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Amphibian Soundscapes

Activity

Mapping Calls in the Wild

Create an amphibian sound map! Frogs and toads often call to attract mates or communicate, especially near water or damp areas. Mark different frog or toad calls you hear (chirps, croaks, or trills), along with other sounds like rustling leaves or birds. How do amphibians use sound to survive? What do these calls signal about the habitat?
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Science Seed

Frogs and toads use sound as a survival tool, especially during mating season. Male frogs call to attract mates, with each species producing a unique sound—chirps, croaks, trills, or even whistles. These sounds are made using vocal sacs, which allow their calls to carry over long distances, particularly near water where amphibians live. The intensity and frequency of the calls can signal a frog’s size and strength, helping females choose a mate. These sounds also serve as territorial warnings to other males. By listening to frog calls in the environment, scientists can learn about the health of the habitat, as amphibians are sensitive indicators of water quality and ecosystem balance.
botany jar illustration

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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 Sanchez Elementary

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.

Sánchez Elementary School is close to downtown on Austin’s east side. Built in 1976, the campus boasts murals by Raul Valdez depicting the school’s Hispanic history and heritage. Sánchez was one of the district’s first to introduce two-way dual language education- fitting because the school’s namesake, George Sánchez, was a pioneer in bilingual education. This project was made possible by HEB.

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