STEM Stops
Our Saturday outdoor learning experiences are designed for families to explore, engage, learn and play! Find a program which may interest you and your child! Please check the Calendar of Events for dates and times.
• Date: Every Saturday
Participants will:
- • Gain a better understanding of what happens within an ecological community.
- • Explore what we can learn from nature’s structure and function.
- • Embark on a guided trail walk through our Tamaulipan Thorn Forest, discovering native flora and fauna.
Wonderous Wetland Functions
February 7
Everything in the natural world lives in relation to the other. This STEM Stops we’re exploring the presence of plants and their interactions with other organisms in an aquatic ecosystem, learning how functions like water filtering combats pollutants and the importance of biodiversity of microorganisms!
- • Learn what a wetland is and where water flows in the Rio Grande valley.
- • Discover microorganisms and plants that soak up nitrogen, phosphorous and other chemicals.
- • Observe microorganisms from Ruby Pond and what their presence says about biodiversity in an n aquatic habitat.
Beneficial Bugs
February 14
Living beings such as plants animals and bugs cause changes in the environment in which they live. While some changes are harmful, others are helpful to the ecosystem at large. Join us to explore the benefits of bugs and how they help keep our ecosystem’s balance.
- • Learn the land biomes in the RGV and insects that live in these biomes.
- • Discover how insects depend on plants and other animals around them.
- • Engage in designing a bug hotel to support crawling critters!
Urban Trees
February 21
On this exploration of urban ecosystems, visitors will understand the importance of trees in cities, how trees increase biodiversity and remove pollutants from the air!
- • Learn how trees control how gases enter their leaves as a way of adapting to a changing climate.
- • Discover deciduous trees of South Texas by identifying their leaves, bark, and distinct growth stages.
- • Observe the presence of pollutants on leaf surfaces in urban spaces compared with wooded spaces.
Coral Vine Charisma
February 28
What is an invasive species and which have been introduced to the Rio Grande Valley? Join us for Invasive Species Awareness week as we investigate the effects of introduced species on native habitat and share the importance of habitat restoration.
- • Discover the difference between invasive and native species and their effect on an ecosystem.
- • Practice stewardship with a QM naturalist and seed start wildflowers.
- • Engage in wildflower wildlife water coloring celebrating native flora exercise.
Show Your Support
Support Quinta Mazatlán by becoming a member, giving your time as a volunteer or a donation. Your gift helps us care for the conservation of plants, education for children & adults, programs for the community & the mission & goals of Quinta Mazatlán.