All Aboard!! A Train Ride to the Southwest

Train Rules Be an active traveler – ask lots of questions! Don’t bother the other passengers – hold conversations after the train has arrived at it’s final stopping point! Raise your hand when you want to speak to the conductor, Miss Stern

The Whistle is Blowing!! We will now be departing the rolling hills of the Midwest. Off we go… Our first stop is one of the Wonders of the World. Do you know what it is??

The Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Interesting Facts The Grand Canyon was formed partly due to erosion. (wearing away of soil and rock) Many scientists think that the rushing water of the Colorado River helped dissolve and wear away the rock of the Grand Canyon. Rainwater also causes erosion. Wind plays a part in the canyon’s continued erosion as well.

Train Trivia Time! Would you expect wind erosion to create sharp or smooth edges on the rock walls of the Grand Canyon? Why? Was the canyon always as deep as it is today?

People of the Canyon The Pueblo peoples (Native Americans) still live in the canyon area today. They live in adobe, or mud brick, homes. John Wesley Powell named this natural wonder the “Grand Canyon.” In 1903, Theodore Roosevelt visited the Grand Canyon.

Fun Fact The Grand Canyon is about 277 miles long and about 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point. That is the height of four Sears Towers!!

Southwest Climate Let’s make some predictions... What do you think the climate of the Southwest region is like???

Adjectives to describe the climate A variety (or mixture) of climates can be found in the Southwest. Desert Arid – dry, but not a desert Hot, humid Humid and windy Thunderstorms, blizzards, tornadoes (in Oklahoma)

Meet a famous cactus… Saguaro A symbol of the Southwest

Saguaro Facts Arizona’s state flower Spreads its long, shallow roots to drink in the rainwater from the desert Can store enough water to stay alive through long, dry periods Provides shelter for animals Animals return the favor by eating insects that could hurt the cactus

Oil in the area By 1902, more than 500 Texas companies were doing business in Beaumont and other Texas towns. Oil is a natural resource, and it is nonrenewable. Anthony Lucas was an important mining engineer.

The Oil Process 1) Oil is pumped from the ground and sent to a refinery. 2) At a refinery, oil is heated so that it separates into different chemicals. 3) Groups of chemicals are made into products. Can you think of some products made from oil?

Products made from oil

Train Trivia Time! What effect did the discovery of oil have on Texas?

Technology Technology is important to the economy of the Southwest. Computers, radios, and calculators are produced in Texas! Albuquerque, Los Alamos, and Houston (important cities in the Southwest) all are important to technology.

Arrival!! We are now arriving in… Austin, Texas Enjoy the warm weather!