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NPS - Walnut Canyon Field Trip

A 9th grade STEM lesson

Lynette Clark

6/10/2024

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Notes for teachers

This field trip lesson is done within a 2-hour period.

Students will use a worksheet that covers content about Walnut Canyon National Park. They will fill out the worksheet pertaining to information they discover during the hike into the canyon and during the visitor center video.

List of Materials

Clipboard
Lesson Worksheets for Walnut Canyon National Park
Writing utensil
Compass
Students all need to be in walking shoes and have plenty of water for the hike down into the canyon

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Arizona Science Standards

Earth & Space Science Standards:

HS.E1U1.13

Evaluate explanations and theories about the role of energy and matter in geologic changes over time.

HS+E.E1U1.6

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information of the theory of plate tectonics to explain the differences in age, structure, and composition of Earth’s crust.

HS+E.E1U1.7

Engage in argument from evidence of ancient Earth materials, meteorites, and other planetary surfaces to explain Earth’s formation and early history.

HS+E.E1U1.8

Develop and use models to illustrate how Earth's internal and surface processes operate over time to form, modify, and recycle continental and ocean floor features.

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Objective(s):

Today students will be able to:

See the evidence of and understand geologic time that has been studied during class time.

Comprehend the history and lifestyle of Native American tribes that lived in Walnut Canyon.

Make reference to various landmarks and their cardinal directions within and around the canyon.

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Agenda (120-180 minutes)

Walnut Canyon National Park Field Trip

Split into two groups:

Visitor center and overlook trail

Walnut Canyon Island Trail

Lunch at Walnut Canyon National Park

Leave Walnut Canyon National Park

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

How/where geologic time around us? How has it impacted the location people live a long time ago and today?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Arrive to Walnut Canyon National Park and divide the group into two groups.
Group one: Attend the visitor center to watch park video and view museum. Students will read ahead and answer questions on their worksheet. Next, this group will walk the Rim Trail on top to overview the plant life, and view the Island Trail from the top (include restroom and snack break during this time too). Students will have time to use Polaroid to take a selfie with a plant or canyon.
Group two: Hike down into Walnut Canyon National Monument - Island Trail. Students need to have walking shoes and water for this trail. Students will read ahead and answer questions on their worksheet. Geology, geologic time, and historic Native American cliff dwellings discussions will be reviewed with park ranger during this time.
When the group two Island Trail is complete, the two groups will swap and repeat the activities and worksheet questions. During both groups, students will reference various landmarks to the cardinal directions.
After both groups have done all the activities and trails, lunch will be along the Rim Trail picnic tables.
Leave Walnut Canyon National Park.

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Assessment

Worksheets will be reviewed by teacher.

Worksheets will be reviewed by students and teacher orally the next day (after the field trip).

Polaroid images will be reviewed by teacher while on the bus awaiting departure.

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Differentiation

Allow students to stay at the visitor center during both group rotations if they have a health hazard or Native American cultural observance and modify the worksheet for student.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students that did not turn in a permission form stayed in the classroom during the field trip. They completed a worksheet packet about Walnut Canyon National Park using sources from the National Park and other websites.

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