Quinta Mazatlan has developed environmental educational programming for specific grade levels during the school year. The programming is an extension of the classroom curriculum and meets TEKS Science and Social Studies objectives.
School Science Series 
Educational programs designed as an extension of the classroom curriculum.
Kindergarten: Sensing the Outdoor Sensations
1st Grade: Living and Non-Living Things
2nd Grade: My World of Science
3rd & 4th Grade: What Makes a Bird a Bird
5th Grade: Rockhounds
 Dates: Tuesday or Friday
Reservation: Call to reserve a date for your group
Field Trips
The purpose of the trip is to learn more about our unique habitat in south Texas by studying birds in relation to habitat and adaptations. Quinta Mazatlan is a historical Spanish Revival style adobe hacienda. The home is surrounded by lush tropical landscaping and native woodland which include winding trails and water stations for student exploration.
Our school programs accommodate up to 60 students at one time to help ensure that your needs come first and your educational experience is excellent.
Kindergarten
Sensing the Outdoor Sensations
Indoors
Students will use the five senses to learn about their world as they explore the body parts of animals, with emphasis on birds. Bird beak replicas and feathers will be used along with eggs, nests and hand lenses. Students will learn the basic needs of organisms for survival and will practice grouping living organisms and nonliving objects.
Outdoors
Students will engage in a sensory oriented trail walk where they will make predictions, observations, ask questions, utilize hand lenses, and use non-standard units of measurement to study outdoors. Students will be asked questions such as the following: What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? Can I measure it? What do I smell? |
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3rd Grade
Nature Detectives!
Indoors
Students will identify five native birds that live at Quinta Mazatlan and possibly their backyards at home. They will learn the characteristics of a bird and then focus on the adaptations of bird beaks. Materials such as feathers, nests, eggs, and bird beak replicas will be used.
Outdoors
Students will search for evidence of native Rio Grande Valley bird species by identifying components of habitat. Students will observe, predict, collect evidence, draw conclusions, make decisions and explain problems as they role play as nature detectives. |
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4th Grade
Exploring South Texas from Soil to Leaves
Indoors
Students will evaluate soil samples and explore moisture capacity, texture, color, smell, and organic matter in the soil. Students will use hand lenses and charts to closely evaluate and draw conclusions. Connections will be made to the interconnected web between soil, plants and animals.
Outdoors
Students will explore the South Texas Brushland physiographic area and examine components of this unique ecosystem. Students will investigate how this unique system supports migratory and resident birds, as well as how adaptations have allowed for their survival. |
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5th Grade
The Birding Beat
Indoors
Students will simulate food gathering by birds using various types of “beaks” and determine which beak type is adapted for each food source. Various stations will be set-up with tools, including a triple beam balance for measuring and predicting. Students will evaluate adaptations for survival based on results.
Outdoors
Students will role-play as ornithologists (scientists who study birds) while observing, describing, and analyzing adaptive characteristics of birds. Such observations will allow students to better understand how such traits results in a unique niche in an ecosystem. |
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| Field Trip Schedule |
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM (Rotation 1)
Students split into two groups, one reports to the indoor lab, while the other heads to the trails for the trail lesson. |
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM (Lunch)
Students (and teachers) get a short break to enjoy their sack lunch and drink brought by the school. |
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM (Rotation 2)
Both groups of students complete their second activity either in the lab or on the trail. |
NOTE: Please divide your group into two prior to arrival at Quinta Mazatlan in order to facilitate the above schedule. |
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Girl & Boy Scout Programs
Girl Scout Programs & Youth Groups
Girl Scout programs help children connect with nature and increase environmental awareness through education and hands-on activities.
Dates: Saturdays, 3 Hour Programs, please bring a snack
Reservation: Call to reserve a date for your troop
| Badges |
Badge: Eco-Explorer
Age: Try-Its for Brownie Girl Scouts (ages 6-8)
“Eco” is short for “Ecology”. Ecology is the study of how plants and animals live together in the environment. Have fun with special activities at Quinta Mazatlan as scout becomes an eco-explorer! |
Badge: Listening to the Past
Age: Try-Its for Brownie Girl Scouts (ages 6-8)
When you listen to the past, what will you hear? You will hear stories about how people used to live and what children did a long time ago. When you listen to people talk about their past, you are participating in oral history. Have fun with special activities including touring the historic home, skits, games and more. |
Badge: Earth Connections
Age:
Scouts will study the plants and animals-including people and their environment. Learn to adapt for survival and how the environment can be your friend. |
Badge: Wildlife
Age: Girl Scouts (ages 8-11)
From the Prickly Pear Cactus growing in the woods to the Plain Chachalacas living in the brush, wildlife can be found in almost any part of the Valley. Try your hand at observing and helping some of the wildlife that lives in your backyard. |
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Boy Scout Programs & Youth Groups
Boy Scout programs help children connect with nature and increase environmental awareness through education and hands-on activities.
Age: Programs designed for Cubs & Boy Scouts along with other groups
Dates/Time: Call to tailor a program for your troop or group
Fee: $5 per scout
Reservation: Required of troop in advance.
Merit Badge: Bird Study
The Boy Scouts will undergo a series of activities that will teach the Scouts about birds and bird watching. Lesson plans include some of the following activities: (1) Parts of a Bird (2) Identifying Birds and Sketching (3) Learning to Use Binoculars (center has binoculars for scouts) (4) Learning to Use a Bird Field Guide (center has field guides for scouts) (5) Spotting Birds with a Field Notebook and Checklist
(6) Build a Bird Feeder (7) Learning Bird Calls.
Frequently Asked Questions & Resources
When can I schedule a field trip?
You may schedule a field trip by calling at least one month prior to your desired visit. We recommend calling as soon as possible to ensure your reservation and to allow proper planning.
Who can I call for questions and reservations?
You may call and ask for the Supervisor of Environmental Education at 956-688-3370 to reserve your field trip.
How many students can I bring at one time?
We can accommodate up to 60 students at one time. Since most teachers prefer to bring the entire grade level, you might choose a couple of dates in order to accommodate all the children.
How much does it cost?
The educational trip is $3.75 per student. Teachers and parent volunteers will not be charged an entrance fee.
Is there a gift store for the children?
Quinta Mazatlan has a gift store with educational items for students. Time is set aside to take small groups to the store for purchases.
Should we bring volunteers to assist with the visit?
We request parent volunteers for the visit. They are important for maintaining focus and helping students stay on track. We suggest one adult per ten students. Kindergarten teachers may want to solicit more adults for additional supervision and assistance.
What are the rules and regulations for the students?
Students are expected to follow the same rules of the classroom. Even though our classroom may not have walls or a ceiling, we expect students to be good listeners, address teachers with respect, and fully participate in the activities. Along the trails, we ask that adults remain at the end of the line so we may ensure the safety of the students.
What should the students bring and wear?
Students should have a name tag BEFORE leaving school. (Please! This greatly improves our ability to communicate.) Please wear comfortable clothes. We recommend pants and sneakers. Water bottles and hats are also a good idea in warmer weather. Sunscreen or insect repellant will be needed; however, we ask that parents apply these products BEFORE leaving home. |
