Subject(s) Science Social Studies Language Arts Objective(s) Students will display understanding of characteristics of extreme environments (Part I) and adaptations of organisms living in extreme environments (Part II). Material(s) Part I Heat source (burner) Water Spray bottle Pot Thermometer Lemon juice pH paper Part II Large sheets of paper Markers Background Extremophiles are life forms that inhabit extreme environments. In Yellowstone, microorganisms use the habitat provided by the thermal features. Because these areas can be very hot and have extremely high or low pH, the organisms must have special adaptations to survive the harsh conditions. Procedure Part I The instructor will 1. Have students to create a list of factors that might make an environment extreme such as temperature, pH, elevation (above or below sea level), amount of light, chemistry, etc. 2. Explain to students that the two factors of the Mud Volcano (Hayden Valley) environment that make it extreme are high temperature and low pH. 3. Boil a pot of water on a heat source. 4. Help students take and record temperature of boiling water. 5. Provide lemon juice, water, baking soda, and pH paper for students. 6. Help students take and record pH of lemon juice, water, and baking soda. (Spray a small amount of water onto a pH test strip on the baking soda.) 7. Lead a discussion about temperatures and pH’s found in the Mud Volcano habitat in Yellowstone. Part II The instructor will 1. Discuss background material with students. 2. Ask students to discuss similarities between extremophiles and superheroes. 3. Provide each student with a large sheet of paper and markers. 4. Explain that students will create their own extreme superheroes. 5. Explain that each superhero needs to live in an extreme environment of the student’s choosing. 6. Explain that the student should define adaptations the superhero has to be able to live in that environment. Assessment(s) Elements of poster National Science Standards for Grades 5-8 NS.5-8.1 NS.5-8.2 National Social Studies Standards for Grades K-12 NSS-G.K-12.2 NSS-G.K-12.3 National Language Arts Standards for Grades K-12 NL-ENG.K-12.6 NL-ENG.K-12.12 Funding for this trip was provided by Canon U.S.A., Inc., through The Yellowstone Park Foundation. Web server services are funded through generous grants to The Yellowstone Park Foundation. Home | Curricular Materials | Ask An Expert | Evaluation | Contact Us ©The Yellowstone Park Foundation 2003 Privacy Disclaimer | Freedom of Information Act