Austin Youth River Watch (AYRW) provides hands-on learning experiences that connect students with nature while teaching them about environmental science and conservation. Our field trips and presentations are designed to be engaging, educational, and fun, ensuring that students leave with a deeper understanding of how human activity impacts natural systems and our water supply. Whether you’re exploring the great outdoors with us or bringing our expertise to your school, we tailor each experience to fit the needs of your students while aligning with 9th-12th grade TEKS standards.
We offer field trip programs free of charge to Title 1 schools.
- Non-Title I schools: $15 per student ($150 minimum fee).
- On-campus visits: Additional fee of $1 per mile traveled from 10611 Platt Lane.
Programming is available Tuesday through Friday (December, March and, April excluded). A minimum of one month’s notice is required for scheduling.
Read more about our programs down below!
Field Trips to AYRW Ecohouse
Students can visit our Ecohouse, located near Hornsby Bend, for an immersive environmental education experience. Groups can choose one of our two main activity options:
Main Activities:
Rivers & Reactions: Testing the Waters
Activity: Water Quality Testing
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Description: Students will take a guided walk on the Hornsby Bend nature trail, conduct water quality testing on the Colorado River, and then return to the Ecohouse for reflection and discussion.
Related TEKS: BIO.13.B, BIO.13.D, AQUA.8.B, AQUA.10.C, EARTH.9.D, ENVIR.5.D, ENVIR.6.B, ENVIR.10.D
Bug Hunters: Discovering River Life
Activity: Macroinvertebrate Sampling & Identification
Program Length: 2.5 hours
Description: Students will explore the Hornsby Bend nature trail, collect macroinvertebrates from the Colorado River, and analyze their findings under microscopes back at the Ecohouse.
Related TEKS: BIO.13.A, AQUA.7.E, AQUA.13.A, ENVIR.5.D
Optional Add-Ons:
Want to spend more time with us? For an additional $4 per student, you can choose one of the three Add-on activities listed below:
Trailblazers: Plant Detectives on the Move
Activity: Nature Identification Hike
Program Length: 1 hour
Description: Students will learn to identify common Central Texas plants along the Hornsby Bend nature trail.
Related TEKS: BIO.12.B, ENVIR.5.A, ENVIR.6.D
Eco Explorers: The Art of Treading Lightly
Activity: Leave No Trace Hike
Program Length: 45 minutes
Description: A guided hike introducing students to the seven Leave No Trace principles.
Watershed Wonders: How Water Shapes Our World
Activity: Watershed Table
Program Length: 30 minutes
Description: A hands-on activity using a physical model to demonstrate how water moves through Austin’s urban watershed.
Related TEKS: AQUA.10.B, EARTH.9.B, ENVIR.6.B
On-Campus Presentations
If traveling isn’t an option, we can bring the experience to your school! We offer six interactive presentations:
Creek Mysteries:
Testing Water in the Wild
Activity: Water Quality at a Local Creek
Program Length: 1.5 Hours
Description: AYRW staff will meet your class at a nearby creek to demonstrate real-world water quality testing. *Access to outdoor space required.
Related TEKS: BIO.13.B, BIO.13.D, AQUA.8.B, AQUA.10.C, EARTH.9.D, ENVIR.5.D, ENVIR.6.B, ENVIR.10.D
Liquid Science:
Testing Water Like a Pro
Activity: Water Quality Demo
Program Length: 1 hour 15 minutes
Description: A classroom-based demonstration of how we assess water quality using real water samples. Outdoor space is strongly encouraged.
Related TEKS: BIO.13.B, BIO.13.D, AQUA.8.B, AQUA.10.C, EARTH.9.D, ENVIR.5.D, ENVIR.6.B, ENVIR.10.D
Trash Takedown:
A Litter-Busting Challenge
Activity: Trash Cleanup & Survey
Program Length: 1.5 Hours
Description: Students participate in a hands-on litter clean-up and sorting activity.
*Access to outdoor space required.
Related TEKS: ENVIR.11.A, ENVIR.6.F
Raindrop Run:
The Journey of Water
Activity: Watershed Table
Program Length: 30 minutes
Description: Students use a physical model to explore how water moves through Austin’s watershed. Outdoor space is strongly encouraged.
Related TEKS: AQUA.10.B, EARTH.9.B, ENVIR.6.B
Garden Guardians:
Protecting Our Waterways
Activity: Rain Garden Maintenance
Program Length: 1 Hour
Description: If your school has a rain garden, we’ll teach students about its importance and guide them through basic maintenance.
*Outdoor space required.
Related TEKS: AQUA.10.B, ENVIR.11.B, ENVIR.6.B
Seedball Squad:
Planting for the Future
Activity: Native Seeds & Seedballs
Program Length: 45 minutes
Description: Students will learn about riparian native plants and create seed balls for habitat restoration.
*Access to outdoor space and running water required.
Related TEKS: ENVIR.11.B
Important Information
- Availability: Programs are offered Tuesday through Friday. We are not available in December, March, or April.
- Capacity: Our programs are intended for groups between 10 and 30 students. Please reach out if you have further questions about group size or would like to request reasonable accommodations for your students.
- Cost:
- Title 1 Schools: Field trips are completely free for Title I schools.
- Non-Title I schools: $15 per student ($150 minimum fee).
- On-campus visits: Additional fee of $1 per mile traveled from 10611 Platt Lane.
- Booking: Requests must be made at least one month in advance. Please have at least 3 options for possible field trip dates. Requested dates are not guaranteed, please wait for confirmation from a staff member via email.
- Payment: Our team will send you an invoice based on your program selection within a few days of booking your event. Payment is due in full at least 2 weeks prior to your scheduled field trip/presentation date via check.
- Cancellations: Must be made at least one week in advance for a full refund. Cancellations less than one week prior will forfeit a $70 administrative fee, and will be refunded the remaining amount.
For any other questions please email beth@riverwatchers.org
