Travis Elementary Kinder Class Explores the Wonderment of Aquarena

By, Kelly Zarate

I recently had the wonderful experience of joining Ms. Natal and her kindergarten students at Travis Elementary as they participated in a learning opportunity that inspired fascination and appreciation for natural beauty.

As the campus is situated so close to one of the community’s treasured conservation jewels, an ideal day trip to explore nature is a short walk away. That is just what students discovered under the canopy of brightly colored seasonal leaves at Texas State’s Aquarena Springs, a thriving ecosystem that invites wonder and observation.

Students took a pleasant stroll down the trails and by the lily pad pond to investigate about how the natural spring is teeming with unique animal and plant species that they could learn more about this part of nature. Their fascination with science spilled over as they took interest in tiny fish, insects, and hydrophytes.

Travel along Spring Lake, aboard the educational glass bottom boat tour spurred questions and curiosities about everything from scuba diving to conservation and species identification.

Students observed birds, turtles, fish, and an assortment of intriguing creatures at the aquarium exhibit, including Texas Blind Salamanders, San Marcos Salamanders, and Fountain darters. They also viewed educational videos and explored interactive exhibits showcasing the Edwards Aquifer and the Water Systems of Texas.

Afterwards, the tour guide shared important information about the positive benefits of recycling, and talked about the ways that plastic and other synthetic materials affect the environment. Students excitedly participated in a relay game designed to add a good dose of fun to the guide’s talk about recycling as they enjoyed the beauty of the park.

This outdoor classroom experience was clearly an opportunity to make positive and lasting impressions about the wonder of science and the community’s efforts preserve a prized wetland habitat that is nestled in San Marcos so close to their elementary campus.

Kelly Zarate is a District Technology Integration Instructional Coach who teachesProject Based Learning along with Social Studies