Desert Survival – Students will learn basic survival skills such as; (1) constructing a shelter, (2) basic first aid; and (3) signaling. This lesson incorporates team building activities and critical thinking.

Mammals! - This lesson provides students with the tools necessary to identify mammals by understanding their traits. This lesson uses mammal skulls and hides. By exploring animal adaptations, students will recognize how to identify wildlife from their bones.

Nature Walk & Habitat Investigation -This is our signature lesson! Walk with a naturalist and explore the signs of life at the Oasis. This is an opportunity for students to learn how to look for wildlife, even when they are hiding. Tracks, scat and owl pellets are just a few of the fun finds on this walk. This lesson can be modified for all grade levels. 

Aquatic Insects & Water Quality- This lesson will have students looking for and identifying aquatic insects and animals that live in the Oasis ponds. Students will learn about the water quality based on the type of insects collected. This lesson is most effective in the warmer months. During the water quality portion of this lesson students collect, analyze and interpret water quality data to model the process of water quality monitoring.

Owl Pellet Dissection – Students will (1) analyze owl pellets and reconstruct skeletons of prey animas; (2) construct a simple food chain; and (3) identify trophic levels associated with the organisms in the food chain.  

Rocks, Minerals and Erosion (FULL DAY)– Through observation, comparison and evaluation, student will identify and explain 3 different types of rocks and how they are formed. By using a simple scratch test, students will determine the relative hardness of an unknown mineral based on their properties!  (Depending on class size, geodes may be available for students).

Predator & Prey - Students will (1) describe adaptations related to predator and prey relationships; (2) explain the importance of adaptations in predator and prey relationships; and (3) describe how predator and prey relations limit wildlife populations.  This is a Project WILD lesson. 

The Incredible Journey (Water Cycle) – With the roll of the die, students simulate the movement of water within the water cycle. Role-playing a water molecule helps students to conceptualize the water cycle as more than a predictable two-dimensional path. During this lesson, students will make a water cycle bracelet to portray their journey. This is a Project WET activity. 

Nature Art - Art is the creation of images and structures using natural settings. Students will develop a landscape painting using paints to display the beauty of the natural world around us. Students will make scientific observations in the desert environment.