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.
Riparian and Desert Ecosystem Discovery
Explore the diversity of life in riparian and desert habitats through guided, hands-on exploration. 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:HSPO1;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. Language Arts R-R3, R4, F1, F3, F7, E2; W-R1, F3, F4; LS-R2-R5, F1-F3, E2; VP-R3. Social Studies 3SS-P4, P5; 4SC- F4, F7, E7, P4, P6.
Exploring Aquatic Ecosystems
The natural spring and pond at Agua Caliente Park is teeming with life. Use nets, skimmers and buckets to collect water samples and then watch the water come to life under the microscope. Refine your scientific observation skills and sketch aquatic invertebrates to discover the unique adaptive features of life in the water.
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, 3SSP4PO3; 4SS-F4, F7, E7, P4, P6
Hydrology
Use first-hand observations of desert plants and animals to learn about the connections between the living and non-living parts of the ecosystem. Then, collect water samples from the natural spring and pond and perform a variety of water quality tests. 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.
Experiencing Nature through the Senses
Focus on your keen senses of hearing, taste, touch and smell to explore the desert. The creative use of animal pelts, skull replicas, tracks, sounds, and botanical preparations will be sure to excite all your senses. Then, practice nature journaling as a way to record your observations and express your 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
Orienteering
A fun and practical way to explore the desert is through orienteering, or the use of map and compass to find your way. Learn how the Earth’s natural magnetic field powers a compass and how wildlife relies on magnetic fields to navigate. Then, practice your 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. Language Arts R-F7, R-P1; 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.
Earthkeepers
4th and 5th grade students and teachers 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 some 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
Exploring Watersheds and Writing Poetry
The landscape of the Tucson basin provides a perfect setting for learning about watersheds, or the movement of water across a landscape. Learn the basic concepts of watersheds and the water cycle through a watershed building activity and express your understanding of watersheds through a poetry writing exercise. This activity can be used to prepare student entries to Tucson’s River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Contest. Form and contest rules
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards — Language Arts R-R1, R5, F2, F4, F5, F8, E2, E3, E4, E6, P2; W-R1, R2, F1, F2, F3, E1, E2, P1, P6, D1, D2; LS-R3, R4, R5, F1, F3, E2, E4, P3, D2, D4; VP-R3, F3, E1, P3; Science S6: C3: G4PO1. Social Studies 3SS –F2, PO1, PO3, PO5; 3SS-E1PO3, E7PO6, P4PO3, P4PO5, D3PO2, D3PO6.
Desert Wildlife Ecology & Sonoran Desert Conservation
Multi-media and live wildlife 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 classroom. Availability is limited.
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
Observing Birds
Use spotting scopes, binoculars and field guides to strengthen your observation skills while learning how to identify common birds of the desert southwest.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards — Science S4: C1: G1PO2, G1PO3; G2PO1; G4PO2; C2: G1PO2; C3: KPO1; C4: G3PO1, G8PO5, G8PO6.
Agua Caliente History Day - Thursday, February 12, 2009
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 wrap-up timeline. This event is geared towards 4th grade classes studying Arizona History. Registration required.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards — Social Studies - History 3SS-E2-PO4, PO1
Earth Day at Agua Caliente Park – Wednesday, April 22, 2009
This annual event offers a variety of hands-on activities for 3rd through 6th grade classes. Enjoy six, 30-minute sessions and learn about ecological awareness, wildlife conservation, local water issues, recycling, nature art and much more. Reservations are required and can be made starting March 21, 2008.
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 field trip involves relatively easy hiking over desert terrain. Group size is limited.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards — Science S6C1G7PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4; S6C2G7PO1, PO2, PO3, PO5. Social Studies 3SS-E4PO3, PO5, PO6; 6SC-E4, 6SC-P4
Tucson’s River of Words Youth Poetry & Art Contest & Classroom Workshops
Tucson’s River of Words combines the sciences and arts in a truly unique experience to promote stewardship of our natural resources. By connecting students to the natural world through environmental and art education, the program encourages students to take responsibility for conserving water. Program participants receive 1 hour of in-class instruction from environmental educators about watershed and water conservation and 1 hour of instruction on either poetry writing or mixed-media art. Students are instructed by professional poets and artists on how to express their scientific understandings of watersheds and water conservation through original works of poetry and art. After completing the program, students are encouraged to submit their work to the Tucson’s River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Contest. Contest entry forms will also be available at the program. Contest deadline is February 1, 2009.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards — Language Arts R-R1, R5, F2, F4, F5, F8, E2, E3, E4, E6, P2; W-R1, R2, F1, F2, F3, E1, E2, P1, P6, D1, D2; LS-R3, R4, R5, F1, F3, E2, E4, P3, D2, D4; VP-R3, F3, E1, P3; Science S6: C3: G4PO1. Social Studies 3SS –F2, PO1, PO3, PO5; 3SS-E1PO3, E7PO6, P4PO3, P4PO5, D3PO2, D3PO6.
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