Texas Aquatic Science textbook
Texas Aquatic Science is an internationally-recognized suite of free technology-enhanced learning materials entirely available on-line or in traditional format that takes middle through high school science students through the wonderful world of water, from headwaters to oceans, and molecules to ecosystems. The curriculum is comprehensive, was open to review by all Texas science teachers while being developed, and has been the subject of research studies involving over 167 teachers and 4,500 students in school districts in Austin, Dallas, East Texas, Houston, Rio Grande Valley, and San Antonio. The curriculum has received international recognition, has been the subject of publications in peer reviewed journals and was featured at the 2017 World Water Congress.
The curriculum consists of an on-line (free) and printed textbook, an 800-page teachers guide and teaching materials, over 250 specially produced videos for on-line and classroom learning, interactive and on-line learning aids, multiple on-line partners hosting curriculum materials, and a network of over 65 certified outdoor learning centers located throughout Texas where teachers may take entire classes for outdoor learning linked to the curriculum through field experiences. The curriculum is fully correlated with Texas state education standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Teachers Guide – Texas Aquatic Science
Acknowledgements
The Texas Aquatic Science Project is a cooperative education effort sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife, The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. Texas Aquatic Science was modeled after the Missouri Department of Conservation‘s (MDC) curriculum, Conserving Missouri’s Aquatic Ecosystems.
Project Directors were Rudolph Rosen and Nancy Herron. Texas Aquatic Science was authored, adapted, and edited by Rudolph Rosen, Ph.D., who also designed the Texas Aquatic Science web site. Sandra Johnson, Ph.D. served as educational consultant and authored the accompanying Teacher Guide. Videos were produced by Randall Maxwell. Nancy Herron, Outreach and Education Director for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, provided leadership direction and review of the text and scripts, and Caleb Harris, TPWD aquatic education specialist, provided primary review of the educational content. Wes Tunnell, Ph.D., Associate Director of the Harte Research Institute provided special assistance on marine ecosystem science.
We wish to acknowledge the generous partnership of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), most specifically Mike Huffman, Regina Knauer, Jack Woodhead, Elaine Callaway, Melanie Carden-Jessen, and Mary Scott for their contribution, support for the project, and permission to use and adapt MDC text and materials in the production of Texas Aquatic Science.
Additional contributors and reviewers include Timothy Birdsong, David Bradsby, Lisa Brown, Valerie Bugh (larvalbug.com), Ron Coley, Luci Cook-Hildreth, Corpus Christi Caller Times, Kiki Corry, Shannon Davies, Kelly Drinnen, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Carolyn Chipman Evans, Chase Fountain, Stephan Magnelia, Dakus Geeslin, Mary Gomillion, Denise Gordon, Sharla Gutierrez, Jennifer Idol (the Underwater Designer), The In-Fisherman, Ron Kabele, Allison Knight, Gordon Linam, Cindy Loeffler, Stephan Magnelia, Jennifer Mandel Buratti, Karen Marks, Sam Massey, Randall Maxwell, Kevin Mayes, Captain Mike McBride, Larry McKinney, Heather Millar, Meredith Miller, Warren Pullich, Steve Quinn, Shelly Rosen, Margaret Russell, Olivia Sanchez, Andrew Sansom, Lindsay Sansom, Donna Shaver, Kris Shipman, Patt Sims, Cappy Smith, Lee Smith, Jessica Snyder, Greg Southard, Gail Sutton, Brenda Templeton, Travis Tidwell, Jace Tunnell, Emily Warren, Terry Wendland, Donna Work, Scott Yaich, and Brian Van Zee.
Special thanks go to funding partners, the Ewing Halsell Foundation, San Antonio and the Sport Fish Restoration Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The partners are committed to connecting young Texans to the natural world through inquiry based, experiential learning, and support of outdoor recreation and industries.
Texas Aquatic Science Curriculum Effectiveness Research
Texas Aquatic Science is an internationally-recognized suite of free technology-enhanced learning materials entirely available on-line or in traditional format that takes middle through high school science students through the wonderful world of water, from headwaters to oceans, and molecules to ecosystems. The curriculum is comprehensive, was open to review by all Texas science teachers while being developed, and has been the subject of research studies involving over 167 teachers and 4,500 students in school districts in Austin, Dallas, East Texas, Houston, Rio Grande Valley, and San Antonio. The curriculum has received international recognition, has been the subject of publications in peer reviewed journals, and was featured at the 2017 World Water Congress.
Effectiveness Research and Development – Texas Aquatic Science Project
Papers
Rosen, R.A. 2019. Water Education Leadership in Texas: Pathway for Students from Middle School to University Degree. Water Resources IMPACT 21(4):30-31. http://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/water_faculty/10
Rosen, R.A., L.A. Cifuentes, J. Fischer, H. Marquise, J. C. Tracy. 2018. Water Security for Texas: A Post-Secondary Education Pathway for the Water Workforce. Texas Water Journal 9(1):120-128. https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v9i1.7078
Rosen, R. A., E. Scanlon and J. Smith. 2016. Aquatic science education pathway from headwaters to ocean is a model for place-based experiential learning for protecting and stewarding Gulf states’ freshwater and marine resources. Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions 66:475–485. http://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/water_faculty/11
Presentations
Rosen, R.A. 2019. Water Security for Texas: A Water Education Pathway for the Next Generation of the Water Workforce. Presentation at the 2019 Texas Aquifer Conference, June 12, Austin, TX. https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/water_conferences/8
Rosen, R.A., E. Scanlon, and J. Smith. 2017. Future water stewardship and fact-based water policy: an aquatic science education pathway model. Proceedings of the XVIth International Water Resources Association World Water Congress. May 30, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Presentation: http://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/water_conferences/11
Rosen, R. A. and J. Smith. 2017. STEM Pathway for Aquatic Science: Experiential Learning In and Out of Classrooms. Presentation at the 10th Annual Texas STEM Conference, January 19-20, Dallas, TX. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12252.18564
Rosen, R.A. 2016. Marine/Aquatic Science Education and Integrating Formal and Informal Education and Outreach Opportunities: The Texas Aquatic Science Pathway. Global Marine Sustainability Symposium and Workshop, Marine Education Opportunities – Achieving the right mix: overseas students, in-country needs, and informal education and outreach. September 20, Oban, Scotland. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B4yltJzK0okMelh3Njgtb3FGZG8 Alternate: https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/water_conferences/12/
Non-Commercial/Educational Use Requirements – Texas Aquatic Science Project Materials
The information, drawings, photos and/or other content on this website can be used for “noncommercial and/or educational” purposes as long as they are not reproduced for sale or presented as original works. Credit lines must be maintained if already displayed on this website. Reproduced information that is utilized verbatim should be credited as follows: “Information courtesy of Texas Aquatic Science partners: Texas Parks and Wildlife, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, and the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.”
© Copyright 2013 by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University; and The Hart Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.