Grant Funded Programming

STEM Ecology

STEM Ecology includes all components of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Includes both station and trail activities, and a live animal presentation. There is a different STEM Ecology Program for each grade level and it correlates with specific TEKS for each grade level.

4.5- hour program
Each student completes a STEM journal
All ages, different programs for each grade
Currently grant funded by the Arconic Foundation

Thank you Arconic Power and Propulsion for helping us provide STEM education at River Bend Nature Center to students throughout our region.

Monitor the Wichita, Become a Citizen Scientist

Students will rotate through four stations including the history of the Wichita River, watersheds, water chemistry, and native Texas fish. This program will also include trail activities at the Wichita River. They will collect data such as temperature, pH, DO and transparency. Students will also learn to identify plants an animals in a riparian ecosystem.

5.5-hour program
Upper elementary through high school
Currently grant funded by the Texas Parks and Wildlife

Thank you Texas Parks and Wildlife for your support!

FAQs

How do we schedule?

To ensure a favorable time, it is better to schedule as early in advance as possible, even 4-6 weeks if possible. Field trips are available throughout the year. Your program date will be confirmed by e-mail after you submit a reservation request.

What is the fee?

2-hour field trips have a minimum price of $50 which covers 10 students*, additional students are $5 per student.
3- hour programs such as STEM and STEAM Ecology have a minimum price of $60 which covers 10 students*, additional students are $6 per student.
4.5- hour programs such as STEM and STEAM Ecology have a minimum price of $80 which covers 10 students*, additional students are $8 per student.

*Groups with less than 10 kids are still required to pay the minimum price for the program.

How many of us can visit?

Field Trips can be tailored to up to 80 students. STEAM and STEM programs can be tailored to up to 40 students. Each program has a minimum price, see fee’s below for details. If you have a larger group, please call 940-767-0843 early to make special arrangements.

What is the field guide to student ratio?

Guides will be secured based on the number of students quoted. We provide one field guide per 8-12 students.

What else should we know?

Picnic tables, water fountains, and restroom facilities are available. You are welcome to stay after the program and eat lunch or snack. There is no additional charge, but a reservation is required for the pavilion. Please do not leave children unattended.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Precautions

Protect yourself and others by following these guidelines:
-Visitors and employees must be symptom and fever-free
-State mandate requires visitors to wear face masks or face coverings unless exempt, employees are required to wear face masks
-Visitors and employees must stay 6ft apart
-Surfaces will be regularly disinfected between customers
-Visitors must sanitize their hands upon entry

Students must NOT have displayed symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit, or known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 within the last 7 days. All teachers, chaperones, and students will have their temperature checked upon arrival.

Please arrive on time, and depart on time. Confirmations of the date and time are sent prior to the field trip date. Please call the office, 767-0843, to let us know if buses are running late. Our field guide staff members report to duty based on the field trip schedule each day. We cannot lengthen the field trip if a group is late, our guides schedule may not allow them to stay any longer than the schedule indicated.