GRAND CANYON 2025 Notecatcher

Grand Canyon 2025 Notecatcher

(Lots of scientific evidence supports the idea that writing notes with a pencil or pen, as our ancestors did, and as our Human DNA prefers, may lead to 60% more retention and engagement.  This means we remember what we write down.)

1. Biologists are studying the Grand Canyon’s population of California Condors and they have found that Lead (Pb) is hurting them.  Where is the lead coming from?  How might lead be reducing birthrates and making Condor eggs brittle?  (Hint: think about hunting)

2. What should people know about the California Condor? (Gyps californianus)

3. Once I visited this Grand Canyon on a foggy, misty night.  A large animal approached me in the night, grunting and chasing a bit.  What invasive species was this?  (Hint:  think about tusks, read about invasive species.  Ask Ethan if you get stuck.)

4. Who was the architect and mastermind of the Desert Watchtower?

5. Consider the locally-sourced stone and steel framework.  What other buildings or structures could be built this way and what advantages are there in terms of building with 

stone like this?

6. Where do all of these visitors come from?  Please research to determine some of the main peoples from the USA and from the world who visit the Grand Canyon NP.

7. Please list the layers of the GRAND CANYON STRATA from oldest (deepest) to youngest (highest).  Bonus points if you can come up with an acrostic to help me and everyone else remember these layers of the “book of time.”

8. What have you noticed about the State of Arizona so far?  Please read to learn and share more about the good things about living in AZ.

9. Please find a good joke to learn and memorize.  Tell us all later.  Practice it…. Find a better one now and do it again.

10. What does Havasupai mean?  Who are the Havasupai people?

11. What does Tusayan mean?  What should we expect to see and learn at the Tusayan Museum?

12.  What should we know about the First Peoples of North America?  How did they get here?  When did they get here?

13.  “Hi, my name is Professor Know it All.  I have elbow patches on my jacket and tape around the bridge of my glasses.  Young kids should sit still and listen to everything I’ve learned because I’ve been here.  Been there done that you drippy little skibbidies!”

“Tell me ONE THING I’ve never heard about the Grand Canyon.  Surprise me.  I dare YOU!”

14.  Get your Junior Ranger Badge from the Rangers.  Meet a Ranger and tell me about their career path.  What changes have they seen since our new President took office?

15.  Meet someone from a different country.  If, for example, Shelby meets someone from Germany, that’s the only Germany that counts.  You have to meet a different country or State to get credit on this.  What did they tell you about themselves?  (STAY TOGETHER.  BE POLITE!)

16.  Please research and tell us about one species unique to the Grand Canyon.

17.  How was the GRAND CANYON Formed.  Share a geologic overview, please.

18. What are the other Wonders of the World and which is the most wonderful, in your opinion?  Natural Wonders of the World, that is.

19. Please share one road trip song for the playlist from the 1950s, 1960s 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s.

20. Share an “Oral History” and “CREATION MYTH” about the Grand Canyon.

21. Research and suggest a podcast we should listen to for half an hour on the drive.  Any subject is great.  Think about it and make a good call.

22.  Tell me about the Ravens.  How long have they been here?  How are they intelligent?  What should people know about the Corvid family of birds?

23.  How can you take this notecatcher and make it fun to share with younger kids when we get back to regular MTN School Summer?

24. Make a map of the GRAND CANYON or or our campsite/village.

1.  Write a letter to a friend.  Maybe the rough draft is here and then we can send some postcards this week.