Elementary and Middle School Groups
Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation offers environmental field study programs at three of the region’s best natural resource parks. Roy P. Drachman Agua Caliente Park, located on the east side of Tucson, is a true desert oasis. Natural spring-fed ponds attract a variety of wildlife and provide some of the most exciting bird watching in the area. Felíz Paseos Park and Tucson Mountain Park, located on the west side of Tucson, showcase the iconic Saguaro-Paloverde ecosystem characteristic of the Sonoran Desert.
Read through the following detailed program descriptions to help you decide which programs best suit the needs of you and your students. All environmental field study programs are linked to the Arizona Academic Standards and selected programs are available for the schoolyard or the classroom. Check the Program Location Table in the following brochure to find out which programs works best for you.
Elementary and Middle School Programs Brochure
For more information about school programs offered, or to schedule a program, contact (520) 615-7855 Ext. 101 or email us at eeducation@pima.gov.
Ecosystem Discovery
Explore the diversity of life in riparian and desert ecosystems through guided, hands-on exploration. Students use binoculars and hand-lenses to make observations and work as a class to understand the interrelationships between plants and animals and the environment.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S3: C3: S4: C1: G1PO2, G1PO3; G2PO1, G2PO3; G3PO1; G4PO2; G6PO1; HSPO4; C2: G3PO2; C3: KPO1, KPO2, G1PO1, G1PO3; G3PO1, G3PO3, G3PO4, G3PO5; G4PO1, G4PO3; G6PO1, G6PO2; G7PO1, G7PO2, G7PO3, G7PO6; C4: G3PO1; G4PO1, G4PO2; G8PO1, G8PO6. Writing S2, C1, G1, PO2; S2, C1, G4-5, PO3; S2, C1, G6-8, PO4. Social Studies 3SS-P4, P5; 4SC- F4, F7, E7, P4, P6.
Elementary School
Middle School
Worksheet
Water Quality
Students learn first-hand how scientists study water by collecting water samples and taking scientific water quality measurements. Types of test performed depend on grade level.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Mathematics 1M- R1, F2, E1, E6; 2M- R2, F1, F2, E1, P1, P2; 5M- F2; 6M-E1. Science S4: C1: G6PO1; S6: C3: G4PO1. Social Studies 3SS: F2PO5, E7PO6, P4PO3, D3PO6; 6SC: F1, E6, P5.
Elementary School – grades K-3
Elementary and Middle School – grades 4-8
Observing Birds
Learn the important roles of birds in the environment and how to identify common birds of the desert southwest. Students use binoculars to complete bird diagrams to exercise their observational skills.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S4: C1: G1PO2, G1PO3; G2PO1; G4PO2; C2: G1PO2; C3: KPO1; C4: G3PO1, G8PO5, G8PO6.
Elementary and Middle School
Worksheet
Duck Diagrams
Aquatic Ecosystems
The natural spring and pond at Agua Caliente Park are teeming with life. Use nets, skimmers and buckets to collect water samples and then watch the water come to life under the microscope. Students refine their observation skills and sketch aquatic invertebrates.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S4: C1- G1PO2, G1PO3; G2PO1, G2PO3; G4PO2; G6PO1, G6PO6; C2-G1PO2, G2PO1, G2PO3; G3PO2; C3-KPO1, KPO2, G1PO1, G1PO3; G3PO1, G3PO2, G3PO3, G3PO4, G3PO5; G4PO1 G4PO3; G4PO1, G4PO3; G6PO1, G6PO2; G7PO1, G7PO2, G7PO3, G7PO5, G7PO6, C4-G3PO1; G4PO1, G4PO2; G8PO1, G8PO5, G8PO6; 3SS-F2PO5; 3SS-E7PO6; 3SSP4PO3, 3SS P4PO3; 4SS-F4, F7, E7, P4, P6.
Elementary School
Middle School
Worksheet
Bat Research Simulation
Students learn about the fascinating lives of bats while they practice scientific field research methods during this outdoor bat netting simulation. Students collect model bats, take measurements, identify species, and record data which is compared to actual bat data from research in the Sonoran Desert.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Math S2C1, S3C4, S4C3; Science S1C1, C2, C3; S3C1, C2; S4C1, C3, C4.
Elementary and Middle School
Experiencing Nature through the Senses
With the creative use of animal pelts, skull replicas, tracks, sounds and botanical preparations we excite all your senses. Students practice nature journaling as a way to record observations and express experiences.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S4: C1-G1PO2, G2PO1, G4PO2, KPO3; C2-G1PO2, G2PO2; C3-KPO1, G1PO1, G1PO3, G3PO1, G7PO2, G7PO3; C4-G8PO5.
