• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Kids Events in Austin this Weekend
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Austin Reptile Shows Enters After School Enrichment Arena

February 20, 2013 by Guest Blogger 6 Comments

Austin Reptile Shows Teaches Elementary Students

Austin Reptile Shows’ Michael Foux teaches school children with Titus the Tortoise on the floor

This guest blog post is by Michael Foux.

The final school bell rings. Minutes later, children start arriving in the science lab. They scan the room, faces beaming with wonder.

A man wearing a t-shirt that reads “Keep Austin Scaly” invites them to take a seat near a table holding a number of plain brown plastic totes. Except these totes have dozens of air holes drilled in their sides. This is what the kids are here to see. This is Discovering Reptiles!

“Are those the reptiles?” they ask. Yes, indeed. Those are the reptiles. The next hour is spent discussing what reptiles are: scaly, cold-blooded, air-breathing vertebrates, most of whom lay eggs.

The dry erase board is filled with lists of characteristics and examples of reptiles. But this is where the similarity to a regular classroom lesson ends. One by one, Michael Foux – or Mr. Mike as the children call him – lifts live snakes, lizards and turtles from the totes and uses them to illuminate characteristics and facts about these creatures that predate the dinosaurs. Mr. Mike carries the reptiles around the room…and the children get to touch them.

Kids with a Snake at Austin Reptile Shows

The children will learn more and see different reptiles the following week. And the week after that, and the week after that.  The four-part Discovering Reptiles class includes lessons on ecology and conservation of reptiles, their usefulness to humans, adaptations that reptiles use to survive, even the ins-and outs of keeping reptiles as pets. Videos, pictures, handouts and activities are all used to support the lessons. But the live reptiles are the real stars of this program.

It Started With Class

Austin Reptile Shows, the husband and wife team behind Discovering Reptiles, was born in the classroom of Michael’s wife, Christie, a second grade teacher in Round Rock Independent School District. Christie asked Michael to bring in a few reptiles for an animal unit, and together they created a short TEKS-based presentation.

Eventually, the presentations spread to other classes, then to other schools. Birthday parties and other events soon followed.

Michael Foux Talks to Kids About Reptiles in Austin

“We wanted to reach as many people as possible,” Michael said. Fast forward a few years. Austin Reptile Shows had spread their own brand of reptile edutainment all around the Austin area – and beyond – performing in several school districts, libraries, scout groups and other organizations. They worked with the ASPIRE after school program in Round Rock ISD, 4-H Capital and YMCA.

Beyond the Reptile Show

Despite all the in-class and after school programs, all the birthday parties and all the events, something was still missing. Enthusiastic children wanted more than would fit in an hour-long program. The idea for Discovering Reptiles was born.

“We felt there was a niche in after school enrichment programming that needed to be filled,” said Michael. “Children had the opportunity to attend classes on science, robotics, cooking, karate, golf and so many more. But there were few, if any, enrichment classes that gave children the chance to interact with live animals.” Michael and Christie went to work reorganizing and adding content.

Creating the class turned out to be the easy part. “We had to propose the idea to schools and find the right channels,” said Michael. “It took about a year to get our foot in the door.”

The first Discovering Reptiles class was held at Leander ISD’s River Place Elementary in the spring of 2012. Sixteen children attended the class, which received high marks on the district’s follow-up survey. The class has since been offered at nineteen more Leander ISD schools and is expected to be on Round Rock ISD campuses for summer 2013 classes.

A Student and Teacher Enjoy Holding Reptiles Through Austin Reptile Shows

The Future

Big plans for Austin Reptile Shows and the Discovering Reptiles enrichment class include offering the program at as many schools as possible in other school districts.

With so many species on the brink of extinction, knowledge about the world around us is more important than ever. And reptiles, being so often misunderstood or outright hated, are often forgotten victims. Discovering Reptiles is one more piece in a larger puzzle to instill in children a fascination for these amazing creatures.

Learn More About Austin Reptile Shows

Find out more about Discovering Reptiles and Austin Reptile Shows’ other programs at AustinReptileShows.com and on Facebook.

You can meet the Austin Reptile Shows team at a number of public events in 2013, including several library summer reading programs and the Austin Pet Expo on August 3, 2013. Austin Reptile Shows will be at the “Tell Me a Story” family event at Ft. Hood on February 28th, Wimberley Village Library on June 20th, and Leander Public Library on June 25th. More summer library programs will be announced soon.

Discovering Reptiles After School Program

Michael Foux is a lifelong lover of reptiles and put his career as a graphic designer on hold to educate the public about reptiles. Christie Foux teaches second grade at Caraway Elementary School and helps create content for the reptile programs.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Guest Blogger
Guest Blogger
Guest Blogger
Latest posts by Guest Blogger (see all)
  • Best Austin Restaurants With a View – 8 Most Scenic Places to Eat - October 8, 2022
  • 7 Best Austin Restaurants With a View: Most Scenic Places to Eat - October 21, 2021
  • DipDipDip Tatsu-ya Is Making Austin Go Wild Over Shabu Shabu - January 27, 2020

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Comments

  1. Michael Foux says

    February 20, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    Thanks for featuring us again and helping us spread the word about the wonder of reptiles!

    Log in to Reply
    • Brittany Highland says

      February 21, 2013 at 8:10 am

      @facebook-772800781:disqus, having been to one of your sessions myself, I know how much fun (and how educationally valuable) they are! Glad to keep up with what you’re doing, and hope many Austin-area children are able to experience your new program over the next few years and beyond.

      Log in to Reply
  2. Todd Hughes says

    April 2, 2013 at 9:58 am

    What a terrific way to spread the word about herps! (reptiles and amphibians) I hope this expands beyond Austin someday soon!

    Log in to Reply
    • Michael Foux says

      April 2, 2013 at 8:25 pm

      Oh, Todd, I am working day and night to make that a reality.

      Log in to Reply
  3. dthandyman says

    January 11, 2015 at 12:43 pm

    I was wondering if I could use one of your pictures on a USARK raffle sign. Please contact me at dthandyman@hotmail.com

    Log in to Reply
    • Brittany Highland says

      January 12, 2015 at 7:59 am

      Just sent you an email, @dthandyman.

      Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Popular Right Now

4th of July Fireworks Austin

Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in Austin (2025)

4th of July Deals Austin

Best 4th of July 2025 Deals Austin: Dining, Retail & More

What's Open on 4th of July Austin

What’s Open on the 4th of July in Austin (2025)

4th of July Events Austin

4th of July Events in Austin Area 2025 | Parades, Live Music & Family Fun

Recent Posts

  • Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of July 4 Include Star Spangled Fest, Divine Carnival: Reimagining the Odyssey, and More!
  • Top Kids Events in Austin July 4 – July 6 include Star Spangled Fest, Kids Day, and More!
  • Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in Austin (2025)
  • Best 4th of July 2025 Deals Austin: Dining, Retail & More
  • What’s Open on the 4th of July in Austin (2025)

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in