Caleb Harris, Aquatic Education Specialist

Have you ever wanted a fun educational experience that engages learners, connects them with nature, and creates great connections to science, math, language arts and social studies? The Angler Education Program (AED) of Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) aims to connect Texans to the natural world by introducing them to fishing.  The program teaches skills to be successful in fishing, and teaches them to be safe, ethical and knowledgeable about aquatic resources.  For the future of our state, all people should be connected to and appreciate nature.  That connection can begin with the fishing.  AED is a part of municipal parks programs, state park programs, and various partner non-profit programs and of course, MANY public, private, and home schools.

AED helps create dynamic and cohesive groups.  Coaches and counselors have found that AED unites groups, enabling them to bond over a new activity.  In addition, AED is used as a beginning unit for high school competitive fishing teams and afterschool programs use AED as a way to diversify their programing.  Although AED can be taught on campus, schools with access to water resources can make an afternoon fishing event or club an asset to their students.   Many schools use AED as an end of the year outdoor field day event or as the perfect parent – teacher night activity.

Many schools incorporate AED directly into classroom curricula.  Agriculture and wildlife science classes incorporate hunter, boater, and angler education since recreational fishing is a major component of understanding and managing natural resources.  Many Texas schools have outdoor education as a specific curriculum and educate students about many outdoor sports such as kayaking, hiking, camping and of course fishing. 

Angler education activities can be correlated to science TEKS in almost every science grade and many social studies and math TEKS.  However you choose to incorporate Angler Education you can bet students and their parents will enjoy the experience and connection with the natural world.  

You may know about the fantastic and free curriculum, Texas Aquatic Science (TAS), you may know about the pilot program where 39 schools across the state are piloting and evaluating, you may be using this wonderful Aquatic Science resource in your classroom.  But did you know there is a growing number of zoos, aquariums, nature centers, State Parks and other informal science sites around Texas that are being certified to provide YOU with a facilitated field activity from Texas Aquatic Science?

It's true!  the unique nature of Texas Aquatic Science is its heavy emphasis on meaningful and engaging hands-on field and lab activities to teach aquatic science concepts.  TAS Certified Field Sites will facilitate those field activities for you, relieving you from having to find a location, obtain permission, purchase equipment and supplies, and lead the activity.  Trained field professionals will do that for you, enabling your students to enjoy a dynamic and engaging learning experience!  

Watch our website as additional Certified Field Sites are added weekly and find a site near you!  

This great Keep Texas Wild article and activity can add to your learning and teaching!  Aquatic plants and animals rely on us to ensure their water is clean and pure.  Find out the implications of pollution in the environment.

Print "Freddy the Fish" You may print and distribute this PDF of the article for classroom use.

Student Research Pages These Web pages are for your students with links to activities, video clips and related Web sites to guide students' research.

Background for Teachers Learn more about this topic.

Activities and Lesson Plans From discussion questions to fun activities, try these supplements to your curriculum to engage students.

Project WILD Activities Activities suited for this topic.

Vocabulary These definitions include a context sentence to aid understanding.

Please LIKE Conservation Education's Facebook page. It's a great resource where you'll find interesting posts about conservation, educational resources and ways you can be involved in protecting nature to conserve precious resources for future generations.  Find out how you can make a difference!