Introduction

This webcast was originally broadcast live from within Longhorn Cavern State Park, where we'll meet cave and bat experts who study the geology and life present in these hidden worlds. (Some of our experts are recognized internationally!) We'll help your students explore and appreciate of the amazing world of caves. For example, did you know that your life is affected by caves every single day? Every half hour we'll explore some aspects of these topics:

• Cave Geology – types of caves and how they are formed; Texas caves; speleothems; karst systems; role of caves in water supplies; how water flows in caves; human uses of caves, threats and conservation (relationship between surface and subsurface).
• Exploring Caves – what it's like to go caving, clues cavers use, equipment cavers use and cave etiquette, research on caves, cave mapping, our experts' "mosts" – fun, exciting, scary experiences in caves; cave rescues; cave conservation efforts.
• Cave Life – troglobites, troglophiles, and troglozines, reptiles and amphibians, animal adaptations, cave food chains.
• Bats – common myths about bats, the role of bats, types of bats in Texas, Bat Conservation International, the physiology of a bat, habitats, behavior and research on bats.
• Longhorn Caverns – features of this cavern; its history; the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps and visiting Longhorn Caverns.
• Game Show and Opinion Poll – each half hour we’ll treat students to a light–hearted trivia game, silly but related stunts for our "studio contestants" and an opinion poll for your students.
• Moderated chatroom for your students' questions. If you have a topical question for one of our speakers, be sure to email us at least two days before the webcast, and include the name of your school. When possible, we try to read questions from the students live on the broadcast, so get those thoughtful questions in early to: adventure@tpwd.state.tx.us

Some of our guests will be:

• Dr. George Veni, an internationally recognized hydrologist specializing in caves and karst terrains.
• Julie Jenkins, Vice-president of the Texas Cave Management Association.
• Mike Quinn, Pat Morton, and George Kegley
• TPWD Biologists
• Bat Conservation International representatives