Earth School

Earth School leads fifth graders outside, on school grounds, for a hands-on presentation about Austin's watersheds, the Edwards Aquifer, water quality, pollution prevention, and flood safety. The program is aligned with state standards and offered to schools in Austin for FREE by the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department.

Students model water flow in a watershed and aquifer, identify pollution threats, and learn about flood safety and actions they can take to help protect water quality. These hands-on experiences build background knowledge and engage students in science inquiry relevant to their daily lives and local community. Content is correlated to the state standards and can enrich lessons about landforms, water, and the environment. To schedule a presentation for your class, please send us an email.

Earth School Lesson

Learn More

How long is the Earth School presentation?: The Earth School presentation is typically one hour and 30 minutes per class (however, special accommodations may be made for a longer or shorter presentation). The more time we have scheduled with your students, the more in-depth educational opportunities we can provide. Earth School educators tailor the lessons to each individual campus.

What do teachers say about Earth School?

Teacher Testimonials:

“I LOVE that the lessons are outside. It was nice to incorporate our school grounds and our watershed into the lessons.”

“Great presentations! The kids learned A LOT and had a blast doing it.”

“This is a very valuable lesson for the students. I love the hands-on activities. Students are engaged and work together to discover the knowledge. It ties in well with concepts taught in class. The presenter were wonderful. The students truly enjoyed the lessons.”

“Not only was the information relevant to the curriculum, but it was relevant to the lives of the scholars.”

“I loved all of the interactive activities. The kids were 100% engaged.”

What if our school is not able to schedule all of the presentations in one day?: If your school is not able to schedule all of the presentations in one day, you can work with the program coordinator to schedule two dates.

What materials do my students need for Earth School?: Our Earth School teachers will bring all of the materials that students need. Students should dress comfortably for the weather since the program takes place outside, and they may want to wear a hat and bring a water bottle.

When should I register for Earth School?: Registration forms are accepted throughout the school year, but the earlier you register the more likely you are to receive your choice dates.