EEC Educational Programs
The following TEKS/TAKS aligned Staff programs are 1.5-2 hours long and are taught by the Environmental Center teachers. Some of these programs are also available to non-DISD groups for a fee. If you are not a DISD teacher - and would like to have one of these programs presented for your group/class, call the Center at 972-749-6900 to make arrangements. Self-guided programs are available for DISD teachers who have attended training workshops at the Environmental Center. In case of inclement weather, an alternative indoor program can be substituted. All of the following programs have been correlated to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). For a more detailed description of each program and cross-reference information to the TEKS, call the Center at 972-749-6900.
The Texas Education Agency has published an informative guide for teachers and campus administrators which outlines the importance of quality field experiences in the overall curriculum and offers guidelines and resources for conducting quality, curriculum-aligned field investigations for students. Click on: Guidelines for Instructional Field Experiences (TEA document).
For more detailed information about the grade level programs listed below, including TEKS and TAKS references, please visit the DISD Environmental Center information page on the Curriculum Central Website.
Kindergarten Programs
Over in the Meadow
Discover the Pond and Prairie
Discover the Woods and Meadows
Trees
First Grade Programs
Marvelous Mammals
Discover the Pond & Prairie
Discover the Woods & Meadows
Seeds
Second Grade Programs
Happy as a Bug
How's the Weather?
Our Green World
Discover the Woods and Meadows
Third Grade Programs
Discover the Pond Habitat
Our Feathered Friends
Discover the Woods & Meadows Habitat
Rocks and Minerals
Compost Happens!
Discovering Our Solar System (New for 2005-06)
Fourth Grade Programs
Life in the Past (Fossils)
American Indians
Reptiles & Amphibians
Water, Water Everywhere
Forest Nature Trail
Our Green World
Down & Dirty (Soil Study)
Fifth Grade Programs
Predators!
Animal Adaptations - Birds
The Pond Ecosystem
Forest Nature Trail
Find your Niche (New for 2005-06)
Sixth Grade Programs
Ecology of a Freshwater Pond
Forest Ecology - Forest Trail Walk
Weather and Our Atmosphere
Reptiles & Amphibians
Here Comes the Sun
Your Planet - Your Decision
Seventh Grade Programs
Freshwater Pond Ecology
Animal Adaptations - Birds
Forest Ecology - Post Oak Preserve Trail Walk
Grassland Ecology
Reptiles and Amphibians
Eighth Grade Programs
The Freshwater Pond Ecosystem
Animal Adaptations - Birds
The Forest Ecosystem
Reptiles and Amphibians
Grassland Ecology
Your Planet - Your Decision
Now You See 'em, Now You Don't (endangered species and biodiversity) New for 2005-06.
9-12 Grade Programs
Pond Ecology
Mammals
Forest Ecology
Grassland Ecology
Reptiles and Amphibians
Birds
Life in the Past (Fossils)
Botany/Plant Studies including trees
Water Chemistry (Chemistry of a Freshwater Pond)
Rocks and Minerals
Weather