Crossing America is heading to Everglades National Park! On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 1 pm ET, join us for a special LiveStream as we dive into the unique beauty of this extraordinary park with Ranger Yvette and Friends! 🎥✨

Get ready to explore the stunning landscapes, fascinating animals, and rich history of the Everglades. We’ll learn about the vital watershed that sustains this ecosystem, the cultural significance of the Everglades to the Indigenous peoples, and the ongoing efforts to protect this fragile environment. From alligators to the elusive Florida panther, the Everglades is teeming with life, and we can’t wait to share its wonders with you!

📚 We’ll also introduce an exciting Engineering Design Challenge: Can you design a system to restore and maintain a healthy watershed in a wetland environment like the Everglades? Your challenge is to create a model that demonstrates how water flows through the ecosystem, ensuring both clean water and the protection of wildlife. Think about how natural filtration works, how to prevent flooding, and how to maintain the balance between nature and human needs. Let’s see how you can engineer solutions that help preserve these precious wetlands!

We can’t wait to see YOU there for this incredible virtual adventure through one of America’s most iconic natural wonders!

You can register for this LiveStream below.

Register Here!

CLICK BELOW FOR THE ENGINEERING
​DESIGN CHALLENGE!

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Everglades Watershed: The River of Grass
Objective: Help students understand the unique watershed system of the Everglades and how it supports the ecosystem. 
Activity:

• Show students images of the Everglades and its vast wetlands.
• Explain how water flows through the Everglades watershed, from Lake Okeechobee down to Florida Bay.
• Provide students with data on water flow rates, rainfall, and how water management systems have changed the natural flow.
• Have students create diagrams or models showing how the water moves through the ecosystem and the importance of natural filtration by plants and wetlands.
• Discuss how changes in water flow have impacted the plants, animals, and human communities that rely on the Everglades. 

Discussion: How does water flow affect the Everglades ecosystem? What would happen if the water flow stopped or was heavily reduced? How can humans restore natural water flow while balancing the needs of agriculture and cities?

Everglades Wildlife: Adaptations to a Unique Ecosystem
Objective: Explore the unique wildlife that lives in the Everglades and how these species have adapted to the wetland environment. 
Activity:

• Show students images of key Everglades species, such as the American alligator, the Florida panther, and various bird species like the roseate spoonbill.
• Provide information about the habitat needs of each species and the specific adaptations they have for surviving in a wetland ecosystem.
• Have students compare the adaptations of Everglades animals to animals in different ecosystems, such as desert or forest animals.
• Create a chart comparing how different species in the Everglades have adapted to the unique conditions of the wetlands. 

Discussion: How have animals adapted to survive in the Everglades’ watery environment? What challenges do these species face due to changes in their habitat? How do conservation efforts help protect endangered species like the Florida panther?

The History of the Everglades: From Indigenous Cultures to Modern Conservation
Objective: Help students explore the history of the Everglades, focusing on Indigenous cultures and modern conservation efforts. 
Activity:

• Introduce students to the Indigenous peoples of the Everglades, such as the Miccosukee and Seminole tribes, and discuss their deep connection to the land.
• Show students a timeline of the Everglades, from the time of Indigenous habitation through the draining of the wetlands for agriculture to the current conservation movement.
• Have students research the history of the Everglades, including key figures like Marjory Stoneman Douglas and the efforts to protect the park.
• Ask students to create a timeline or map showing key events in the history of the Everglades. 

Discussion: How did Indigenous cultures shape their way of life around the Everglades ecosystem? What actions have been taken to protect the Everglades, and how have these efforts evolved over time? What challenges remain today in protecting this unique environment?​

Everglades Weather Patterns: Impact on the Ecosystem
Objective: Explore how weather patterns, particularly rainfall and hurricanes, impact the Everglades and its ecosystem. 
Activity:

• Show students data on the average rainfall in the Everglades and compare it to local rainfall in their area.
• Discuss how hurricanes and tropical storms affect the Everglades, including flooding, erosion, and habitat disruption.
• Have students create graphs comparing rainfall and storm data from the Everglades with their local weather patterns.
• Explore how the ecosystem recovers from hurricanes and the role that wetlands play in reducing storm impacts. 

Discussion: How do weather patterns like rainfall and hurricanes affect the Everglades ecosystem? How do plants and animals adapt to survive extreme weather? What role do wetlands play in protecting surrounding areas from flooding and storm damage?