Saguaro Nest Cavities

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
This activity (on page 3 of the PDF under GPS: Cactus Activity) is a full inquiry investigation into how some desert birds keep their cool. Learners will make four model Saguaro nests out of Styrofoam ice chests, insert thermometers in each one and position them in the sun, each facing a different direction. They monitor the temperatures over time and organize their data in a graph. Relates to linked video, DragonflyTV GPS: Cactus.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 7 days
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Model
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • (4) small Styrofoam ice chests with lids
  • compass to draw circles (or a 5-inch diameter lid and pencil)
  • X-acto knife
  • (4) thermometers
  • (4) 5 foot high posts or an approximately 5 foot tall wall or fence
  • stepstool (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Processes
      • Weather and Climate
    • Earth Structure
      • Biosphere
  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Plants
      • Animals
    • Ecology
      • Ecosystems
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
    • Measurement
  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
      • Heat and Temperature
    • Vibration and Waves
      • Light and Optics
    • Light and Optics
      • Sunlight and Color
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • About Inquiry
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Model Building
  • Nature and Environment
  • Outdoor Activity

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

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

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • DragonflyTV

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2006

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, 515566