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Online Biome Exploration
Online Biome Exploration
Researching, Creating, and Presenting a Biome
PowerPoint
OBJECTIVE
Students will research, create and present a PowerPoint presentation on a particular biome, focusing on
climate, floral and faunal adaptations, ecological interactions, interesting facts, and human impact.
T E A C H E R
P A G E S
LEVEL
Middle Grades: Life Science
NATIONAL STANDARDS
UCP.2, C.4, C.5, E.1, F.3, F.4, F.5, F.6
TEKS
6.8(C), 6.12(C)
7.2(E), 7.12(C), 7.14(C)
8.2(E), 8.6(A), 8.14(B)
IPC 2(C), 2(D)
CONNECTIONS TO AP
AP Biology:
AP Environmental Science: I Scientific Analysis, II; II Interdependence of Earth’s Systems:
Fundamental Principles and Concepts, D. The Biosphere
TIME FRAME
5 class periods of 50 minutes each
MATERIALS
(For a class of 27 working in groups of 3)
9 computers with Internet access
Microsoft PowerPoint software on computers
TEACHER NOTES
Online Biome Exploration is designed to be a group research project on the components of a biome. It
will incorporate technology through internet usage and PowerPoint construction. Students will also
present their PowerPoint presentation to their peers.
A night or two before the project is to be started in class, divide the students into groups of 3. Have
groups randomly select a biome (as described below). As a home work assignment that night, instruct
the students to check out a book or find a magazine article on their assigned biome. It is important for
students to find some non-internet sources of information so that students who are not using the
computer can have research material. You may also wish to pull the relevant books from your school
library to have available in your classroom.
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To randomize the assignment of biomes, print the included list of biomes and cut the paper into strips.
Fold the strips into tiny squares and put the squares into a container of some type and have each group
select a strip of paper. The group will then be responsible for that biome.
T E A C H E R
Here is a list of biomes that have information readily available.
• tundra
• coniferous forest (a.k.a. boreal forest, a.k.a. taiga)
• deciduous forest
• grassland
• Antarctica
• desert
• tropical rainforest
• temperate rainforest
• freshwater wetland: (student must choose bog, marsh or swamp)
• estuaries (a.k.a. coastal wetland, a.k.a. saltwater wetland, a.k.a. tidal pools)
• abyssal zone
• coral reef (a.k.a. neritic zone)
• stream/river
• pond/lake
A note on Internet searching:
Many teachers and students may have felt frustration when presented with finding specific information
on the Internet. Google has a very useful set of help files found at http://www.google.com/help. As a
teacher it is worth visiting and reviewing. You may wish to present this information to your students or
have students review this page on their own. Especially worth noting is the “Basics of Search” link. All
the basics of searching are presented here. The links for “Interpreting Results” and the “Advanced
Search Tips” links are also worth reading. Taking 15 minutes to read through these three pages will
save hours of frustration for both you and your students.
Once you are ready to begin creating the PowerPoint presentation, it is assumed that all students have a
basic understanding of creating a PowerPoint presentation. This lesson is designed to serve as an
application of PowerPoint rather than as a starting point for creating a PowerPoint.
PowerPoint presentations are a tool for presenting basic information and act as a visual tool to enhance a
verbal presentation. Each slide in a PowerPoint should not be a paragraph of text but rather a bulleted
list of phrases that summarize the information that is being orally presented. You will need to
emphasize this point over and over to students as they are creating their Power Points. Students will
tend to be extremely verbose and overly detailed on each slide. As well, students will want to spend all
their time finding pictures as opposed to concentrating on text and content. It is plausible to require that
students find the entire content first and then insert the required pictures at a later time.
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P A G E S
There is a wealth of information online, accessible through the search engine Google found at
http://www.google.com. Students search from Google and sift through this wealth of information to
find specific information for their biome.
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Online Biome Exploration
The following PowerPoint tips can be presented to students either orally or through a PowerPoint of
your own.
PowerPoint Tips
Organize Your Information
• Keep information short and to the point.
• Don’t put too much information on one slide: no more than 6 bullets per slide and no more than 6
words per bullet is a good rule of thumb
• Remember to use metric measurements.
T E A C H E R
P A G E S
Keep Things Visually Pleasing
• Make sure text is very visible and contrasts against the background
• Do not over use animated effects as this can be annoying
General Reminders
• Use your time wisely.
• Concentrate on research first, beautification (and pictures) later.
• Make sure all your power point slides are saved together in one file.
Once students begin researching, it is a good idea to get an inexpensive egg timer or some other device
with an alarm to keep track of 15 minute time intervals. Each student should have 15 minutes to
conduct research on the internet. The other two students in the group should be conducting their
research with the library books and magazines available. Keeping the computer time limited to 15
minutes helps the student on the Internet stay focused.
It is recommended that you take 3 class periods for research and PowerPoint construction and another
1-2 periods for student presentations. You may find it necessary to adjust this time frame given your
individual computer accessibility and/or student load.
To ensure student attentiveness during the presentations you may wish to have students take notes in
preparation for a quiz or other graded event. You might find it helpful to standardize these notes by
having each student create a table like the one below for recording notes as each group presents.
Biome
General
Climate
General
Info
Faunal
Adaptations
Floral
Adaptations
Human
Impact
Interesting
Facts
Desert
Grassland
It is also suggested that a question and answer session follow each presentation. The way the groups
answer and respond to the other students’ questions should be included in the oral presentation grade.
