Educational / Field Trip Info

Interpretive Education Programs of the

Colorado River State Historic Park

(Formerly the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park)

 

History of the Army’s Yuma Depot (K-12)

The Yuma Quartermaster Depot served as an army supply depot between 1865 and 1883. Touring five original buildings of the depot, students learn the purpose of the site and its role in storing supplies for all the forts in Arizona Territory during the Indian Wars.  Depot buildings on the tour include the old Storehouse, the Quartermaster’s Office, the Water Reservoir, the Quartermaster’s House, and the Corral House.

K: Social Studies K.SP1.1, K.SP1.2, K.E2.1, K.E2.2,K.G1.2, K.G2.1; Science K.E1U1.3

1^st: Social Studies 1.SP.2, 1.SP3.1, 1.E2.1, 1.G2.1, 1.G3.1, 1.G3.2, 1.H1.1; Science 1.E1.U1.5

2^nd: Social Studies 2.SP1.2, 2.SP1.3, 2.G2.1, 2.G2.2, 2.G2.3; Science 2.E1U1.4, 2.E1U1.5, 2.E1U3.7

3^rd: Social Studies 3.SP1.2, 3.E1.1, 3.E2.1, 3.E2.2, 3.G2.1, 3.G3.1, 3.G4.1

4^th: Social Studies 4.SP1.2, 4.SP1.3, 4.G2.1, 4.G3.1

5^th: Social Studies 5.SP1.2, 5.G2.1, 5.G3.1, 5.G4.1; Science 5.L4U3.11

6^th: Social Studies 6.SP1.3, 6.SP1.4, 6.C4.1, 6.G3.2, 6.G4.2; Science 6.L2U3.11

7^th: Social Studies 7.SP1.3, 7.SP1.4, 7.SP4.1. 7.C4.3, 7.C4.4, 7.G2.1, 7.G3.2, 7.G4.3

8^th: Social Studies 8.SP1.3, 8.SP1.4, 8.SP4.1, 8.SP4.2, 8.C4.1, 8.G2.1, 8.G2.2, 8.H2.3; Science 8.E1U3.8

9^th-12^th: Social Studies HS.SP1.3, HS.SP4.1, HS.E2.1, HS.G2.1, HS.G2.2, HS.G2.3, HS.G2.4, HS.G3.3. HS.H3.1; Science HS.E1U3.14, HS.L2U3.18

 

Skull Detectives (K-8)

Many different species of animals populate the desert around Yuma and live along the banks of the Colorado River. The skull bones of these mammals tell us a lot about the animals themselves—including what type of food they eat, how big of an animal they are, their sense of smell, and whether or not they have good eyesight. Using the skulls of native animals of this area, students will become skull detectives and learn how to “read” information from the skulls.

K: Science K.P2U1.1, K.L1U1.6, K.L1U1.7

1^st: Science 1.L2U2.7, 1.L2U1.8, 1.L4U1.10

2^nd: Science 2.L2U1.10

3^rd: Science 3.L2U1.5, 3.L2U1.6

4^th: Science 4.L4U1.11

5^th: Science 5.L4U3.12, 5.L4U3.11

6^th: Science 6.L2U3.11, 6. L2U3.12, 6.L2U1.13, 6.L2U1.14

7^th: Science 7.L2U1.12

8^th: Science 8.L4U1.11, 8.L4U1.12

 

Emigrants of the Gold Rush (2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th)

After gold was discovered in California in 1848, thousands of emigrants followed the Southern Trail to Yuma on their way to the goldfields.  During this program, students will trace the route of the emigrants across the United States, discover the supplies brought for the long and arduous journey, and even pan for gold as the emigrants did!

2^nd: Social Studies 2.SP4.1, 2.SP4.2, 2.G1.1, 2.G3.1

3^rd: Social Studies 3.SP.2, 3.SP.1, 3.E1.1, 3.E2.2, 3.G1.1, 3.G3.1, 3.G4.1, 3.H1.1

5^th: Social Studies 5.SP1.1, 5.SP1.3, 5.SP4.2, 5.E2.1, 5.E3.1

 

An Army Soldier’s Life (3^rd, 4^th)

The heydey of the Yuma Quartermaster Depot was during the Indian Wars period of the 1870s.  When not on campaign, Army soldiers led a largely monotonous existence at their posts. By looking at the strict, daily routine of western soldiers in the 1870s, students will learn how the average army soldier spent much of their time during the Indian Wars period. Students will have the opportunity to explore the soldiers’ diet, drill in formation, learn bugle calls, and conduct fatigue duties.

3^rd: Social Studies 3.SP1.2 3.SP3.1, 3.G3.1, 3.G4.1, 3.H1.1

4^th: Social Studies 4.SP1.2, 4.SP1.3, 4.SP2.2, 4.SP3.1, 4.C1.1, 4.C2.1, 4.E3.2

 

Scheduling:  To schedule a program, please call Park Manager Tammy Snook at (928) 329-0471.  All programs cost $2/student and $4/adult.

 

Interpretive Education Programs for the

Yuma East Wetlands (YEW)

 

Eco-explorations (K-2): The YEW is home to a diverse array of native plants and animals.  Hiking through the YEW, students will become eco-explorers, using their various senses to examine the plants and animals of the YEW.  Students will be encouraged to explore the natural world by listening for bird calls, searching for animal prints in the mud, smelling a pungent marsh fleabane plant, and touching fluffy cottonwood and willow seeds.

K: Science K.P2.U1.1, K.L1U1.6, K.L1U1.7

1^st: Science 1.L2U2.7, 1.L2U1.8

2^nd: Science 2.E1U1.5, 2.L2U1.9

 

Wetlands Adaptations (3-4):  Wetlands are defined as an area that contains water-soaked soil, water tolerant plants, and water at or near the ground’s surface.  All that water can create challenging environmental conditions, including periodic flooding, saline soils and water, and a high degree of species competition.  Wetland plants and animals must be able to survive in these tough conditions.  On a guided hike through the YEW, students will explore plant and animal adaptations that allow species to thrive in these conditions.

3^rd: Science 3.L1U1.5

4^th: Science 4.E1U3.9, 4.L4U1.11

 

Water Quality Investigations (5-6):  The health of a body of water can be assessed through water quality testing.  During this program, students will investigate a number of water quality parameters, including temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen levels of Colorado River water.  The testing results will then be analyzed to determine factors that may be influencing these results, and the overall significance of the results. 

5^th: Science 5.L4U3.11

6^th: Science 6.L2U3.11, 6.L2U3.12

 

Wetlands Restoration (7-8):  Over time, the natural wetlands that historically bordered the Colorado River have disappeared.  Removal of the native cottonwood and willow forests, the construction of dams, and the introduction of invasive species all contributed to the disappearance of the wetlands.  Through the YEW restoration project, however, the historic wetlands environment has been recreated.  During this program, students will learn the story of the Colorado’s historic wetlands and the restoration of the YEW while participating in a guided bird hike.  Binoculars provided.

7^th: Social Studies 7.SP1.1, 7.SP1.2, 7.SP1.3, 7.SP1.4, 7.C4.3, 7.C4.4, 7.G3.3; Science 7.L1U1.11

8^th: Social Studies 8.SP1.2, 8.SP1.3, 8.SP1.4, 8.C1.4, 8.C2.1, 8.C4.1, 8.C4.3, 8.C4.5, 8.G2.1, 8.G2.2, 8.H2.3; Science 8.E1U3.8

 

 

Scheduling:  To schedule a program, please call Park Manager Tammy Snook at (928) 329-0471.  All programs cost $2/student and $4/adult.