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What’s It Like to Be a Fish?

Activity

Dive into the Life of Shoal Creek’s Aquatic Creatures

Fish experience the world in a very different way than we do! Imagine you are a fish living in Shoal Creek. How do you see, hear, and move? Do you swim near the surface or hide among rocks? How do you find food or avoid predators? Act out how your fish moves and interacts with the water. Does it dart quickly like a minnow or stay still and hidden like a catfish?

Science Seed

Fish have unique adaptations that help them survive in creeks like Shoal Creek. Their bodies are built for different habitats within the water. For example, minnows and sunfish have streamlined bodies that help them dart quickly to escape predators, while catfish have flat bodies that let them stay close to the creek bottom, where the current is slower. Fish also don’t rely on just their eyes to understand their surroundings—they have a special organ called the lateral line, which helps them detect vibrations and movement in the water, alerting them to approaching predators or prey. Many fish also have specialized mouths suited to their diets: sunfish have strong jaws for catching insects, while catfish use their whisker-like barbels to sense food in murky water. The speed of the water also affects where fish live—some species prefer calm, deeper pools, while others are adapted to swim against strong currents. These adaptations help fish find food, avoid danger, and survive in Shoal Creek’s constantly changing environment.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore Pease Park Conservancy

The Ecologist School Pocket Guide: Pease Park Edition is a collaboration between Families in Nature and Pease Park Conservancy as an effort to help our community learn more about the ecosystem and history of Pease Park, while getting outside into nature together! This booklet has 64 lessons across 16 different branches of science to help you play, learn and volunteer in the park as a family!

Each branch of science corresponds with a matching badge featured in the top right corner of every activity. Complete all 4 activities in a science slice and you are eligible to earn that badge.

Circle of Sciences

Our hands-on activities span across 16 different branches of science! Each Science Slice is broken into 8 learning categories: S.T.E.A.M., Volunteerism, Outdoor Skills and Leadership Development. Our activities are designed to be enjoyed by all ages.

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

Pease Park Conservancy works in partnership with the City of Austin to set the standard for the principles of world-class park management – emphasizing environmental excellence – to improve the quality of this treasured green space for the enjoyment of all.

Our mission celebrates the diverse ecology and history that make Austin’s first public park valuable and unique. The Conservancy works to restore, enhance and maintain this 84-acre public green space for the sustainable use and enjoyment of all.