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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Part 2: The Disappearing Saguaros

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Part 2: The Disappearing Saguaros

A 5th grade STEM lesson

Alison Olcott

May 2025

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Notes for teachers

The is the second part of a two-part lesson.

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Part 1 Link

List of Materials

  • Computer with internet access
  • Article from Arizona Daily Star
  • Data from NOAA for graphing (link is in the slides) (Slide 16)
  • Paper
  • Pencils

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Standards

Arizona Science Standards:

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5.L4U3.11 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate evidence about how natural and human-caused changes to habitats or climate can impact populations.

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Arizona 5th Grade ELA Standards:

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5.RI.9 Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

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Standards

Arizona Math Standards:

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5.G.A.2 Represent real world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation

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Objectives:

  • Students will understand that the saguaro cacti are under stress and starting to die in Central and Southern Arizona.
  • Student will evaluate and analyze data related to the the conditions that might be causing the saguaros to die.
  • Students will begin making their own observations of Saguaros.

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Agenda

Lesson 3:

Slow Reveal Graphs (30-45 minutes)

Lesson 4:

Article from the Arizona Daily Star and multi-flow map (60-75 minutes)

Lesson 5:

Graphing and analyzing data (60 minutes)

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Learning Activity #3: Slow Reveal Graphs

  • What do you notice?
  • What do you wonder?
  • What do you think this graph is going to be about?

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2011-2040

1981-2010

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2011-2040

1981-2010

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Plant Hardiness Zones

1981-2010

Historical

Plant Hardiness Zones

2011-2040

Projected

2011-2040

1981-2010

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Plant Hardiness Zones

1981-2010

Historical

Plant Hardiness Zones

2011-2040

Projected

2011-2040

1981-2010

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Sensemaking Discussion

  • What do think is responsible for the difference in historical plant hardiness zones and projected plant hardiness zones?
  • How do you think this impacts what is happening to the Saguaro cacti?

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Learning Activity #4: Newspaper Article & Multi-Flow Map

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Learning Activity #5: Graphs!

  • Create three graphs representing the issues biologist think are impacting the saguaros higher mortality rates:
    • Number of Days over 100 degrees in Phoenix in July from 2019-2024
    • Average low temperatures in Phoenix in July 2019-2024
    • Average rainfall Phoenix in July 2019-2024

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Updated Graffiti Boards

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Saguaro Census

  • Download the iNaturalist app.
  • Visit plants already observed and report dead ones.
  • Find new observations.

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Saguaro Planting

  • Help establish new generations of saguaros in their natural habitat.
  • Help plant young saguaros under nurse plants.

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Assessment

Students can be assessed on their learning by evaluating their graphs and the final graffiti boards.

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Differentiation

  • Provide students with a pre-filled in x and y axis and have them plot the points.
  • Have students find other data they could graph that shows increase in temperatures.

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Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

  • Have students participate in the Saguaro Census (information provided).
  • Students can plant new saguaros.

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