Staff and volunteers will lead your students through the day’s program. Unless your group is less than 25 students, we will divide the group and rotate through multiple activity stations.

Groups larger than 100 students will need to schedule a self-guided trip, due to staff/volunteer limitations.

Science TEKS connections are based on the 2021 revised standards.

Email us if you'd like more information information about any of these programs. 

Animal Adaptations

Government Canyon State Natural Area is home to diverse native wildlife species. Students can touch and observe animal furs, skulls and other related materials during this show and tell style program. A journaling and observation activity can be added for older students to compare/contrast survival adaptations.

• Recommended Grade Levels: K-2, 3-5
• Subject Area: Science
• Related TEKS: K.13(B), 1.13(A), 3.13(A), 5.13(A)

Aquifer Simulation

Students will play an interactive game which models the growing pressure on the Edwards Aquifer, then brainstorm conservation practices that can keep water available in the aquifer for future generations. A short hike and geology scavenger hunt can be added to this activity.

• Recommended Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8
• Subject Area: Science
• Related TEKS: 3.11(B-C), 4.10(A), 4.11(A & C), 5.12(C), 7.8(C)

Birding Basics

Because Government Canyon State Natural Area is located at an ecosystem intersection, a wide variety of bird species live here for at least part of the year. Students will learn basic bird identification skills and discover the ways that researchers can use bird diversity to better understand ecosystem health.

• Recommended Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8
• Subject Area: Science
• Related TEKS: 3.12(C), 5.11(A), 7.10(B)

Guided Hike

Trail guides lead a hike that focuses on the topic(s) of your choice, using the natural ecosystems, geology and historical resources of Government Canyon State Natural Area as opportunities for observation and learning. Some possible topics include plant and animal adaptations, life cycles, ecological succession and human alteration of the environment, erosion and sedimentation, aquifers, fossils, natural resource conservation, and biological diversity.

• Recommended Grade Levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8
• Subject Areas: Science, Social Studies

Habitat Hike

While our homes might look different, humans and other animals all share the same basic needs for food, water, shelter and space. On this short hike, each student takes on the role of a native animal found at Government Canyon State Natural Area and uses a “shopping list” to search the forest for all the items they need to survive.

• Recommended Grade Levels: K-2
• Subject Area: Science
• Related TEKS: K.12(A-B), 1.12(C), 2.12(A-B)

Hitchhikers, Wind Riders and Buried Treasure

As in all ecosystems, the plants in Government Canyon State Natural Area use a variety of adaptations to spread their seeds. Students will observe and document the characteristics of seeds that allow them to catch the wind, ride on a raccoon, and more.

• Recommended Grade Levels: K-2, 3-5
• Subject Area: Science
• Related TEKS: K.13(A), 3.13(B), 4.13(A)

Oh Deer

Students play an interactive game which illustrates factors that influence carrying capacity, defines “limiting factors,” and graphs natural fluctuations in white-tailed deer populations over time.

• Recommended Grade Levels: 5-8
• Subject Area: Science
• Related TEKS: 5.11(A-B), 6.12(F), 8.11(A)

Webbing

Students become producers, primary and secondary consumers, scavengers, and decomposers to create a model of a food web. They’ll see the ways that small changes make big ripples throughout an ecosystem.

• Recommended Grade Levels: 3-5
• Subject Area: Science
• Related TEKS: 3.12(B), 4.12(A-B), 5.11(A-C)