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Water Quest

Activity

Observing the Dynamics of Water

Study the movement of different types of water around campus. Some ideas include the memorial fountain, pool, puddles, fish tanks, raindrops on the window, dew on leaves, grass and flowers, melting ice cubes and more!
water droplets on large green leaves
an ice cube melting into a puddle of water on a black smooth surface
rings on the surface of water caused by raindrops

Science Seed

Water can be a solid (ice), liquid (water), or gas (vapor). This allows it to evaporate, condense into clouds, and fall as rain, making the water cycle that brings us rain and snow. Water molecules can also stick to each other (cohesion) and to other things (adhesion). This is why water forms drops and can collect on plants. By observing puddles and dew, notice how water collects and evaporates, cycling back into our environment through rain, filling our water sources. This is very important in places like Texas that are prone to drought. Observing or touching raindrops on windows and water absorption by plants shows how water moves through the environment. Plants in Texas have adapted to rising temperatures by retaining water and having deep tap roots that reach underground water and prevent erosion. For example, mesquite trees can have tap roots up to 50 feet deep allowing them to search for water.
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 the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Ecologist School Pocket Guide: TSBVI edition is a collaboration between Families in Nature and the Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired as an effort to help our community learn more about the TSBVI campus, while getting outside into nature together! This booklet has 80 lessons across 16 different branches of science to help you play, learn, and volunteer on campus!

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.
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