisms
K.9B Organisms basic needs
K.10B Parts of animals
1.2A Ask questions about organisms
1.2C Make observations
1.10A Adaptations and structure
2.2A Ask questions about organisms
2.4B Measure and compare organisms
2.9A Basic needs of animals
2.10A Adaptation in animals
3.4A Collect, record, information
3.10A Adaptation of structures in animals
4.2B Collect and record data
4.4A Collect, record, and analyze information about habitats
5.4A Collect, record, and analyze information on habitats
5.10A Structure adaptation
5.9A Ecosystem interaction
6.2C Collect and record data
6.12F Ecosystems
7.2C Collect and record data
7.12A Adaptations in structure
B.8C Taxonomy
B.7C Natural selection in population
B.7D Natural selection, including inherited variation
B.7E Natural selection and Adaptation
B.12B Variations and adaptations
Using marshmallows, pretzels, candy, and other yummy treats, students will learn about and build their very own insect model.
K.9B Organisms basic needs
K.10B Parts of animals
1.2A Ask questions about organisms
1.10A Adaptations and structure
2.10A Adaptation in animals
2.10C insect life stages
3.10A Adaptation of structures in animals
5.10A Structure adaptation
5.9A Ecosystem interaction
6.12F Ecosystems
7.12A Adaptations in structure
B.8C Taxonomy
Students learn how to use dichotomous keys to classify animals, and learn fun facts about the species they are working with along the way.
K.10A Dichotomous key
7.11A Dichotomous key
B.8B Dichotomous Key/Cladograms
Life cycle activities
Students work in groups to learn about the stages of the frog life cycle. Students read a description of their stage, collaborate to create an artistic representation of that life stage, and present their stage to the class.
1.10A Adaptations and structure
1.10D Life cycles (animals)
3.10B Life cycles
4.10A Adaptation, structure and survival
4.10C Life cycles (plant or animal)
5.10A Structure adaptation
6.12A Unicellular or multicellular
7.10A Habitat support of life
7.12A Adaptations in structure
7.12C Cells, tissues, organs, organ systems
B.8C Taxonomy
B.4 Cells
B.5A: Cell cycle
B.10A Body systems in animals
B.10C Levels of organization in biological systems
food web, ecosystem, ecology
Give your students a first-hand look at food chain and the important role owls play in the ecosystem. Students will sort through the contents of an owl pellet and identify the preferred food of their owl.
K.9B Organisms basic needs
K.10B Parts of animals
1.9C Food chains
1.10A Adaptations and structure
2.9C Food chains
2.10A Adaptation in animals
3.9A Environments and ecosystems support
3.9B Food chain
3.10A Adaptation of structures in animals
5.9A Ecosystem interaction
5.10A Structure adaptation
6.12F Ecosystems
7.5B Food chains
7.12A Adaptations in structure
8.11A Ecosystems, competition, abiotic and biotic factors
8.11B Selection and evolution
B.7C Natural selection in population
B.7D Natural selection, including inherited variation
B.7E Natural selection and Adaptation
B.12B Variations and adaptations
B.12A Predation, parasitism, commensalism, mutualism, and competition
B.12C Food chains, food webs, and ecological pyramids
Students compete in teams to build the best food web, while also tracking population numbers over time. Students learn about energy transfer, trophic levels, graphs, and presenting data in this fast-paced game.
1.9B Interdependence
1.9C Food chains
2.9A Basic needs of plants and animals
2.9C Food chains
3.9B Food chain
4.9A Producers and consumers
4.9B Food webs
5.9B Food web
6.12F Ecosystems
7.5B Food chains
B.12C Food chains, food webs, and ecological pyramids
Students learn about energy transfer by constructing a real food web by tossing yarn to members they can give energy too. Pulling on any point of the web reinforces organism connectivity and interdependence within that ecosystem.
1.9B Interdependence
1.9C Food chains
2.9A Basic needs of plants and animals
2.9C Food chains
3.9B Food chain
4.9A Producers and consumers
4.9B Food webs
5.9B Food web
6.12F Ecosystems
7.5B Food chains
B.12C Food chains, food webs, and ecological pyramids
Conducted outside, this activity engages students in physical activity while they learn about carrying capacity, resources, populations, ecosystems and predator prey dynamics. The class is split into two groups: Deer and resources. With each round deer must find resources to survive and return to the environment as resources if they do not.
