Desert Ecology Scavenger Hunt

Have the students demonstrate a grasp of the biological concepts learned in class by locating and identifying these concepts in the desert environment around them.  This project can be done on a class field trip to a desert area, in a desert area around campus, if available, or as an extra credit project for students to do on their own. The desert scavenger hunt is a great activity for a school with a desert field nearby, or on a long field trip to a desert area, in which an assessed assignment is desired.

This may be most appropriate after studying desert ecology for a while so that students are familiar with all of the concepts.  The list of objects and concepts to be found is available to be printed as a worksheet, but may be modified so that it is appropriate for the class and location.  Questions pertaining to flowers and pollination my be appropriate only in the spring.  The teacher should also examine the place where students will perform this to ensure that all concepts can be found.

When students find the item that they are looking for, they should write down either the name of the plant/animal or a description if they are unable to identify it. If it is a situation such as species interaction or nurse plant association, they should describe the situation, such as what species are involved, what is happening, and/or where it is occurring. Several subjects are not self explanatory and students will have to apply knowledge that they have gained in class to identify it in the real world situation. 

Besides allowing students to identify concepts that they have been learning and show their understanding of the concepts, students are practicing an important aspect of science: observation.  With a scavenger hunt it is always interesting to see and hear how students interpret each question differently and what they notice. Having students share their discoveries will help them to see other students' views. 

Printable worksheet available (click here)
For explanations of topics, click on the highlighted words:

Nurse plant association
Species interaction
Adaptation to lack of water
Adaptation to heat
Sign that an animal has been there
A flowering plant
A succulent
A plant that uses insects or animals for pollination