The Upper Guadalupe River Authority and Riverside Nature Center are longstanding educational partners. Since 2018, the UGRA Board has approved funding to offer the UGRA 2nd Grade Science Day at Riverside Nature Center field trip to all Kerr County 2nd graders. We look forward to resuming in person field trips with area students and educators very soon. Until then, we offer you the following videos presented by educators from UGRA, Riverside Nature Center, and the Hill County Master Gardeners. Regardless of your age, we encourage you to explore the videos and enjoy learning more about the Guadalupe River and the natural world.
For 2nd Grade Teachers
If you are a Kerr County 2nd grade teacher, be sure to watch the intro video below to find out how to receive activity packets to complement each of the four lessons. Contact Shelby Taber with questions (staber@ugra.org).
Once you complete the videos and activities with your students, please complete this SURVEY.
2nd Grade Teacher Intro Video
River of Life
The Guadalupe River in Kerr County is beautiful, dynamic, and full of life. Learn more about the environment of the Guadalupe River and the different habitats it provides for aquatic organisms.
Life Cycles
Many organisms do not look exactly the same throughout their life. Their bodies undergo changes as they grow. We call the stages a living thing goes through during its life the Life Cycle. Using frogs, butterflies, and plants as examples, we discuss how to recognize and describe life cycles.
Adaptations
Organisms have different physical or behavioral characteristics that help them survive better in their environment. Using birds as an example, we discuss their special feet, beaks, feathers, and eyes as examples of adaptations that help them live in certain habitats.
Decomposers
A decomposer is an organism that breaks down dead plant, animal, and waste material. Decomposers like earthworms eat the materials, consume the nutrients, and help produce more soil. By making nutrients available in the soil for plants to use, they are an important part of the cycle that creates food for all organisms on earth – including people!