Show your class the biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert with our paper model!
Deserts are harsh places to live. Teach your class about many of the animals and plants that live in the Sonoran Desert in southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
The Sonoran Desert is a hot desert which has great biodiversity. Predators and prey are in a constant struggle for survival in the hot, dry conditions. Plants have to defend themselves from herbivores and have evolved many ways to do so. It is the place where cacti evolved!
Our model shows how animals and plants are adapted to survive here, their interactions and how they depend upon one another for survival. Great to compare with our other ecosystem models!
Buy once, print forever!
First, your students make their model using the colourful parts. Then, they use it to look at how organisms are adapted to survive in a desert environment. Next, they learn about ecosystems, habitats, consumers and producers, food chains, food webs and energy pyramids for this ecosystem.
Includes full colour Powerpoint class presentation!
Plants and animals modelled include: coyote, mountain lion (cougar, puma), desert bighorn sheep, collared peccary (javelina), desert mule deer, antelope jackrabbit, Southern grasshopper mouse, cactus wren, Gila woodpecker, elf owl, collared lizard, desert blonde tarantula, yucca moth, tarantula hawk wasp, saguaro cactus, organ pipe cactus, teddy bear cholla, prickly pear, ocotillo, soap tree yucca, creosote bush, mesquite, brittle bush and more!
Takes between 30-60 minutes depending on the number of students making the model.
Dimensions: 48cm x 26cm x 25cm / 19in x 10.5in x 10in
Download includes: Colour and black-and-white templates, plus a classroom PowerPoint with background science and assembly instructions.
All you need: Paper, scissors and tape.