K.1 Conducts investigations
K.2C Collect data and make observations
K.2D Record and organize data
K.2E Communicate observations
K.9B Knows the basic needs of animals
1.2C Collect data and make observations
1.2D Record and organize data
1.2E Communicate observations using student-generated data
1.4A Collect, record, and compare information
1.9B Analyze and record examples of interdependence
1.9C Energy transfer through food chains or animals using plants for shelter
2.1 Conducts investigations
2.2C Collect data from observations
2.2D Record and organize data
2.2E Communicate observations and justify explanations using student-generated data
3.2B Collect and record data
3.2C Organize, examine, and evaluate measured data
3.2D Analyze and interpret patterns in data
3.2F Communicate valid conclusions supported by data
4.2B Collect and record data
4.2C Organize, examine, and evaluate data
4.2D Analyze data and interpret patterns
4.2F Communicate valid oral and written results supported by data
4.9A Producers and consumers
4.9B Describe the flow of energy through food webs
5.2A Describe, plan, and implement simple experimental investigations
5.2C Collect and record information
5.2D Analyze and interpret information from evidence
5.2F Communicate valid conclusions in both written and verbal forms
5.2G Organize, examine, and evaluate information
5.9A Ecosystem living and nonliving components interaction
5.9B Describe the flow of energy within a food web
5.9C Effects of changes in ecosystems caused by living organisms, including humans
6.2C Collect and record data
6.2D Construct tables and graphs
6.2E Analyze data to formulate reasonable explanations
6.12F Organism, population, community, and ecosystem.
7.2A Plan and implement comparative and descriptive investigations
7.2B Design and implement experimental investigations
7.2C Collect and record data
7.2D Organize data and identify patterns
7.2E Analyze data communicate valid conclusions
7.5B Food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids
7.10B Biodiversity
8.2C Collect and record data
8.2D Organize data and identify patterns
8.11A Ecosystems, competition, abiotic and biotic factors
B.2F Collect and organize data
B.2G Analyze and evaluate data
B.2H Communicate valid conclusions
B.12A Predation, parasitism, commensalism, mutualism, and competition
B.12C Food chains, food webs, and ecological pyramids
Introduce your students to the damaging effects of invasive species on stable ecosystems with this printable Invasive Species Monopoly game. Students compete for territories across the board which are quickly overtaken by the invaders.
1.3A Explain a problem and propose a solution
1.9B Interdependence
2.9A Basic needs of plants and animals
3.9A Environments and ecosystems support
3.9C Environmental changes
5.9C Changes in ecosystems caused by living organisms
6.12F Ecosystems
7.8A Catastrophic events impact on ecosystems
7.10A Habitat support of life
7.10B Biodiversity
8.11A Ecosystems, competition, abiotic and biotic factors
B.12E: Environmental changes and ecosystem stability
In this hands-on interactive game, students can see first-hand how native species are negatively impacted by the introduction of invasive species.
1.3A Explain a problem and propose a solution
1.9B Interdependence
2.9A Basic needs of plants and animals
3.9A Environments and ecosystems support
3.9C Environmental changes
5.9C Changes in ecosystems caused by living organisms
6.12F Ecosystems
7.8A Catastrophic events impact on ecosystems
7.10A Habitat support of life
7.10B Biodiversity
8.11A Ecosystems, competition, abiotic and biotic factors
B.12E: Environmental changes and ecosystem stability
In this card game version of the invasive species game, students representing native species compete for cards against invasive species and are quickly outmatched.
1.3A Explain a problem and propose a solution
1.9B Interdependence
2.9A Basic needs of plants and animals
3.9A Environments and ecosystems support
3.9C Environmental changes
5.9C Changes in ecosystems caused by living organisms
6.12F Ecosystems
7.8A Catastrophic events impact on ecosystems
7.10A Habitat support of life
7.10B Biodiversity
8.11A Ecosystems, competition, abiotic and biotic factors
B.12E: Environmental changes and ecosystem stability
geology & fossil activities
Students excavate their own fossils in this hands-on activity. They learn about Earth's formation, the rock cycle, fossil and rock strata, and how we can look into the past to gain insight into evolution and extinct species.
K.7A Rocks
K.7C Rocks, soil, and water are usage
1.7A Soil
1.7C Rocks, soil, and water in products
2.7A Rocks
3.5D Mixtures
3.7A Soil formation
4.5B Mixtures and solutions
4.7 Resources of earth
4.7A Properties of soil
5.7 Earth's surface and resources
5.7A Sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels
5.7B Landform formation
5.9D Fossils
6.6C Physical properties of minerals
6.10 Earth structure, the rock cycle, and plate tectonics
6.10A Compositional and mechanical layers of Earth
6.10B Classify rocks by formation
6.10C Tectonic plates
6.10D Plate tectonics and geological events (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions)
8.9A Plate tectonic theory and history
8.9B Plate tectonics and crust formation
B.7A Common ancestry in the fossil record
B.7B Fossil record
Students learn about the rock cycle, soil composition, and soil layers while constructing a tasty snack!
