Education Program
The GBRA Communications and Education Department works with employees, customers, teachers and the general public to increase their awareness and appreciation of the water and natural resources in the Guadalupe River Basin, and GBRA's stewardship, protection, conservation and reclamation of these resources. A wide variety of materials and formats are used to communicate this information, including the annual report, quarterly newsletter, special focus publications, tours, guest speakers and free education programs that meet all state-mandated requirements, including TEKS and TAKS elements.
Tours, displays, speakers and literature are available for classrooms, clubs and organizations on a wide variety of subjects, including water and wastewater treatment, GBRA facilities and hydroelectric plants, Canyon Dam and Reservoir, water quality testing, conservation, and many current projects and water issues.
Public Outreach Tools
GBRA has developed public outreach interactive media tools that educate citizens about the on-site and off-site treatment of domestic wastewater.
Journey through the Guadalupe River Basin
Journey through the Guadalupe River Basin is an elementary water education curriculum provided free to all 4th grade classrooms in the Guadalupe Basin. This includes Kendall, Guadalupe, Comal, Hays, Caldwell, Gonzales, Refugio, DeWitt, Calhoun and Victoria counties.
Two cartoon characters, "Edward A. Armadillo" and "Lupe" the turtle guide teachers and students on a trip down the Guadalupe River, introducing them to their watershed, the history and geography of the river basin, aquifers and the importance of springflow to the Guadalupe River, dams and hydroelectric generation, how water is used and by whom, and the importance of water regulation and conservation.
River of Life
River of Life is GBRA's newest curriculum for middle school students and is designed to promote their understanding and appreciation of water. The program's development was guided by a steering committee of 6th-8th grade science and social studies teachers from each county in GBRA's statutory district, who provided input, suggested lessons and reviewed the curriculum during its development. The curriculum includes lessons on the physical properties of water, the hydrologic cycle, the watersheds of the Guadalupe River, the Edwards and other aquifers in the region, the health of a body of water, pollution sources, drinking water, and wastewater treatment. A teacher guide, interactive CD for students, and other key materials are included in the kit.
Don’t Be Clueless About Water Quality
Curriculum Supplement (grades 4-8) dealing with Non-Point Source Pollution. Teachers interested in addressing watersheds and water quality in the Guadalupe River Basin are encouraged to explore the topic, using the 5-E Model of Science Instruction. TEKS correlated. PowerPoint programs (access above) included in the program are Watershed Jeopardy and Why Watersheds. Also included is use of the Guadalupe River Basin puzzle.
How Water Works: An Interactive Tour
Take a virtual, interactive tour of a typical city water system. This CD-based animation of the popular "How Water Works" illustrative series from the American Water Works Association magazine provides active links that take you through the processes, equipment, and technology of a typical water supply and wastewater treatment system.
The CD shows viewers the entire process:
- Piping of raw water from rivers and other water sources to the water treatment plant (includes the inner workings of a dam)
- Treatment of raw water using filtration and disinfection processes to make it potable
- Transport of the potable water by pipes to finished water storage facilities
- Distribution via water mains to homes, businesses, and fire hydrants
- Movement of used water through pipes to the wastewater treatment plant
- Treatment of the wastewater to a near potable state
- Piping of treated wastewater to a receiving body of water, such as a river, where the process repeats itself
The CD is interactive. Rolling your mouse over numbered areas of the illustration displays brief descriptions of the various parts of the system. Clicking on a number displays a close-up, cutaway illustration and detailed explanation of the technology being used.
Guadalupe River Watersheds Puzzle
A Macromedia flash program that allows students to learn about the different counties within the Guadalupe River Watershed. Play Now!
Links for Children and Educators
- Water Cycle Animation – NASA
- Discover which Endangered Species can be found in your county
- View a presentation to learn about the importance of watersheds, and what you can do to preserve yours
- Interactive Water Cycle for students and teachers
- USGS Water Science for Schools - activities including questionnaires, challenges, opinion surveys, pictures, and lots of information about water in general
- EPA website for kids with games, activities and health information.
- Information about Endangered Species, the Edwards Aquifer, San Marcos River and TX State
- Information, news, maps and graphics about the Edwards Aquifer
- EPA Surf Your Watershed
- A Watershed Game for grade 4-12
- Fish and Wildlife slide show about Endangered Species
- The GREEN Hands-On Center helps you understand your water quality tests and learn more about why they are so important for indicating the health of your watershed.
- The Story of Drinking Water: Explore this fun website from American Water Works Association full games and information on a variety of water related topics.
Links for Educators
Contact
For more information about Education Services, please contact the GBRA Communications and Education Department at:
Cinde Thomas-Jimenez
933 East Court Street, Seguin, TX 78155
Phone: 830-379-5822 or 800-413-5822
Fax: 830-379-7478
E-mail:
933 East Court Street, Seguin, TX 78155
Phone: 830-379-5822 or 800-413-5822
Fax: 830-379-7478
E-mail:
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust was founded in 2001 to conserve land in the Guadalupe River Watershed.