Students learning about the Ponderosa pine forest during an Eco Explorers program at Grand Canyon National Park.
For a detailed Eco Explorers lesson plan, click here. The lesson plan includes the Arizona State Teaching Standards addressed by the program.
If you are already scheduled for an Eco Explorers program, to print the program journal.
Program Overview
Using their senses of sight, touch, smell, and hearing, students explore the ecosystems of Grand Canyon. A variety of activities, games, and journal entries help students learn about plant and animal adaptations, living and non-living parts of an ecosystem, and interrelationships between the biotic and abiotic parts of ecosystems. Additionally, they will learn the role of national parks in protecting wildlife and plants. The program takes place in the forest, and along the rim of Grand Canyon, and ends with a quiet reflection activity on the rim.
Grade level: 3rd - 5th
Duration: 2.5 hours
Walking distance: 1.5 miles, moderate terrain, paved and dirt paths
Start time: 9:00 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.
