Pioneer Living

Students cook in and learn the history of the Dutch oven as well as learning about life & survival in a Pioneer Camp headed west in the 1800’s, such as Lewis & Clark. The students measure, mix, and prepare all the ingredients for a cobbler to be made in the Dutch oven.  At the end of class the students have an opportunity to eat the cobbler they have prepared in the Dutch oven.

Animal Evidence Hike

Students will study various animal tracks from our nature guide and learn to identify them.  Then they set out to explore and see how many different tracks they can identify.

Fishing

Students have the opportunity to use a fishing pole and experience, some for the first time, the joy, excitement, and challenge of catching a fish.  They will be able to identify each fish caught, and the basic parts of the fish.  They will also keep track of the type of bait used, the time of day, what the weather was like at the time of the catch, and the weight of the fish.  All of this information will be recorded and graphed in their journal.  Students will also learn how to handle the fish in a safe and responsible way as well as the importance of catch and release fishing.

Worm Composting

Students will study Earthworms and talk about how worms eat our garbage! They will look at the different parts of a worm and discuss how these are beneficial to the worms needs.

Physics

Our physics course is intended to peak students interest into this fascinating but often intimidating field of science. Students will conduct a variety of hands-on demonstrations and experiments in a fast paced exploration of the basic laws of motion. We will look at some exciting applications of these principles and discover that basic formulas can lead to amazing discovers. This course will awaken the scientist in everyone.

The Secret Life of a Tree

Discover the ecosystem that is a tree! Much more than meets the eye, students will enter an enthralling world they never new existed. From the miracle of photosynthesis to the shelter provided for countless creatures, you will never see trees the same after this course. Participants will conduct photosynthesis experiments, examine hidden worlds with microscopes and explore an essay from the Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold.

Orienteering

Orienteering introduces the student to navigation using a compass and map to move from one point to another. As they move through the course, they will be introduced to the Tonkawa’s, the original inhabitants of this land and their culture. The group will encounter challenges along the course that will require them to work as a team. A history of navigation will be explored along with the GPS unit of today.

Canoeing

Students will learn a brief history of the first canoes, their design and the materials used. They will also be able to distinguish the different parts of a canoe and the three basic canoeing strokes.  Then they hit the water to practice their skills.

Tree Cookie

Students will describe the uniqueness of individual trees.  They will describe the need for trees, and how to care for them.  Students will learn the general structure of a tree & explain how the different parts of a tree help the tree function.  The students will be able to identify and explain the significance of a tree’s annual rings.  They will also discover how the trees get the food they need through photosynthesis.

Entomology

Students will study and identify several common insects.  A portion of the class will be devoted to exploring and identifying local insects.

Pond Water Tour

Students study and measure changes in the water quality of a lake, stream, pond, aquarium, or even a fish bowl. Each student conducts water quality tests for pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and ammonia using safe, simple TesTabs® reagent tablets.

Meteorology

What makes the wind blow? After this course students will answer with clarity and confidence. The meteorology course removes the mystery of weather patterns and cycles. Students will discuss natural cycles and our impact on them. The course is filled with hands-on activities that bring weather to life in front of them. They will create rain, clouds, thunder and lightning. The session culminates with discussion of tornado safety and our tornado chamber!

Nature Hike

Students will begin with the essay “think like a mountain” by Aldo Leopold and then enter our nature trail. As they explore our eco-system they will be introduced to topics such as bio-diversity, water cycles, and animal habitats. The student will discover and identify the various flora and fauna found at Highland Lakes. The nature hike course encompasses language arts, earth sciences, biology and physical education. Our goal in this course is for each participant to develop their own “land ethic”.

Habitat Adventure

Students will gain a basic knowledge of habitats & ecosystems and how they relate to us.  We will also discuss habitat loss and how it affects wildlife.  Then we will go on an adventure to try to locate evidence of animal habitats.

Soil Study

Students will learn the importance of soil in our daily lives. They will get hands on experience testing the pH levels, nitrogen content, phosphorus content, potassium content, and texture of different soil samples.

Archery

At the archery range students have the opportunity to learn some history of archery and the parts of a bow and arrow while receiving instruction on proper shooting skills.  Each student then has the chance to put into practice what they've learning and try shooting the bows and arrows.  The range is set up in such a way that every student will be successful.

The Nature of Energy

Energy is every where and man spends his life attempting to control and direct it in its various forms. We will walk through various forms of energy and discover how nature uses them to thrive. With a series of experiments and demonstrations, Students will explore the many ways man attempts to employ natural resources. We will take a look at the various “alternative” energy programs that exist today. Discussion will include lessons about conservation of resources.