McKinney RoughsMcKinney Roughs Nature Park

Why Should You Go?

Read teachers' impressions

For the trip to McKinney Roughs, we picked four educational activities for eighth graders. Included with each on-site activity are pre-visit and post-visit suggestions. There is also a "transitional activity" that can be done as students move around the nature park - or can focus on as an integral part of the trip. Pick and choose how you see fit. Timing is flexible for these programs. Teachers just have to talk to the staff about what they really want to do.

School bus iconBefore you leave
Logistics for McKinney Roughs

Check out the link to McKinney Roughs science programs. But be aware that it is not very descriptive on exactly what you'll be doing. Call and talk with Joanie Steinhaus before hand (512-303-5073 or joanie.steinhaus@lcra.org) The staff is flexible and can fit what you want into a trip.

Recommended Field Experiences

River Trip
Students have a safe, personal experience with the Colorado River by paddling with a team as they learn about river history, the ecology of this riparian system and importance of preserving this natural resource.

Water Conservation and Pollution
Students will work on a watershed model to investigate potential sources of pollution in their community.

H20 Studies
A hands-on, real world experience with chemistry through the use of water testing equipment.

Going Places Scientifically (GPS Mapping)
Students learn to use GPA equipment and plot their collected data on a topographic map.

Rivers Land Feature Chart (Transitional Activity)
This is a great activity for helping students in the transitions between locations and/or programs at McKinney Roughs.

Other Great Resources

Fun on-line activity to understand your watershed from the Texas Water Development Board. This is a good local resource that helps make this topic more meaningful for students.

PDF iconWatershed Patch Project developed by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). This can help you motivate your students to take a more conscious approach to water conservation and understanding their watershed. There is a specific section for 7th and 8th graders.

LCRA Presenter: Get an expert from LCRA to talk to your class about watershed pollution! Email at: watershed@lcra.org to request a presentation (and while that person is in your classroom, ask them to talk about his/her career.

Community Involvement

Adopt Your Watershed - Information on adopting your own local watershed from EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

Texas Watch – A network of people gathering information about the natural resources of Texas so that is available to all Texans. 40% are students and teachers! This is a cooperative between Texas State University, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the EPA.

Interdisciplinary Activities

Mapping Famous Rivers (44 Kb PDF) - Integrates geography/history

River-Crossing Math (220 Kb PDF) – Integrates math and science. This is a challenging activity that will really get your students thinking. It is an authentic example of math in the real world.