The Desert Studies Program is our series of innovative activities and lessons available to schools. These interactive programs enhance classroom field trips and provide important information about the desert ecosystem. The tours can be arranged for any age group from kindergarten to college and university students. Topics covered include general desert information and biomes, adaptations, ecosystem functions and conservation issues or can involve a specialized theme tour. See Sample tour below.

Students play an ecology-related game on the outdoor deck at the Interpretive Centre. (20 minutes)

Students are given a Scavenger Hunt worksheet and rules are explained. (10 minutes)

A guide takes students out onto the boardwalk and discusses desert adaptations, plant and animal identification, water cycles, and/or the teachers’ pre-arranged topic with the students. At the same time, students will check off the “found” items on their Scavenger Hunt sheet and answer the corresponding questions. (45 minutes)

Students have a chance to examine bugs, rocks, snake skins and other articles in the Interpretive trailer. (classes usually spend about 15 minutes here.)