Environmental Education Center 6th – 8th Grade Student Programs
Sixth Grade
Programs
LimnologyEcology of a
Freshwater
Pond
TEKS
Science
STAAR
6.1 (A),
6.4 (A,B),
6.12 (E,F)
6.12D-SS
All Things are 6.1 (A),
6.2 (C),
ConnectedInterdependence 6.4 (A),
6.12 (E,F)
in the Woods
6.12D-SS
Grassland
Ecology
(Best done in
August, Sept or
May)
6.12D-SS
6.1(A),
6.2(C),
6.4 (A),
6.12 (E,F)
Program Description
Junior limnologists will seine the pond to collect and identify a variety of organisms
and determine their place in the overall ecology of the pond. Students will have the
opportunity to examine the microscopic life of the pond using microscopes. Students
will use appropriate material and equipment to prepare samples for microscopic
viewing. Topics covered will include succession, interdependence, levels of
organization, natural cycles, and biotic and abiotic factors.
The Post Oak Preserve is an example of a hardwood forest mixed with pockets of
prairie grassland and savanna woodlands. This program focuses on the unique
woodland ecology and the plant and animal communities which exist in this diverse
habitat. Students will be involved in hands-on exploration and gathering of
information about the trees, soil, water, leaf litter, and animal & plant life. Topics
covered include succession, interdependence, levels of organization, natural cycles,
and biotic and abiotic factors.
The students will make a study of the complex web found in a grassland ecosystem
and examine the effects of succession on the habitat. Students will collect specimens
of various grasses for identification & observation. The concepts of ecological
succession, natural cycles, nitrogen fixation, interdependence, taxonomy, abiotic and
biotic factors, and levels of organization within an ecosystem will be discussed.
Students will focus on cycles in nature (nitrogen cycle, water cycle, carbon/oxygen
cycles).
6.1 (A),
Here Comes the 6.4 (A),
6.7 (A),
Sun
6.9 (A)
6.11B-SS
Learn how the sun’s energy powers life on earth and explore methods for using this
clean and limitless source of energy in our own lives. Students will also have an
opportunity to observe solar panels at work generating electricity and the working
windmill. Students will explore the principles of solar energy.
Meet the
Critters Reptiles &
Amphibians
6.1 (A),
6.4 (A),
6.12 (E,F)
6.12D-SS
Junior herpetologists will be introduced to the characteristics and adaptations of the
major groups of reptiles and amphibians, their history, behavior and importance in the
ecosystem through the use of live and preserved specimens from the EEC collections.
Rocks and
Minerals
6.1(A),
6.3(B,C),
6.4 (A),
6.6 (A,C),
6.10 (B)
Seventh Grade
Programs
TEKS
Science
Animal
Adaptations Birds
7.1 (A),
7.2 (A,C),
7.4 (A),
7.10 (A,B),
7.11(B),
7.12 (A),
7.13(A)
LimnologyEcology of a
Freshwater
Pond
7.1 (A),
7.4 (A),
7.5 (A),
7.12 (A)
The junior geologists will classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic by
the processes of the rocks formation. The students will test the physical properties of
minerals, including hardness, color, luster, streak, and cleavage. The students will
examine a model of the Earth’s layers.
STAAR
Program Description
7.10B-SS
Junior ornithologists will explore the characteristics, behaviors and adaptations of birds.
During the field experience, students will take a trail walk with binoculars to observe bird
populations associated with the natural habitats of the EEC. The students will use field
guides for bird identification.
7.10B-SS
7.10C-SS
Junior limnologists will explore the basic principles of ecology through study of a typical
pond. The students will examine the role of local plants and animals, as well as migrating
and wintering birds. Field experiences will involve seining the pond to collect specimens
and identification of a variety of organisms. Students will have the opportunity to
examine the biotic and abiotic factors of the pond.
Environmental Education Center 6th – 8th Grade Student Programs
7.1 (A),
7.2 (A),
Forest Ecology
7.5 (A,B,C),
– Post Oak
7.7 (C),
Preserve Trail
7.10(A,B,C),
Walk
7.12 (A),
7.13(A)
7.1(A),
Grassland
Ecology (Best 7.2 (A,C),
done in August, 7.4 (A),
September or 7.5 (A,B),
7.10(A,B,C),
May
7.11 (A, B),
7.12 (A),
7.13(A)
7.1 (A),
Meet the
7.11 (B),
Critters –
7.12 (A),
Reptiles &
7.13 (A)
Amphibians
7.1 (A),
Texas Land and
7.4 (A),
Water7.8 (B,C),
Blackland
7.10(A,B,C),
Prairie
7.11(B)
7.1(A),
7.4 (A),
Compost
7.5 (A,B,C)
Happens
7.10 (A,B)
Eighth
Grade Programs
Animal
Adaptations –
Birds
(Predator/Prey
Relationships)
Ecosystem of a
Fresh Water
Pond
7.10B-SS
7.11A-SS
7.10B-SS
7.10C-SS
7.11A-SS
7.11A-SS
7.10B-SS
7.10C-SS
7.10B-SS
7.10C-SS
TEKS
Science
8.1(A),
8.2 (A,E),
8.4 (A),
8.11
(A,B,C)
8.1(A),
8.2(A, C),
8.4(A),
8.11 (A,
B,C)
The junior silviculturists will use hand lenses to make observations of, trees, soil, water,
leaf litter, animal and plant life and their relationships in the ecosystem. The concepts of
ecological succession, adaptations, tropisms, photosynthesis, cycles in nature and
introduced species will be covered.
