Desert Water Keepers

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In this outdoor, sunny day activity, learners experiment with paper leaf models to discover how some desert plants conserve water. Learners explore adaptations of various desert plants such as waxy coatings, thick stems, and spines and fine hairs to see which characteristics best help a plant hold water. Learners compare their model leaves to real desert leaves if they are available. Even in a nondesert region, the activity can be done at a local botanical garden that may include a desert plant collection or in any hot, dry area.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 18
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Field Trip, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model, Simulation
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • plastic coffee stirrers (double-straw type)
  • plstic bags
  • 40-cm pieces of string
  • piece of flagging
  • 1 cup of water (200 ml) colored with red, green, or blue food coloring
  • 1 small bucket or basin of water
  • several medicine droppers
  • several crayons
  • masking or transparent tape
  • stapler
  • extra plastic bags and string
  • data boad
  • marking pen
  • metric ruler
  • large comb (optional)
  • Desert Leaf Models Technique Card (page 5 of PDF)
  • Desert Leaf Patterns card (page 6 of PDF)
  • blotter paper sheets
  • scissors
  • plastic drinking straws
  • balls of clay
  • tape

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Plants
    • Ecology
      • Ecosystems
    • Evolution
      • Evidence for Evolution
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Gardening
  • Nature and Environment
  • Outdoor Activity
  • Physical Activity

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • read
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

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

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, The Regents of the University of California, 1980