K.7A Rocks
K.7C Rocks, soil, and water are usage
1.7A Soil
1.7C Rocks, soil, and water in products
2.7A Rocks
3.5D Mixtures
3.7A Soil formation
4.5B Mixtures and solutions
4.7 Resources of earth
4.7A Properties of soil
5.7 Earth's surface and resources
5.7A Sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels
5.7B Landform formation
6.6C Physical properties of minerals
6.10 Earth structure, the rock cycle, and plate tectonics
6.10A Compositional and mechanical layers of Earth
6.10B Classify rocks by formation
6.10C Tectonic plates
6.10D Plate tectonics and geological events (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions)
8.9A Plate tectonic theory and history
8.9B Plate tectonics and crust formation
In this fun activity, students learn about the rock cycle and composition, permeability and porosity, and their role in the aquifer before creating their own rock work of art.
K.7A Rocks
K.7C Rocks, soil, and water are usage
1.7A Soil
1.7C Rocks, soil, and water in products
2.7A Rocks
3.5D Mixtures
3.7A Soil formation
4.5B Mixtures and solutions
4.7 Resources of earth
4.7A Properties of soil
5.7 Earth's surface and resources
5.7A Sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels
5.7B Landform formation
6.6C Physical properties of minerals
6.10 Earth structure, the rock cycle, and plate tectonics
6.10A Compositional and mechanical layers of Earth
6.10B Classify rocks by formation
6.10C Tectonic plates
6.10D Plate tectonics and geological events (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions)
8.9A Plate tectonic theory and history
8.9B Plate tectonics and crust formation
In this inquiry-based activity, students use the scientific method to learn about sedimentation by designing and conducting their own sedimentation experiments before reporting their results to the class.
K.2B Plan and conduct descriptive investigations
K.2C Collect data and make observations
K.2D Record and organize data
K.2E Communicate observations
K.7A Rocks
K.7C Rocks, soil, and water are usage
1.2B Plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations
1.2C Collect data and make observations
1.2D Record and organize data
1.2E Communicate observations
1.7A Soil
1.7C Rocks, soil, and water in products
2.2C Collect data
2.2D Record and organize data
2.2E Communicate observations using student-generated data
2.7A Rocks
3.2A Plan and implement descriptive investigations
3.2B Collect and record data
3.2C Organize, examine, and evaluate measured data
3.2D Analyze and interpret patterns in data
3.2F Communicate valid conclusions supported by data
3.5D Mixtures
3.7A Soil formation
4.2A Plan and implement descriptive investigations
4.2B Collect and record data
4.2C Organize, examine, and evaluate data
4.2D Analyze data and interpret patterns
4.2F Communicate valid oral and written results supported by data
4.5B Mixtures and solutions
4.7 Resources of earth
4.7A Properties of soil
5.2A Describe, plan, and implement investigations
5.2C Collect and record information
5.2D Analyze and interpret information from evidence
5.2F Communicate valid conclusions
5.7A Sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels
6.2A Plan and implement comparative and descriptive investigations
6.2B Design and implement experimental investigations
6.2C Collect and record data
6.6C Physical properties of minerals
7.2A Plan and implement comparative and descriptive investigations
7.2B Design and implement experimental investigations
7.2C Collect and record data
8.2A Plan and implement investigations
8.2B Design and implement experiments
8.2C Collect and record data
other activities
Students read a poem about water together and create their own work of art about what water means to them. This art can be a poem, a drawing, or anything the students wants as long as water is included. Students are encouraged to share their art with the class.
K.7B Natural sources of water properties
K.7C Rocks, soil, and water are usage
2.7C Natural and manmade resources
4.7 Resources of earth
Students can choose and color masks representing several different animals. Students are engaged in discussion afterwards to learn about their animal’s adaptations, survival techniques, and importance in the ecosystem.
K.4B Properties and patterns of organisms, objects, and events in the environment
K.9 Basic needs of animals
K.10B Parts of plants and animals
1.10A Adaptations and structure
1.10C Inherited traits
1.10D Life cycles (animals)
2.10 Inherited traits and adaptation
2.10A Adaptation physical characteristics and behaviors of animals
2.10C Life cycle of insects
3.10A Adaptation of structures in plants and animals
3.10B Life cycles
4.10A Adaptation, structure and survival
4.10B Inherited traits
4.10C Life cycles (plant or animals)
5.10A Structure adaptation
7.12A Adaptations in structure
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