The Earth Investigations program is specifically designed to get educators in grades first through sixth into an outdoor setting where students can investigate the workings of the water cycle.
Interested teachers can check out an Earth Investigation backpack from H2O University for up to two weeks. The backpack contains a teacher's guide as well as all materials needed to conduct the four to five stations located in each investigation. While this program is teacher-led, field-based opportunity, H2O University staff will be available to conduct training sessions for individual campuses, grade levels or entire school districts.
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EI.1 The Plant-Water Partnership
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San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Educators can take their classes to the San Antonio Botanical Garden and participate in “Earth Investigations: The Plant-Water Partnership”. During this trip, students will travel on a global journey to discover the interrelationship between water and plants. From the deserts of Africa and Mexico to the South American rainforest to the piney woods of East Texas, students will make direct observations in several ecosystems represented at the Garden and investigate the role of plants in the water cycle and the role of water within an ecosystem. Key concepts emphasized in the investigation include natural systems and cycles, adaptations, and habitats. The cost is $2 per student $5 per adult.
Recommended for students in grades 3-6.
Average time to conduct investigation: 3 hours.
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EI.2 The Water Cycle
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Location of your choice
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Use your local park, natural area or even school yard in leading your students on an investigation of the entire water cycle from groundwater to surface runoff. Watch their expressions as they actually see evaporation and transpiration occurring before their eyes.
Recommended for students in grades 2-6.
Average time to conduct investigation: 3 hours.
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EI.2 Field Guide Adobe Acrobat PDF 4 MB
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EI.3 Surface Water
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Salado Creek-Walker Ranch or Leon Creek-Earl Scott Pond/Buddy Calk Trailhead
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Using two local creeks, lead your students on an investigation of the surface water sources that exist in our community and the affects that runoff can have on these important stream systems.
Recommended for students in grades 3-6.
Average time to conduct investigation: 3 hours.
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EI.3 Salado Creek Field Guide
Adobe Acrobat PDF 3 MB
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EI.3 Leon Creek Field Guide Adobe Acrobat PDF 3 MB
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EI.4 Groundwater
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Eisenhower City Park
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Visit this local Hill Country park to investigate how groundwater is formed and the importance of this underground water source to our local drinking system. Students will have an opportunity to see an actual Edwards Aquifer recharge feature as well as viewing 20 miles of countryside from atop an observation platform located on one of the highest points in Bexar County.
Recommended for students in grades 3-6.
Average time to conduct investigation: 3 hours.
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EI.4 Field Guide Adobe Acrobat PDF 2 MB
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EI.5 Making Your Campus a Living Classroom
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Your Campus
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Use your own school facilities to make water come alive for your students. During this investigation, you will look at such topics as storm water runoff, the workings of the water cycle, reading water meters and water conservation techniques.
Recommended for students in grades 1-6.
Average time to conduct investigation: 3 hours.
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EI.7 Investigating Water with the H2O Heroes
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San Antonio Children's Museum
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Take your classes to the San Antonio Children's Museum and participate in "Earth Investigations: Investigating Water with the H2O Heroes." During this visit, students will meet the H2O Heroes right inside their own backyard clubhouse to investigate the interrelationship between water and humans. If booking as a group (15 people or more) the cost is $3 per person and includes admission to all the exhibits at the Children's Museum for 1 1/2 hours, a teacher's pre-visit guide and educational materials for each student. All day admission cost is $6.95 per person.
Recommended for students in grades Kindergarten-1.
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