NewsDrop-Jan-Feb-2026

EAA EDUCATION OUTREACH CENTER

By: EAA EOC Staff

UNTIL NEXT YEAR…

NEW INTERNS

NEW FACES

2025 began with an exciting addition of our newest STEAM Outreach Educator, Elizabeth Gutierrez! Elizabeth has over 14 years of experience as an environmental educator.

Wall Wraps

TopoBox

As the fall semester started in August, we were thrilled to welcome 9 new interns, our largest cohort since opening in 2022! Students from UT San Antonio and Alamo Colleges joined us to support the EAA mission in various ways. With diverse academic pursuits ranging from environmental science to digital marketing and design, interns contributed to school programs, social media content, visitor data analysis, and more. There is always something happening at the EOC, and this dynamic group helped keep everything running smoothly!

As we wrap up an incredible year at the Education Outreach Center, we are grateful for the students, educators, partners, and community members who helped make 2025 our most impactful year yet. Each new visitor, program, exhibit, and team member contributed to our goal of inspiring curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding of the Edwards Aquifer. We look forward to building on this momentum in 2026 by creating even more Aquifer Ambassadors, innovative learning experiences, and community connections. Here’s to another year of growth, discovery, and excitement at the EOC! Thank you so much for being part of our journey!

Throughout the year, she has spearheaded multiple projects at the EOC to enhance the center’s impact. Some of those included adding new STEAM activities in the EOC’s education program, facilitating Project WET and WILD educator trainings, and so much more. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Elizabeth is no stranger to drought and the need to conserve water. She later moved to San Marcos, Texas to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Geography--Resource and Environmental Studies at Texas State University. As she completes her first year at the Edwards Aquifer Authority, her positive impact on the center is evident and deeply appreciated.

EOC sign

Weather Station Screen Weather Station Sensor

NEW EXHIBITS

Composting Poster

Gardening Tips Poster

2025 was an exciting year full of new developments and additions to the EOC! In the spring, our weather station, Birds of Texas poster, and TopoBox were installed as the first additions to the year. The weather station sensor , located in the native plant garden, collects real-time climate data including temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc. Visitors can view this data on the display screen to the left of the entrance and learn how daily weather patterns affect the surrounding environment. The TopoBox uses augmented reality software that is both colorful and interactive. The projections at your fingertips display elevation changes inside the box, allowing students to shape and reshape landforms in real time. It‘s a fun and unique way to bring topography and watersheds to life.

This summer, our DIY Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) bins and sensory tubs made a big splash as the newest thing to do! Our DIY science bins come with materials and instructions for an aquifer-related activity that guests can enjoy during their visit. These activities range from sorting recyclables to crafting Texas blind salamander figures. Moving outside the EOC, our sensory tubs provide younger visitors with engaging and exploratory fun. On one side of our entrance, we have chemistry-themed tubs filled with water, accompanied by test tubes, beakers, flasks, floating targets, pouring spouts, and more. On the other side of our entrance, lentil-filled tubs allow young learners to explore through play as they “plant” with flowerpots, fake flowers, and child friendly gardening tools. These activities help guests enjoy their natural surroundings, while engaging in meaningful and tactile learning.

The fall season brought another wave of exciting updates with fresh signage around the center. We unveiled a new EOC sign off Evans Road, making it easier for our guests to locate us! With a prominent banner, we’ve increased our entrance visibility for the local community and guests coming from all over town. Soon after, two more wall wraps were installed on the walls outside the EOC. Near the compost and garden exhibits, you can find our composting poster on the West-facing wall near the compost bin and bird blind. On the opposite side of the building near the Native Demonstration Garden, our new gardening tips poster brightens the space.

If you’re interested in becoming part of the EOC Volunteer Team, visit our website at eaaeoc.org under the “Donate” tab to learn more. We would love to have you join us!

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EOC Hours: The EOC is open Monday-Friday 8 AM - 5 PM. Admission is free.

Book your school field trip, group tour, or self-guided visit today at: eaaeoc.org

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