Curriculum Materials

In 2005, native seeds and cuttings were obtained from Rattlesnake Springs—a riparian area located in the park and considered an important bird area—and then were grown in the Chihuahuan Desert Lab greenhouse at Carlsbad High School.

NPS Photo

 

The activities found in these curricula are provided free of charge for educational purposes. Carlsbad Caverns holds no copyright information on any of the material offered. Should specific work need crediting, please contact the Education Office at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Age-appropriate for high school
The Chihuahuan Desert Lab (CDL) is a comprehensive program that includes a resource-based curriculum and provides opportunities for students to participate in resource monitoring and stewardship activities at Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks. Focus topics include water quality monitoring of human impact, cave swallows, reintroduction and monitoring of prairie dog populations, revegetation of Chihuahuan Desert grassland ecosystem, and geographical information and global positioning systems (GIS and GPS).

Our high school geology curriculum guide emphasizes the regional geology of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and cavern formation, it also provides a general overview of geologic history and processes. Lessons include field trip trips to the Permian strata and caverns in conjunction with hands-on, introductory college-style laboratories to provide background geologic concepts. A glossary, maps, photos, and additional resources are also provided.

Age-appropriate for middle school
Caves, Canyon, Cactus, and Critters is a curriculum guide designed to assist in teaching about geology. While geared toward the geology of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, background material is provided to make it applicable to other parts of the country as well. The curriculum is broken into six units focusing on the development of the Delaware Basin and Capitan Reef, plate tectonics, uplift and mountain building, the role of anaerobic bacteria in the formation of caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, weathering and erosion, and the origin of various cave formations.

Our ecology curriculum guide is designed to assist in teaching about certain aspects of life sciences, with information applicable anywhere in the country. Specific topics covered include the biosphere, soil, water and fire.

Our biology curriculum guide explores plant and animal life sciences. It focuses on the similarities and differences in plant and animal cell structure, the basic parts and functions of plants, leaves, and flowers, animal classification, and animal adaptations for life in the desert.

Age-appropriate for elementary school
About Bats, Caves, & Deserts is an elementary curriculum guide for teachers which gives basic background information on the aforementioned topics, followed by supplemental activities to enrich each unit. Background information is provided on a variety of park themes. Activities relating to history, geology, bats, animals, plants, fire, and stewardship are included.