Dude, You Gotta Move

Student Work

A Problem-Based Learning Project about Ecosystems and Biomes Step 1 What do you know about biomes? Brainstorm your ideas.
What is a biome?

Name some biomes:

List some characteristics or facts that biomes have in common. (Hint: Consider how you would describe it to someone.) Example: Weather or Seasons (such as: rainy season, dry season, monsoon season, hurricane season, etc.) How the energy flows through a biome. (list the producers / consumers / decomposers that are common between our biome and other biomes around the world)

Dude, You Gotta Move

Group Work

A Problem-Based Learning Project about Ecosystems and Biomes Step 2 What do you need to find out about biomes? Research to find out.
(Working in a group? Put the initials of the person assigned to find the fact / info) What is a biome? List them.

Name the biomes missed in step 1: (You need to have all the biomes listed so you can divide the research between them.)

What information about individual biomes is important to choosing one for your town? (Be sure to include the different seasons biomes may experience that were listed in step 1 and other important factors that would affect your ability to live or survive within that biome.)

Dude, You Gotta Move

Group Work

A Problem-Based Learning Project about Ecosystems and Biomes Step 3 Facts to Include as You Decide on a New Biome
(Assign each of these facts to different group members to research.) Initials Weather or Seasons (such as: rainy season, dry season, monsoon season, hurricane season, etc.) How the energy flows through your biome. (list the producers / consumers / decomposers that are common between our biome and other biomes around the world) o Illustrate a food web from the new biome that you are moving to. (Be sure that the arrows in your food web are pointed the correct way! Research this if you dont know what the arrows within a food chain or food web represent.) Label the organisms on your food web (i.e. producer / primary consumer / secondary consumer / tertiary consumer / decomposer)

o Include the names of organisms that receive the most / least energy within your biome. What happens to the amount of energy as you move through the different organisms within your food web? Why does this happen? Threatened or endangered species within your new biome. o Why are these organisms threatened or endangered within your biome? Could any of the threats that affect these organisms affect humans? Will these threats play a role in your decision to move to this biome? What role does interdependence play between within plants and animals within your new biome? o What happens if a different ecological disaster happens within your new biome? Describe what would happen to your biome and the other organisms within it if one of the organisms within your biome experienced a sudden population drop.

Dude, You Gotta Move

Group Work

A Problem-Based Learning Project about Ecosystems and Biomes Step 4 Present your Project
Examples of Presentation Projects: A set of pamphlets about each biome A video or live commercial selling your biome choice A web site about the different biomes (using weebly) Report cards for each biome considered Posters on each biome Use various apps or programs within your presentation (such as Explain Everything / KidBlog / educreations / etc.) Create portions of this project by hand (drawings / posters) and then include pictures of them within your website / app. In the case of each project type - Be sure to explain your choice for your new home and explain why you preferred that biome.

Jobs
Assign the following roles within your group: 1. Team Leader provide leadership and direction for the team. Keeps the project on schedule. 2. Lead Researcher oversee research delegation and completion. Keep in mind that ALL group members are expected to do equal amounts of research. 3. Lead Producer oversee the production of your project. Keep in mind that ALL group members are expected to do an equal amount of work producing your project.

Dude, You Gotta Move

A Problem-Based Learning Project about Ecosystems and Biomes The Problem: The banner headline of your town's paper seems impossible. Local soil testing has discovered a serious problem. The soil of your community is heavily contaminated with a toxic chemical. The only answer is that everyone must move. "It's the Fukushima or Chernobyl all over again," your mom whispers to your dad. The government says they will pay to move everyone just once. You must all agree to go to the same new biome. The scientists think that a different biome from the one you live in will be your best chance to survive. Which biome do you think would be best?

Step 1 Step 2 -

Each member of the group identifies what they know about biomes. Identify what you need to learn about biomes. Be specific. Make a list. Assign the group member who is to find the answers/info.

Step 3 -

As a group - Discuss your findings on individual biomes. Decide on a new biome and list the reasons for its selection.

Step 4 -

Create a project / report to explain your choice and support its selection. Be sure to show the pros and cons of the biomes.