High School
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 habitat 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.
High 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 together to understand the interrelationships between plants and animals and the environment.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S3, C3, HSPO1; S4, C1, HSPO4.
Ecosystems Discovery High School Level
Worksheet
Water Monitoring in Freshwater Habitats
The natural spring and pond at Agua Caliente Park are teeming with life. Students collect samples to measure water quality and identify indicator species. The data collected are used to learn the relationship between water quality and the abundance of life. Water chemistry tests conducted include pH, electrical conductivity, alkalinity and dissolved oxygen.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S4, C3, HSPO1-PO2; C4, HSPO4, HSPO6; C5, HSPO2, HSPO4; S5, C1, HSPO2; C4, HSPO2, HSPO12.
Water Monitoring High School Level
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 basin were formed. Use the geologic record to understand how the environment has made dramatic changes over the past 250 million years. This class trip involves relatively easy hiking over desert terrain.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S6, C1, HSPO1-PO2; S6, C3, HSPO4.
Geology of the Tucson Mountains High School Level
Map and Compass
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. Each student will use a compass with a topographic map to determine bearing and distances to specific map points.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Math S1, C3, HSPO1; S4, C3, PO7; S4, C4, PO9. Health S2, 2PA-P5, PO1. Social Studies 3SS-P1 PO1; 3SS-D1 PO5.
Map and Compass High School Level
Desert Wildlife Ecology
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.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S3, C1, PO1, PO3, PO4, PO5; S4, C3, PO1, PO2, PO3; S4, C4, PO4, PO6. Social Studies 4SCP6.
Desert Wildlife Ecology High School Level
Tucson’s River of Words Youth Poetry and Art Workshops and In-School Residency
Exploring Watersheds Workshop
Students track the movement of water through the landscape and learn about land use issues that affect watersheds. Student teams participate in a watershed management planning exercise. The Exploring Watersheds lesson is a pre-requisite to the Poetry Writing Workshop.
Linked to Arizona Academic Standards – Science S4, C3, HS; S6, C1, HS.
Exploring Watersheds Workshop
Poetry Writing Workshop
Following the exploration of watersheds students express their understandings through a series of engaging poetry writing exercises. Poetry Writing Workshop requires a minimum of one class period. 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 HS-S2, C1, PO1, PO2, PO3, PO5; S2, C2, PO1, PO2; S2, C4, PO1, PO2, PO3, PO4, PO5; S2, C5, PO1, PO2, PO3.
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, C3, HS; S6, C1, HS. Language Arts or Visual Arts.
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