RIO HONDO — Santa Rosa ISD students recently headed to the outdoors as part of a special STEM science activity sponsored by the state Audubon Society and the SRISD Youth Leadership Program.
STEM is education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Students participated in four outdoor activities at the Adolph Thomae Park located at the Arroyo Colorado.
Students enjoyed a 45-minute paddle along the Arroyo Colorado as the Audubon Texas coastal warden, Larry Shriver shared the significance of the rivers’ biological function to the Laguna Madre.
Shriver manages and patrols the rookery islands of the lower Valley bay systems and told stories of Green Island, the safe haven nesting ground for colonial waterbirds.
Students were taught the vital function the river plays in bringing life giving water to the surrounding ecosystems as they observe birds flying overhead and feeding on the fish in the river.
In addition, students were shown their connection to this environment as they learned the same water that brings life support to the plants and animals they paddle around, also provides the local community with the water supply for surrounding cities.
Students received kayaking safety instructions from two ACA certified (American Canoe Association) instructors, Alberto Trevino and Javier Garcia.
Trevino is the afterschool project director for Santa Rosa and oversees the Youth Leadership Program funded by a Juvenile Justice Division grant for Santa Rosa.
This activity was one of many outdoor youth leadership development activities offered at the district.
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