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Activity (Hands-On)Grades 9 - 12

Designing a Winning Guest Village in Saguaro National Park

This is an image of Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National ParkGuest Quarters in Yellowstone National Park

The Challenge Question of the Legacy Cycle draws students into considering the engineering ingenuity of nature. It forces them to analyze, appreciate and understand the wisdom of these designs as teams focus on meeting each of the challenge's requirements. Student groups are asked to envision a sustainable design for a future guest village within the Saguaro National Park, outside of Tucson, AZ. What issues need to be addressed to support the comforts of park visitors without compromising the natural resources or endangering the endemic species of the area? A deeper scope of application reveals extensions of this design in the incorporation of urban planning and systems design. It also strengthens the concept of manufacturing and building without producing waste or pollution.

This lesson introduces students to the engineering concept of sustainable design. In the course of their research and contemplation, they will have an opportunity to evaluate solar energy systems, transportation issues, heating and cooling systems, and water conservation. They will be forced to weigh the choice of building materials against manufacturing processes and insulation features. As they are introduced to the concepts of species and their successful adaptations, they will direct their research to desert species and look for clues for promoting comfort in this harsh environment. They will develop this village with an eye toward low impact and engineering marvel.

After this activity, students should be able to:

  • Apply their background knowledge to begin solving the challenge.
  • Define and explain the importance of sustainable design.
  • Explain the role biomimicry has for design implementation.
  • The importance of designing cities and manufacturing products in ways similar to natural systems. These are systems which minimize energy use and recycle all products into new, usable forms.

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