Student Pages created in 2006 for the International Year Of The Desert
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Introduction Desert regions are often thought of as lifeless wastelands, nothing but sand with the occasional plants like cactus and date palms and, of course, camels. Actually sand covers less than 30% of the world's desert areas. In Australia there are many different desert landscapes, from stony desert covered with small pebbles called gibbers, grasslands, hills and gorges with bare rock, long sand dunes, dry lake beds and claypans. Many of the animals species found in the deserts are endangered, and many more have become extinct since white settlement. Even so, the desert is an ecosystem containing an astonishing variety of animal and plant life. Many species are extremely rare and seldom seen. These animals have survived in areas of very little rainfall with astounding behaviour that changes to adapt to the harsh environment.
Task Australia is a dry arid country with major desert regions that need to be carefully managed. Australian scientists need to find out information about the great desert environments of the world. As a scientist working for the Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), you are considered one of the smartest biome minds in Australia. You and a partner scientist will be assigned to a research team to travel to different deserts around the world to study the plants and animals that live there. After each team finishes their research, you will all meet back in Canberra to share your amazing discoveries with the Minister of the Environment, as well as your fellow scientists. Make sure your research is thoughtful and well organized, the Prime Minister might just sit in on your meeting with the Minister. In your research team of two members, both you you will take turns being both Animal Researchers (Mammalogist, Ornithologist, Herpetologist), Plant Researchers (Botanist) Geoscientists ( Physical Landscapes) and Climatologist (Climate). As a team, you will work together and as individuals as you complete your research. Together you and your partner will put together a presentation at the end of your research including information about the geography and climate of the desert that you traveled to and plant, animals and people that are found there. Together as a team, you will help our government become aware of how desert plants and animals from around the world interact as part of our unique environment So...get your passport in order, check your medical record, pack a toothbrush, its time to begin your journey!
Process You will be assigned to a research team of two scientists to study a major desert of the world. You both have an individual project to complete as well as working together on several topics to produce a website to display the information that you have found.
Group Assignment Together you will both report on the following: Geographical and physical aspects of the desert Map Climate Desert people
Individual Assignment In your research team you both have to report individually on the following topics. Each of you must choose a different animal and plant to include in your project Important Create an Inspiration map of 10 questions that you want to find out! Have a look at the data sheets. Things to consider food, adaptation, defence, habitat, ? Animal Researcher (Mammalogist, Ornithologist, Herpetologist) Data Sheet Word doc ( Right Click & Save Target As) Plant Researcher (Botantist) Data sheet
Data Sheet Word
doc ( Right Click & Save Target As)
Presentation: You and your partner will give a short presentation on your desert to your class and the best will be shown at assembly. Links http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jmresources/desert/year.html Great Worksheets http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/desert/desert.shtml http://www.edhelper.com/Deserts.htm Evaluation: Evaluation Rubrics ( Right Click & Save Target As)
Hallett Cove South Primary
School Thanks for visiting! Do you have any questions? Comments? E-mail to Darrin Briggs dbriggs@hcsps.sa.edu.au ICT Coordinator, Web Editor,
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