Are there any good science related field trips in the Texas or Oklahoma area? - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

scico · 02-03-2007, 10:58 AM

Hi. I'm new. My name is Scico. It's short for science counsel. Get it? Scico... Psycho? Corny I know. So, I don't know much about wildlife or parks. I'm more biology related human body and anatomy type.

Okay, so we're taking a group of kids in science club (about 25) somewhere nice. We already have Body Worlds, National Sea Shore, some bat cave and things like that. We're looking for something at the latest in June. The price limit depends. If we were going to Costa Rica or something it'd probably be $2500. Yet, not all of the kids can afford that. So we're looking maybe something less than $100. Anyways, all ideas are welcome. We prefer something in Texas because of liabilty. Like I said, I don't know much about parks. Oh, by the way this is a high school. How about I put it like this:

Where would you go?

Shannon · 02-03-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scico

Hi. I'm new. My name is Scico. It's short for science counsel. Get it? Scico... Psycho? Corny I know. So, I don't know much about wildlife or parks. I'm more biology related human body and anatomy type.

Okay, so we're taking a group of kids in science club (about 25) somewhere nice. We already have Body Worlds, National Sea Shore, some bat cave and things like that. We're looking for something at the latest in June. The price limit depends. If we were going to Costa Rica or something it'd probably be $2500. Yet, not all of the kids can afford that. So we're looking maybe something less than $100. Anyways, all ideas are welcome. We prefer something in Texas because of liabilty. Like I said, I don't know much about parks. Oh, by the way this is a high school. How about I put it like this:

Where would you go?

They've probably already gone to Y.O. Ranch, correct? That's where we went in high school for Honors Biology class.

I know Sea World of Texas does some very good, in-depth "behind the scenes tours", perhaps even ones that could be tailored to your group of kids.

You might check with the National Audubon Society or Nature Conservancy to see if they offer any programs, as well as Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

Depending on how hard science you want to go, I'm sure there's something offered by the University of Texas Health Science Center here in San Antonio.

Just some ideas or thoughts to help with other opportunities.

campermom · 02-03-2007, 10:14 PM

There's an observatory out in west TX and one at Brazos Bend SP outside of Houston, NASA space center, Athens has a huge fish hatchery, As does San Marcos, Texas State University has a huge aquatic studies department, where you could probably get your hands dirty learning something cool, Natural Bridge Caverns in New Braunfels offers a wild cave tour where the kids crawl and have an extreme experience, enchanted rock in fredericksburg for a geology lesson, or what about palo duro canyon in amarillo? There's so much to see in a huge state. You'll need to figure out, how long you're going for, what time of year etc. If it were me, first choice would be a weekend in Houston seeing the Johnson Space center and a night at Brazos Bend at the observatory, even camp there then see their gators and nature center.
Second choice would be a weekend in San Marcos/New Braunfels. Get a hold of the university and get something for Saturday, stay in either city over night ( prefer New Braunfels for the eateries in the am), and crawl the cave Sunday.

Good luck with your search.

aggiehiker92 · 02-06-2007, 11:07 AM

The University of North Texas Geography Department in Denton, Texas has a fantastic facility which in itself is a nice field trip. They have a geography outreach department there (not sure of the actual title) that is an EXCELLENT resource for arranging trips for school-aged youngsters, homeschool groups, etc. You may be able to find out more information on the UNT website that may help you with this endeavor. Good luck.

aggiehiker92 · 02-06-2007, 11:11 AM

OK, found the information...the group is called the Elm Fork Education Center. Great folks, and a great facility.

CyberCelt · 02-11-2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scico

Oh, by the way this is a high school. How about I put it like this:
Where would you go?

The Lower Colorado River Authority has some wonderful educational facilities, especially the one on Matagorda Pennisula.

Visit Westcave Preserve and Hamilton Pool (different days), stay at Krause Springs and go zipping through the tree tops at Cypress Valley (another day).

Learn how to dive and participate in scientific diving at Aquarena Center.

There is so much to do in Texas. I suggest you find out what the kids want to do. Just make it a general casual survey (nature, wildlife, history, geology, aquatics, etc.). Then come back for specifics. LOL

ploddinTod · 02-12-2007, 07:05 PM

Don't forget the Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater, TX the second weekend of March. It's reputed to be the world's largest roundup of its kind.

FYI