Dust Bowl Project:
Animal Factors
Carrying on from our investigations into how Dust Bowl conditions bring detrimental change to affected environments, the agents spent time looking at the consequences of such a change to Kent’s interdependent ecosystem.
Our aim was to demonstrate that the first signs of change to an environment can easily go unnoticed if we fail to take account of all the elements contained within a specific area, the destruction or demise of which, can often act as the catalyst for preventable catastrophe.
However, we are also aware that some of our agents struggle with issues, such as literalism, which can sometimes be a detrimental obstacle to appropriate learning experiences and as such, we are often forced to take a very …

Read all of “…and some sun…”

I can’t begin to write this posting without first offering a huge Thank-You to everyone at Roots & Shoots for our Gold Award. It helps that we are family based and that the agents who are able bodied do not appear to perceive other agents’ difficulties as a barrier to certain experiences. I think one of the greatest assets of the group is their willingness to adapt and accommodate the array of strategies we employ.

One of the …

Read all of Hi from the thawing North! – Highlands Mission Update!

This activity is about looking at what sort of animals live in dry, dusty environments, and what special adaptations or features they have that allow them to do so. The main things that students should take away from this activity are the differences between these animals and the ones that are native to their own local environments.

Download the Animals in Dry and Dusty Environments Activity

This activity is all about saving water. With proper management and regulated use of our reserves we can make sure that we will be able to cope with any shortages due to environmental changes.

Download the Water: Audits and Pledges Activity

The period of American history known as the Dustbowl took place during the 1930s. Exhaustive farming techniques with little or no crop rotation took its toll on the condition of soil in the American and Canadian prairie lands, in particular destroying the vast grasslands. When a period of severe drought occurred, the dry and exposed soil turned to dust and eroded easily, leading to a barren environment where the primarily farming communities of the time couldn’t grow any produce. The eroded soil dust turned the winds into great dust storms, and the farming communities had to migrate in huge numbers away from their homes and farms to find work and shelter so they could continue to support themselves.

A better …

Read all of History: The Dustbowl in America

Maintaining and protecting green spaces is vital. They provide shelter and refuge for bees and many other species in a world that is constantly being developed and exploited. Whether it’s a window box or corner of the sports field that’s not in use, by developing a wildlife friendly green space, pupils will be able to create a haven for animals and a great place to spot some beautiful native birds and insects.

Download the Plan and Plant a Wildlife Garden Activity

This document sets out eleven extra activity ideas that you could use that are linked in to the Dustbowl mission. Over time, we will be developing these ideas in to full activity sheets, but in the meantime we thought we would share them with you so you can use them straight away!

Download Dustbowl Extra Activity Ideas

Phenology is the study of Spring. In particular, it’s the recording and study of the first appearance of birds, animals, insects and plants in the spring. When things appear is affected by the climate, and so by studying if/how the first appearances have changed over time, we can see if current climate change is having an effect on wildlife. When things appear is important; lots of organisms are interdependent. For example, if warmer temperatures mean that birds appear earlier, but their food source hasn’t emerged, then they may not find food. These changes can affect lots of different organisms.

Download this Activity Sheet

The Dustbowl Teacher’s Notes gives full background on how Roots & Shoots: Mission Possible works, what has happened to make the future Dustbowl happen, and how best to use the activities.

Download the Dustbowl Teacher’s Notes

The mission briefing comic shows you the future as it might turn out without your help! Find out what happens when Chrono-Bot R00T5 travels to a strange and dusty desert world…

Preview the comic online, one frame at a time (available to everyone, opens in a new window)

Download the mission briefing comic for printing as handouts or to put on the wall as a poster (registered users only). This download is 5Mb in size, so may take a while to download.

Download the Dustbowl Teacher’s Notes