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Classroom Presentations

The River Authority offers TEKS-aligned, inquiry-driven classroom presentations for K through 12th-grade students in Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad Counties. These presentations can be conducted either virtually or in person. After reading through and learning more about our classroom programs, please fill out the classroom presentation request webform at the bottom of this page.

Educator showing river water to young students.
In-Person Classroom Presentations
  • Please reserve a vacant room or space where our educator can set up and present to student groups who rotate through. This will give us time to reset our equipment, ensuring smooth transitions between classes.
  • These presentations are highly interactive and are most effective when conducted one class at a time with 25 students at the most. We are happy to repeat this presentation for multiple classes within your grade level or subject area.
  • Please provide a table at least 2 feet wide and 5 feet long for our model.
Student sits in front of a computer during virtual presentation

 

Virtual Classroom Presentation Information
  • River Authority educators can set up a presentation link through Microsoft Teams. If you wish to use a different virtual platform such as Zoom or Google Meet, please create the link on your account and invite our educator to the session(s).
  • If the program you select requires materials for your students, please ensure the items are distributed before the program begins.
  • Our virtual programs are interactive and can be conducted with one class at a time or with multiple classes simultaneously if using the same link. Please state your preference on the request form below.
Reservation Policy
  • So that the River Authority can provide equal opportunity for all public school districts throughout Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad Counties one grade level per school and up to 3 schools per district will be considered per year. Additional schools within a district wishing to participate will be placed on a waitlist and will be contacted if a date becomes available.
  • All requests are evaluated on a first-come-first-serve basis and accepted at the River Authority's discretion.
  • Classroom presentations must be requested at least three (3) weeks in advance.
  • Requests are pending until processed with confirmed dates by River Authority staff.
  • Confirmations and other important presentation details including pre- and post-presentation classroom activities will be sent to the email address provided in the initial request.
Cancellation Policy
  • If your group is running late, the River Authority cannot guarantee that all activities will occur as originally planned.
  • If unforeseeable circumstances prevent the presentation from proceeding as planned, the River Authority will contact the presentation organizer as soon as possible.
  • A rescheduled presentation is not guaranteed.

We look forward to inspiring your students to learn about and care for their local creeks and rivers!

What classroom presentation topics are offered?

Please see our program descriptions below.

Be River Proud (in person)

Grade levels: 3rd – 12th grades

Presentation duration: 45 minutes

Maximum group size: 25 students. We are happy to repeat this presentation for multiple classes within your grade level or subject area.

Description: This hands-on, interactive presentation explores concepts tailored to your grade level and/or subject area TEKS, including landforms, erosion, watersheds, nonpoint source pollution, flooding, conservation of resources, ecosystems, and environmental changes. We also discuss actions we can take to protect water resources.

 

Be River Proud (virtual)

Grade levels: 3rd – 12th grades

Presentation duration: 45 minutes

Maximum group size: 150 students. We are happy to provide one presentation for all students simultaneously or repeat this presentation for multiple classes within your grade level or subject area.

Description: This presentation is the virtual alternative to our in-person Be River Proud presentation described above. We will explore concepts tailored to your grade level and/or subject area TEKS, including landforms, erosion, watersheds, nonpoint source pollution, flooding, conservation of resources, ecosystems, and environmental changes. Additionally, we will discuss actions we can take to protect water resources.

 

Flooding, Engineering, and the San Antonio River (in person only)

Grade levels: High School

Presentation duration: 45 minutes

Maximum group size: 25 students in person. We are happy to repeat this presentation for multiple classes within your grade level or subject area.

Description: Students will explore the factors responsible for flooding in the San Antonio River Watershed and use a 3D model to assess the effectiveness of flood prevention infrastructure. We will discuss nature-based solutions that aim to prevent flooding as well as resources that students can explore to investigate their proximity to the floodplain.

 

Water Quality in the San Antonio River Watershed (in person only)

Grade levels: High School

Presentation duration: 45 minutes

Maximum group size: 25 students in person. We are happy to repeat this presentation for multiple classes within your grade level or subject area.

Description: High school students will delve into the topic of water quality in the San Antonio River Basin. Students will test water quality parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, nitrates, and phosphates. Additionally, we'll discuss how human activities and environmental changes can negatively or positively affect water quality.

 

Food Chains and Food Webs of the San Antonio River (virtual only)

Grade levels: 1st – 5th grades

Presentation duration: 30 minutes for grades 1-3 and 45 minutes for grades 4-5

Maximum group size: 150 students. We are happy to provide one presentation for all students simultaneously or repeat this presentation for multiple classes within your grade level or subject area.

Description: This presentation engages students in a hands-on experience with free individual activity kits where they will be guided through what a food chain or food web is. We will make this abstract concept more concrete by using the provided materials to build a food chain or food web with organisms native to our San Antonio River Watershed.

 

Freddie the Fish

Grade levels: K-2nd grades

Presentation duration: 30 minutes

Maximum group size: 25 students in person. We are happy to repeat this presentation for multiple classes within your grade level or subject area.

Description: Students will follow along as Freddie swims downstream and encounters obstacles along the way. Students will see the effects that non-point source pollution has on Freddie's home and the health of the ecosystem. They will be encouraged to identify creative solutions to these issues and will discover how they can make a difference and help Freddie and his friends today!

 

We look forward to inspiring your students to learn about and care for their local creeks and rivers!

We are full, but please keep in touch.
I understand this is not a field trip or classroom program request. With this form I am signing up for the River Authority’s education email list to be notified when the River Authority begins accepting program requests again.