K-12 Programs
Teaching our future generations the importance of water resource management, water conservation, and environmental science is the key to ensuring that they are invested in the protection of our natural resources as adults. BCRAGD participates in many outreach programs in which we work with the local Independent School Districts, working with kids of all grade levels.
6th Grade Conservation Workshop
Annually the BCRAGD Education Team with the Nueces River Authority attends the 6th Grade Conservation Workshop hosted by the Bandera County Soil and Water Conservation District. 6th graders in Bandera County learn about various sources of pollution, including point and nonpoint source pollution, hazardous contaminants present in water, and the effects of these contaminants on humans and the environment. Students engage in laboratory experimentation by collecting water samples from the Ag Barn and conduct tests to determine water quality. Samples are tested for pH, chlorine, iron, copper, and total hardness.
Expanding Your Horizons
The Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) Network is a global platform that seeks to increase female participation in the fields of math and science (as a part of the STEM effort) by facilitating local conferences that inspire middle school and high school-aged girls in hands-on workshops. Schreiner University hosts EYH annually, and BCRAGD proudly sponsors and collaborates with its implementation. BCRAGD district staff facilitates an array of environmental and conservation hands-on experiments, activities and discussions. Topics include aquifer science, water conservation, water quality, and watersheds. For more event information, visit: http://www.schreiner.edu/eyh/
Water Resource Stewardship Program in Collaboration with Nueces River Authority
BCRAGD sponsors and co-facilitates the Nueces River Authority’s Water Resource Stewardship Education Program for 5th and 7th-grade students in Bandera County Schools. This program features presentations on water use, aquifers, groundwater, weathering, deposition, surface water, and watersheds. Students get to experience first hand how pollution moves through a river basin with the use of the Nueces River Basin 3-D model and see how water moves throughout the two different types of Aquifer systems.