Cactus Wheel

Submitted by smileadmin on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 02:39

Source Institution

  • Lawrence Hall of Science

Keywords

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Description

In this outdoor activity/field trip, learners explore the concept of population density. Using a simple hunt-and-walk technique, learners will count several kinds of desert plants and compare their population densities. This activity is designed for desert areas but can be adapted to other ecosystems. Also, check your local botanical gardens, they may have a desert plant section.

Quick Guide

  • Learning Time: 45 to 60 minutes
  • Estimated materials cost: $1 - $5 per group of students
  • Age Range: Ages 8 - 14
  • Resource Types:
  • Language: English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • pencils and paper
  • Action cards (in PDF)
  • data board with two sheets of paper
  • marking pen
  • metric ruler
  • pencil compass for drawing circles
  • large comb (if cholla cacti are present)
Subjects

Informal Categories

  • Nature and Environment
  • Outdoor Activity
  • Physical Activity

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Plants
    • Ecology
      • Populations
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Gathering Data
Audience

To use this activity learners need to

  • see
  • be mobile

Learning styles supported

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other

This resource is part of

By

OBIS, Lawrence Hall of Science

Rights

All Rights Reserved, The Regents of the University of California, ©1980

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Comments

keithbraafladt
This would be a good activity template
Submitted by keithbraafladt on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 10:28.
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It seems like this could be a nice model for all sorts of different geographic regions ( Jackpines in Mn for instance)