Youth Distance Learning is available as On-demand Webinars and via Videoconferencing.
Click here to learn about additional youth programs.
Youth On-demand Webinars
are completely FREE, available 24/7, designed for grades 1-6, Science TEKS aligned, and only require a quick registration before viewing.
Find out more about On-demand Webinars HERE on our website.
Currently you can find our most popular programs online:
Youth Videoconferencing style programs are offered through Connect2Texas. These programs can be viewed either using videoconferencing equipment, or online with your computer using the free videoconferencing program, Zoom. Each program is 45 minutes long, designed for grades 1-6, Science TEKS aligned, and FREE to join. Click the links below, or visit Connect2Texas (
www.connect2texas.net
)
to register (registration for a program can only take place through Connect2Texas).
Upcoming Schedule:
Interactive spots still available for some programs, but sign up fast as they are limited.
September 27 (Tu) - Urban Animal Encounters: Awesome Opossums
Registration Deadline
September
20th
October 5 (W) - ASI: Animal Skull Investigation
October 11 (Tu) - Animal Encounters - Prickly Porcupines
October 14 (F) - Animal Encounters - Fox Facts
October 18 (Tu) - The Magic of Monarchs
October 28 (F) - Animal Encounters: Creepy Critters
October 31 (M) - Animal Encounters: Bats-A-Billion
November 8 (Tu) - Animal Encounters - Hawk Talk
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November 17 (Th) - Let's Talk Turkey
November 30 (W) - More Than a Drop
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Program Descriptions:
Animal Encounters - Prickly Porcupines!
Join us and our prickly guests as we clear up some common misconceptions and discuss porcupines' amazing adaptations. These rodents are unique in so many ways, from being nocturnal to being covered in quills; our program will be packed with fun facts. We will also study porcupine structures, their functions, habitats, and compare new world and old world porcupines. Don't miss this great opportunity to see this rarely seen critter!
Urban Animal Encounters - Awesome Opossums
The perception of opossums is (hopefully) changing with their animated counterparts becoming more popular, especially in movies! Virginia opossums may be the most unique North American mammal, but perception tends to overshadow their awesome traits. Opossums are awesome because of their adaptations, which allow them to live in a nocturnal environment, their unique marsupial structures, and their ability to play dead, just to name a few. We will also clear up any myths and misconceptions that you and your students have about this awesome animal. Please join us and our critter guest star!
The Magic of Monarchs
For such a delicate insect, the Monarch butterfly leads an adventurous life! During spring and fall, millions of Monarchs will travel through Texas on their way to or from their overwintering sites in Mexico. Live caterpillars and adult Monarchs will be on hand during the program, allowing your students to see them up close and in detail. Join us as we discuss the basic needs, life cycle, adaptations, and migration patterns of the Monarch butterfly and learn how you can help conserve this unique creature.
Animal Encounters - Fox Facts
Foxes are identified in popular culture as mischievous, tricky, and cunning animals. This program will introduce one of Texas' more common species, the gray fox. Students will learn how they came to be the tricksters of the animal world and discuss their role in the ecosystem. We will look at their body structures and their functions, their diet, their habitat, and many other fun facts along the way with the help of our animal guest star.
Animal Encounters - Bats-A-Billion
This interactive presentation provides students the opportunity to investigate the relationship between the anatomy and the ecology, including the dietary habits, of different species of bats. This is an experience you will not want to miss. LIVE bats take part in the program! We will look at their unique body structures and their functions that allow bats to fly, identify other special adaptations, as well as discuss their basic needs and diverse habitats. We will also discuss ways you can help these beneficial creatures and conserve their habitats.
Let's Talk Turkey
This interactive presentation introduces students to fun facts about one of our state's most fabulous birds: Rio Grande Turkey! We will discuss turkey anatomy, habitat, adaptations, and basic needs, as well as the various "calls" or vocalizations that turkeys use to communicate in their environment. Students will listen to an assortment of calls and have the opportunity to take an up-close look at a real Wild Turkey specimen.
More Than a Drop
This interactive presentation opens students' eyes to the various facets of water in the environment, from raindrops to aquifers. Students will be challenged to think about where water comes from, how it got there, where it ends up, and how it is being used. Students will have the opportunity to take part in a hands-on, comparative demonstration along with the presenter, to help them better understand water usage and to learn how to conserve this natural resource.
Prairie Dog Discovery
Scientists consider prairie dogs to be a keystone species that affect many aspects of the environment. Join us as we discuss the prairie dog's importance in the ecosystem and their amazing adaptations. Many animals rely on prairie dogs in a variety of ways; their complex underground burrows provide habitat for several species, and they are a food source to many predators. We will also discuss prairie dog structures, their functions, and delve more into their underground habitats.
ASI: Animal Skull Investigation
This interactive presentation allows students the opportunity to investigate skulls of native Texas animals. Unique adaptations will be discussed and students will be asked to identify common structures of animal skulls and then determine their function(s). During the investigations, students will discover the feeding habits, survival adaptations, and finally the identity of our mystery specimens.
Food Chain Fun
This presentation will define food as a basic need as well as educate students about food chains and how energy flows from producers, to consumers, and decomposers. Students will also identify the components of an ecosystem and what may happen in an ecosystem if a link in the food chain is broken.
Life Cycle Series - Complete and Incomplete Metamorphosis
The programs in this series investigate and compare how animals and plants undergo a series of orderly changes during their life cycle. Students will learn about the basic needs and physical characteristics that allow these organisms to survive through each stage of the life cycle.
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