9.56 Grand Canyon Project Ideas

In this resource, you will find a collection of project ideas for your high school students to do on the Grand Canyon. Students will work individually and in groups to learn more about the natural wonder.

The Grand Canyon

One of the most visited National Parks in the United States and voted one of seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon is a sight to behold. If you’ve traveled to this National Park before, you know exactly what makes this geographic feature so magical. However, not everyone may have the opportunity to do this. In these projects, your students will be learning more about the details of what the Grand Canyon looks like, how it was made and specific features in the national park. Two of the projects will be completed individually and one will be a group project.

Grand Canyon: The Highlights (Group Project)

For this project, you will break your class into four groups representing the four main divisions of the Grand Canyon: North Rim, South Rim, Desert View Watchtower and river basin. Each group will create a presentation (poster or slide show, teacher preference) about their area. The poster or slide show should include the following information:

• Map showing the area within the broader Grand Canyon
• Detailed hand-drawn map of a specific area that highlights major things (historic features, tourist destinations) within section
• Primary geographic features
• Section’s importance in history
• Select three features of the area, for each feature include an image, title, and description of why this place matters
• Three question quiz about the information in their presentation

After creating the slide show or poster, the group will teach their section of the Grand Canyon to the class. At the end of the presentation, the group will give the rest of their classmates the quiz on their section. This will encourage students to pay attention and ensure they retain the most essential facts.

• Materials needed: poster board or technology (tablet or computer)

1. Main points:

The Grand Canyon, a Natural Wonder of the World, is divided into four main sections: North Rim, South Rim, Desert View Watchtower, and river basin. Students will learn about these areas through a group project, creating presentations that include maps, historical importance, and key features, followed by a quiz to reinforce learning.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What are the four main divisions of the Grand Canyon mentioned in the project?
• Contextual Analysis: Why is it important for students to learn about the different sections of the Grand Canyon?
• Thematic Analysis: What types of information should be included in the presentations about each section of the Grand Canyon?

3. Further Discussion:

• If you could visit any section of the Grand Canyon, which one would you choose and why?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "The four main divisions of the Grand Canyon: North Rim, South Rim, Desert View Watchtower, and river basin."
• Contextual Analysis: Learning about the different sections helps students understand the diversity and significance of the Grand Canyon’s geographical and historical features.
• Thematic Analysis: Presentations should include "Map showing the area within the broader Grand Canyon, Detailed hand-drawn map… Primary geographic features, Section’s importance in history, Select three features of the area… Three question quiz about the information in their presentation."

Trip Creation

For this project, students will plan a four-day trip to the Grand Canyon. Students may elect to stay in one area of the canyon the entire time or travel to different parts of the canyon. Students should utilize online resources to plan the trip. A great place to start is the National Park Service’s website on the Grand Canyon. Students will be turning in an itinerary for their trip that is broken down by day. For each day, students should include the following information

• Lodging
• Place(s) to eat
• Activities for the day with approximate time they will take
• A two paragraph reflection that describes why they picked the destinations and activities they did.

They should also explain the part of the trip they are most excited about and why. Allow several students to share their itineraries and reflections once all have finished.

• Materials needed: technology for research (tablet or computer)

Diorama

For this project, students will be creating a diorama of the Grand Canyon. Students should select one area of the canyon (North Rim, South Rim, Desert View or river basin) to focus on for their project. Using a shoe box, students will create a 3-D representation of this part of the canyon. Some of the work for this can be completed at home. Encourage students to be creative in the materials they use (such as clay, pipe cleaners, cotton balls, toothpicks, popsicle sticks, paint) and the details included. At a minimum, the dioramas should include a title that indicates the canyon section, four specific features of that canyon with labels, a description of two geographic features and four different elevation levels.

After completing their dioramas, students will write an informative description of their display that is approximately one single-spaced page in length.

• Materials needed: shoebox, art materials, technology for research

1. Main points:

The "Trip Creation" project involves students planning a four-day trip to the Grand Canyon, including lodging, meals, activities, and reflections, while the "Diorama" project requires creating a 3-D model of a specific canyon area, with detailed features and an informative description.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What are the key components of the itinerary students must create for the Trip Creation project?
• Contextual Analysis: How does creating a diorama help students understand the Grand Canyon’s geography?
• Thematic Analysis: What creative elements are encouraged in the Diorama project?

3. Further Discussion:

• If you were doing the Trip Creation project, what unique activity would you include in your itinerary and why?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: Students must include "Lodging, Place(s) to eat, Activities for the day with approximate time they will take, A two-paragraph reflection."
• Contextual Analysis: Creating a diorama allows students to explore and represent the physical features of the Grand Canyon, enhancing their understanding of its geography.
• Thematic Analysis: Students are encouraged to use "clay, pipe cleaners, cotton balls, toothpicks, popsicle sticks, paint" and include "a title, four specific features with labels, a description of two geographic features and four different elevation levels."