Elementary School
Middle School
Journal
Geology of the Tucson Mountains
The geology of the Tucson Mountains is often described as chaotic due to the hodge-podge of geologic features seen today. Explore some of these dramatic features to understand how the Tucson Mountains and the Tucson Basin was formed. This class trip involves relatively easy hiking over desert terrain.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S6C1G7PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4; S6C2G7PO1, PO2, PO3, PO5. Social Studies 3SS-E4PO3, PO5, PO6; 6SC-E4, 6SC-P4.
Middle School
Orienteering
A fun and practical way to explore the desert is through orienteering, or the use of map and compass to find your way. Students learn how the Earth’s natural magnetic field interacts with a compass and how wildlife relies on magnetic fields to navigate. Then each student will practice their skills on a custom made orienteering course.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Mathematics 1M-E1, 2M-E1, 3M-P1, 4M-E1, 4M-E2, 5M-F3, 5M-F4, 5M-E1, 5M-E2, 5M-E3. Science SC04 S2C1, S3C1, S5C1, SC 4-8 S6C2, SC5-8 S2C1, S3C1, S5C1, S6C1, SCHS S2C1, S3C1, S5C1, S6C2; S6: C1: G3PO1, G7PO2. Health 2PA-P5, 5PA-E3, 5PA-P1, 6PA-E3, 7PA-E3. Social Studies 3SS-F1, PO1, PO2, PO6; 3SS-F2, PO2; 3SS-E1, PO2, PO3; 3SS-E3, PO2; 3SS-E4, PO3; 3SS-D1, PO5; 6SC-E3.
Elementary and Middle School
Desert Wildlife Ecology
Live wildlife classroom presentations are available to enhance the study of desert wildlife. This program is useful as a preparation for field study trips to Pima County’s natural resource parks or to enhance biology, ecology and conservation education classes. Presentation focus is easily adapted to the specific needs of each class.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S4: C1: G2PO1; G4PO2; G6PO1, C2: G1PO1; C3: KPO1, KPO2; G1PO1; G1PO3; G4PO3; G3PO5, C4: G3PO1; G8PO1, G8PO6. Social Studies 2SS-R2, F2, E6, E7, D2
Elementary and Middle School
Earthkeepers
4th and 5th grade students are immersed in a unique 2½-day experience at Agua Caliente Park to complete the Earthkeepers Level I training. The principle objective for this internationally-acclaimed program is to produce students who possess basic ecological understandings and appreciation for the earth and its life. Earthkeepers requires classroom work, homework and 2½ school days at Agua Caliente Park.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S4: C3: G4PO1, G4PO3, G4PO4; G6PO1, G6PO2. Social Studies 6SC-E4.
Agua Caliente History Day
February - Call for Scheduled Date
Arizona history as it relates to historic Agua Caliente Park comes to life through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities. Enjoy a day of activities focused on different periods of Arizona’s past and conclude with an interactive timeline. This event is geared towards 4th grade classes studying Arizona History.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Social Studies and History 3SS-E2-PO4, PO1.
Earth Day at Agua Caliente Park
April - Call for Scheduled Date
This annual event offers a variety of hands-on activities for 3rd through 6th grade classes. Students are engaged during six, 30-minute sessions to learn about energy efficiency, habitat conservation, local water issues, recycling, nature art and much more. Arizona Academic Standards vary; activity selections made with reservation.
Tucson’s River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Workshops and In-School Residency
Exploring Watersheds Workshop
Students build a watershed model and track the movement of water through the landscape. During this activity your class will discover the connections that plants and animals have to water and learn about the water cycle. The Exploring Watersheds lesson is a pre-requisite to the Poetry Writing Workshop.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S4, C2, GK-4; S4, C4, GK-8; S6, C3, GK-4.
Elementary School – grades K-3
Elementary and Middle School – grades 4-8
Poetry Writing Workshop
Following the exploration of watersheds students express their understandings through a series of engaging poetry writing exercises. Additional class time will be necessary for students to complete their poems for submission to Tucson’s River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Contest. Contest information and entry forms are available online at www.pima.gov/nrpr or email eeducation@pima.gov
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Writing S2, C1, G1-2, PO1, PO2; S2, C1, G3-5, PO1, PO2, PO3; S2, C1, G6-8, PO1, PO2, PO4; S2, C1, G3-5, PO1, PO2, PO5; S2, C2, G6-8, PO1, PO2, PO6; S2, C4, G1-2, PO1, PO2, PO3; S2, C4, G3-5, PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4; S2, C4, G6-8, PO1, PO2, PO3,PO4.
Tucson’s River of Words (TROW) In-School Residency
TROW science and art teachers engage students in an extended study of the local environment to learn the fundamental concepts of watersheds, water cycles, water resources and conservation. The poetry or visual art instructors work with the students on individual and collaborative projects that demonstrate the integration of the arts into environmental education. The duration and specific lesson plans for the TROW In-School Residency will be determined at the time of scheduling.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S4, C2, GK-4; S4, C4, GK-8; S6, C3, GK-4. Writing or Visual Arts.
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