Deserts: Land of Extremes

What You'll Learn

Deserts receive less than 25 centimeters of rain per year. Hot deserts have extreme daytime temperatures, while cold deserts like Antarctica are dry but freezing.

Key Words

climate
precipitation

Materials Needed

rocks
sand
clay
water

Safety First

Clean up spills immediately to prevent slipping.
Use materials only as directed in the experiment.
Keep small objects away from young children.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read and learn: Deserts receive less than 25 centimeters of rain per year. Hot deserts have extreme daytime temperatures, while cold deserts like Antarctica are dry but freezing.

Step 2 — Do

Conduct the experiment by following the instructions.

Step 3 — Observe

Note any unexpected results.

Step 4 — Record

Share your findings with the class or a partner.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is a watershed?