El Paso-centric Water Lessons
In El Paso, we have a special relationship with water, and our students learn to conserve this precious resource from an early age. Our lessons are relevant to the Chihuahuan desert region and range from short, focused activities to multi-period lessons with videos, labs and more.
Most lessons are aligned with the Texas curriculum standards. Several lessons feature two young tour guides, Ernie and Carmen, who encourage students to organize and collect data, participate in observations, and play science games.
Abiotic and Biotic Factors; Water is Life: Build your own Hueco Tanks, with Carmen and Ernie
Grades: 6-8
Subject: Science
Language: English
In this activity, students will understand that abiotic factors such as water are necessary to create a living environment. Animals use a variety of...
Carmen & Ernie, Citizen Science: Frog and Toad Watch!
Grades: 3-5
Subjects: Biology, Science
Language: English
In this activity students will be learning about frog metamorphosis and the adaptations that our local species (both native and invasive) have made...
Carmen and Ernie's Classroom Keyhole Garden
Grades: 3-5
Subject: Science
Language: English
In this activity students will use information found on seed packets to understand growing conditions for plants, learn that soil is composed of...
El Paso Pollution in Our Waterways and Arroyo Parks, with Carmen and Ernie
Grades: 6-8
Subject: Earth and Space
Language: English
In this activity students will be discussing the effects of gravity on the El Paso water system as they investigate how arroyos recharge the Rio...
El Paso Water Wise Badge Program
Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Subjects: ELA/Reading, Science, Social Studies
Language: English
Earning this special badge will demonstrate your dedication to being Water Wise and inspiring others to conserve water,our most precious resource....
Elephant Butte Research
Grades: 3-5
Subject: Other
Languages: English, Spanish
This lesson will examine one of the most significant changes to the river, the construction of Elephant Butte dam. Students will use historical...
Hold My Water
Grades: 3-5
Subjects: Math, Science, Social Studies
Languages: English, Spanish
In this lesson, students will learn how the Hueco Bolson and the Mesilla Bolson formed here in the Chihuahuan desert and how soil type factors into...
How a Well Works
Grades: 3-5
Subject: Science
Languages: English, Spanish
This lesson offers students the opportunity to model the movement of groundwater and consider how humans influence aquifers.
Migration Station at the Rio Bosque, with Carmen and Ernie
Grades: 3-5
Subject: Science
Language: English
In this activity, students will understand the behaviors of the animals of the Rio Bosque Wetlands Park and how their behavior affects the ecosystem...
Mini Distillation Plant
Grades: 3-5
Subject: Earth and Space
Languages: English, Spanish
This lesson will examine principles of the water cycle in a hands-on and experimental way. Students will separate a solution through passive...
Modeling the Meandering Rio Grande
Grades: 3-5
Subject: Earth and Space
Languages: English, Spanish
In this lesson, students will construct and compare two stream models. The first will investigate the effects of erosion and deposition on a river....
Self-Watering Planter
Grades: K-2
Subject: Earth and Space
Languages: English, Spanish
This lesson will offer students a chance to watch the parts of a plant develop in the classroom.