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Outdoor School Curriculum

Instructors will model and facilitate while students learn using hands-on/inquiry teaching methods. Students will develop a curiosity and ownership for the outdoors using the following units. Each lesson meets many TEKS requirements.


Academies are 3 day/ 2night visits.

Excursions are a single day visit.

Units will be modified for excursions/day visits.

Aquatic Biology - Hands-on experience in the South Llano River. This full day unit involves instruction in the water cycle, metamorphosis, water temperature, pH testing and collecting macroinvertebrates from the river. Each student has access to a multitude of tools that help them learn to evaluate and draw conclusions about water quality and how to protect our watershed.

Quail CSI - Students will be hiking in a natural quail habitat in order to investigate crime scenes. They will work together to draw inferences based on observations and will analyze clues to identify perpetrators of nest depredation. Students will explain how the predator-prey relationship affects populations of quail and its predator species. Finally, students will identify various adaptations of predators and prey.

Teambuilding – Teambuilding activities focus on the 3 C’s – Communication, Cooperation, and Commitment. Students learn to function together as a group and make new friends during these engaging activities.

Newton's Laws of Motion - Students will be immersed in a conceptual study of Newton's three laws of motion. Students will conduct experiments using everyday objects to experience each law and will focus on the concepts presented in order to build a knowledge base for future learning. This lesson is based on 6th - 8th Force and Motion TEKS.

Geology – A field adventure that takes the students to an off campus site where they can experience the skill involved with being a geologist. Students will use safety tools and rock picks to collect and test rock samples in order to discover the type of rock in an area. Instruction includes learning about minerals, sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rock and their characteristics.

Pedology – Manipulation of various types of soil. Students discover how to compare the texture and permeability of soil samples, learn how soil properties affect organisms and plant growth through soil sampling, and perform soil tests such as pH and organism collection.

Ecology - Hands-on activities designed to apply both science and mathematics skills placing students in the role of an ecologist. Using GPS technology as well as traditional tools, students will observe, record and identify local flora and fauna while discovering habitats and how they are affected by living organisms and nonliving factors.

Orienteering - A challenging course designed to apply learned compass and map skills, as well as enhance problem solving and teambuilding skills. Compasses and instruction are provided prior to beginning the course.

Hiking – As the students travel down picturesque hiking trails, they are engaged in learning about various plants and their adaptations to the environment. Students use a field guide to identify flora and fauna native to the area.

Pioneer Day – Students travel back in time to experience the daily life of early settlers. Activities include roping, plowing, bartering, candle making, biscuit making, clothes washing, whittling, and woodworking. Students learn the importance of hard work and can compare and contrast life in the past to present day life.

Circuits –Students apply learned concepts about electricity and energy to build a variety of closed circuits using renewable and nonrenewable resources. Hands-on manipulation of tools is key in this unit.

Hot Air Balloons/ Buoyancy Unit - 6th Grade+ Students learn about density and buoyancy before building their very own hot air balloons. Pairs of students build and fly their creation measuring each flight to determine an average length of flight.

Stream Flow Velocity - 6th Grade + Students become hydrologists and use integrated science and mathematics to determine the velocity of the South Llano River.

Solar Cars - 6th Grade+ Students build and race solar-powered cars, then compare and contrast design choices associated with the car. This is a fun activity that applies important energy and design concepts. An extra fee applies.

 

ACADEMY EVENING ACTIVITY CHOICES

Astronomy - Discover and explore the wonders of the universe. Students learn the moon phases and view constellations using binoculars and telescopes.

Ornithology – Experience and observe the Great Horned Owl. Students use safe lab practices to dissect owl pellets. Students take part in a night hike as instructors call up a Great Horned Owl during an owl watch.

Project Wild Activities – A variety of these Project Wild activities are available to educate students in ecology and outdoor education. These interactive activities allow students to actively learn about wildlife scenarios while having a great time.

Challenge Course – Students are placed in small groups and work together to strategize an order for visiting flags placed around our TTU Junction campus. Each group receives ½ of the points for finding the flag and the other ½ for answering a question about the week correctly. This activity is a great review over the week’s units and activities that allows for map reading practice, teamwork and some friendly competition.

Fishing – Grab a fishing pole and enjoy the beauty of the South Llano River. Students fish using a bamboo pole and live worms during this catch and release activity.