Field Trips - Tucson Mountain District (West)

 

Students flatten themselves like hognose snakes to compete in the "animal olympics."

Sonoran Desert Superpowers

Grade K-1
AZ Standards: K.L1U1.6, K.L1U1.7, 1.L2U2.7, 1.L2U1.8

Encounter the super strength, speed, invisibility, healing powers, and mental agility of desert organisms. Assemble them all to build a team powerful enough to surmount any threat! This program includes games and activities to engage a young student's gross motor skills and natural affinity for the superhero story.

Available: October to March
Group Size: 60 students maximum

 

NPS Photo

Field Studies

Grade 2-3
AZ Standards: 3.L1U1.5, 3.L2U1.8

What do you think of when you consider a "field?" A big open grassy area? This field trip takes on the Sonoran Desert from multiple perspectives, including the "field of view" through a microscope and "fields of study" like ethnography. Get ready to think big, small, and everything in between.

Available late October to March
Group Size: 60 students maximum

 

Students observing petroglyphs at Signal Hill

NPS Photo

People of the Desert

Grade 3-5
AZ Standards: 4.SP1.2, 4.G1.1, 4.G2.1, 4.G4.1, 4.H1.1

This program explores the timeline of human history, heritage, and tradition that have contributed to today's rich cultural landscape. Students will explore technology of paleo and early agricultural civilizations, art from the thriving period known as the Hohokam era, community resources assembled by the O'odham and food traditions that begin on the desert landscape and now appear in kitchens across modern America.

Available late October to March
Group Size: 60 students maximum

 

Lost Carnivores

Grade 6-12
AZ Standards: 6-8.L2,L4U1-3.11-12 HS.L4U1

During this field trip, students will become citizen scientists in the field and collect data that will assist Park managers with a real-world problem. The field trip will investigate the declining population of small carnivores common in the Tucson Mountain District of the park. The kit fox, common raccoon, spotted skunk, hog-nosed skunk, and striped skunk have not been documented in the park since before the year 2000. It is hypothesized that small carnivores may be particularly at risk to declining population due to increasing urban sprawl in the areas surrounding the park. The Lost Carnivore Project is a joint effort between biologist and students to find out if the mammals are still in existence in the Tucson Mountains. Students will determine a location to set and check wildlife cameras in in our wilderness and sensitive resource corridor, gather data around the camera site, sketch and map the area, and will record notes about the site’s environment in a provided journal. Students will use a variety of tools to conduct their research including GPS units, cameras, and weather instruments. The off-trail hike through rugged terrain will not only provide an opportunity for them to make a personal connection to nature but will also expose them to Leave No Trace concepts.

Available: October to March
Group Size: 30 students maximum

 

Saguaro Survey

Grade 7-12
AZ Standards 7-8.L2,L4U1-3.11-12 HS.L4U1

The Park monitors saguaros through a Saguaro Census, a citizen science project conducted every 10 years. This curriculum-based program, with a focus on real, citizen science, will build on the Saguaro Census research program. Students will gather scientific data on saguaros that will benefit the Park’s long-term monitoring program, tie into a climate change research, and provide the student with a wilderness experience. Students will use a variety of including the GPS units, clinometers, digital cameras, and weather collecting instruments. The off-trail hike through rugged terrain will not only provide an opportunity for them to make a personal connection to nature, but will also expose them to Leave No Trace concepts. Classes are encouraged to have lunch in the picnic area after the program.

Available: October to March
Group Size: 30 students maximum

 

The "Other" Saguaro National Park

Looking for something on the east side of Tucson? Check out Field Trips - Rincon Mountain District (East)

 

 

Spring dates open December 1st

Book a Field Trip (January - March)