The students will make a study of the complex web of life in the grassland ecosystem
with a trail walk to explore the effects of succession on the habitat. During the field
experience, students will collect specimens of various grasses for identification. The
concepts of ecological succession, taxonomy, energy flow, photosynthesis, biodiversity,
cycles in nature, tropisms and adaptations will be covered. If the class is taken in summer
or late spring, insect nets, killing jars and dichotomous keys will be utilized.
The junior herpetologists will explore the basic characteristics of the major groups of
reptiles and amphibians and their morphological and behavioral adaptations. Live &
preserved specimens from the EEC collection will be used to help identify various reptiles
and amphibians that make the EEC their home.
Texas has 10 eco-regions that are affected by weathering, erosion, and deposition.
Groundwater and surface water are also affected by human activity. The students will
explore the effect of natural and human events on our eco-region, the Blackland Prairie.
Soils, aquifers, vegetation and rivers will be examined.
The students will demonstrate and explain the decay of biomass in a compost bin, will
examine the role of decomposers, how energy flows through an ecosystem, and cycles in
nature. The students will practice making compost and examine compost with a
microscope.
STAAR/EOC
8.11A-RS
8.11B-RS
8.11C-RS
8.11A-RS
8.11B-RS
8.11C-RS
Program Description
The emphasis of this program is on the predator/prey relationships of
birds and the role they play in the food web. Young ornithologists
will observe bird behavior and note their adaptations, migratory
patterns, and roles in the ecosystem. Students will use binoculars
and field guides for identification and observation of bird
populations found in this ecosystem.
This program introduces the basic principles of ecology through
the study of our typical Texas farm pond. The pond plays a
critical role in the life of local plants and animals, as well as
playing host to a variety of migrating and wintering birds. The
field experiences will involve activities such as seining the pond to
collect and identify a variety of organisms and determine their
niche in the overall ecology of the pond. Students will use the
appropriate material and equipment to collect samples from the
pond and examine the microscopic life of the pond using video
microscopic technology.
Environmental Education Center 6th – 8th Grade Student Programs
Ecosystem of the
Forest
8.1(A),
8.2 (A, C),
8.4 (A),
8.11 (A,
B,C)
8.11A-RS
8.11B-RS
8.11C-RS
Young naturalists will focus on the unique aspects of a woodland
ecosystem with emphasis on the macro/micro-communities.
Students will use hand lenses and/or pocket microscopes to
observe life in the forest. Many types of plant and animal
relationships will be discussed and observed. Students will
explore aspects of human activity and how it affects short-term
and long-term changes to the forest.
Reptiles and
Amphibians – A
Unique Group
8.1(A),
8.2 (A,C),
8.4(A),
8.11 (A,
B,C)
8.11A-RS
8.11B-RS
8.11C-RS
Our young herpetologists will learn about the basic characteristics of
reptiles and amphibians through discussing and interacting with the
reptiles and amphibians at the Center. Students will compare and
contrast their morphological characteristics and behavioral
adaptations. Living specimens will be observed, measured, and
weighed using appropriate equipment.
Understanding
Climate, Weather
& Seasons
8.1(A),
8.2(A,C),
8.3 (B, C),
8.4 (A),
8.7(A)
8.10
(A,B,C)
8.10A-SS
8.10B-SS
8.10C-SS
The beginning meteorologists will see how global patterns are
created by atmospheric movements that influence local weather. The
role of high/low pressure systems, front, hurricanes, and tornadoes
will be discussed. Students will take a walking tour to view weather
apparatus around the EEC, take readings and observe current
weather conditions. Lab activities will demonstrate convection
currents in air and water that are driven by the sun, vortices, and
density gradients in the oceans.
Your Planet-Your
Decisions
8.1 (B)
8.3 (A)
8.11 (C,D)
8.11C-RS
8.11D-SS
Students will study the basic environmental problems and learn how
simple actions can be a part of the solution. Possible topics to be
presented might include global climate change, endangered species,
renewable energy, pollution, biodiversity and sustainability.