There are two rubrics provided for assessing student performance: a rubric for biome content and a
rubric for the oral presentation. Both of these rubrics are included on the student answer page.
Familiarize yourself with both of these before starting the project. It is suggested that you score the
groups’ rubrics as you watch the presentation.
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Online Biome Exploration
Researching, Creating, and Presenting a Biome
PowerPoint
PURPOSE
In this activity you will research, create and present a PowerPoint presentation on a particular biome,
focusing on climate, floral and faunal adaptations, ecological interactions, interesting facts, and human
impact.
MATERIALS
computer with Internet access
Microsoft PowerPoint software on computers
PROCEDURE
1. Read through the information in the BIOME PROJECT: CONTENT section to determine what is
required for your oral presentation.
2. Read through the information in the BIOME PROJECT: DIVISION OF LABOR to determine who
is responsible for each part of the presentation.
3. On the BIOME PROJECT: DIVISION OF LABOR page, write the name of your selected biome
and also the name of each person assigned to each section. Turn this page in to your teacher.
4. Read carefully through the content and presentation rubrics on your student answer page.
5. Once it is time to research, each person should rotate being on the computer every 15 minutes. Your
teacher will remind you when 15 minutes have passed. The other two members should be using the
other provided resources for collecting biome information.
6. As each person completes their part of the research, write that person’s initials on the content rubric
in the space provided.
7. You will have three class periods to research. Work quickly and do not waste time.
8. You will be orally presenting your PowerPoint to the rest of the class. You are responsible for
presenting the part of the project that you researched. Your teacher will review with you some tips
for making effective PowerPoint presentations.
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Online Biome Exploration
BIOME PROJECT: CONTENT
Each number below corresponds to an individual slide and must be included in your PowerPoint
presentation (except for #4 and #5, which include 4 slides each). Also, next to each slide description is
the number of points that particular slide is worth. When a slide requires a picture, your group can find
one on the Internet (usually takes longer) or scan one from a book/magazine.
1. TITLE PAGE: (2 pts.)
Slide must include the title of your PowerPoint presentation and the names of all your group members.
2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BIOME: (6 pts. for description, 3 pts. for map)
Slide must include a general description of biome type including locations worldwide. (Must
include the use of a global map in some way.)
3. CLIMATE DATA FOR YOUR BIOME: (6 pts. for graph, 3 pts. for data)
Slide must contain climate data in a graphical format. If you do not include this data in a an easy-tointerpret graphical format, you will not receive any credit in this section. Make sure that your data
points are easy to read/understand.
a. If terrestrial, your biome must include the air temperature ranges during the year in degrees
Celsius. Ask your teacher how to convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius if needed. Monthly rain
totals must also be included.
b. If aquatic, your biome must include water temperature ranges during the year in degrees Celsius.
The depth range (in meters) must also be included.
4. FLORAL/FUNGAL ADAPTATIONS: (20 pts., 5 pts. for each slide)
a. First slide must contain a list of the typical flora found in your biome.
b. The next 3 slides must include a description of 3 of the flora (one per slide) in your particular
biome with special emphasis on how these plants are adapted for survival in your biome. [Go for
diversity — that is, try to find plants that have unique methods of survival.]
c. Each slide must include a picture of the plant and the adaptation on the picture. You can
substitute one fungal adaptation for a floral if you prefer.
5. FAUNAL ADAPTATIONS: (20 pts., 5 pts. for each slide)
a. First slide must contain a list of the typical fauna found in your biome.
b. The next 3 slides must include a description of 3 of the fauna (one per slide) in your particular
biome with special emphasis on how these animals are adapted for survival in your biome.
Describe at least three animals and their particular adaptations. Each slide must include a picture
of the animal and the adaptation on the picture. [Go for diversity — that is, try to find animals
that have different methods of survival. Don’t choose all mammals or all reptiles.]
c. For aquatic biomes, you may substitute a protist or moneran for one of the animals.
6. FOOD WEB FOR YOUR BIOME: (15 pts.)
Slide must include a food web with at least 8 animals and 4 plants, using arrows to show the
direction of energy flow within the food web in your biome. You can create this diagram with a
simple graphics program such as MS Paint.
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a. If you are researching the abyss biome, there are no plants, but you must include the
microorganisms that are the producers in your biome.
b. If you are researching the coral reef biome, you need to include the zooxanthellae algae that have
the symbiotic relationship with the coral polyps.
7. HUMAN IMPACT: (15 pts.)
Slide(s) must describe the impact of humans on your biome. For example: How do we use the land?
Have we affected the biome detrimentally in any way? What has been done or may be done to
correct problems caused by humans? Has the size of the biome changed over time? Do we receive
any benefits from this biome?
a. Include at least one photo documenting the impact of humans on your biome.
b. This can be presented on one or two slides.
8. INTERESTING FACTS: (8 pts)
Slide(s) must describe a minimum of at least four other facts that you find interesting about your biome.
You must include 2 photos illustrating these interesting facts.
9. CONCLUSION/REFERENCES: (2 pts.)
Slide must end your presentation and thank your audience. See the section about references on the
Division of Labor page for notes about referencing.
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Online Biome Exploration
BIOME PROJECT: DIVISION OF LABOR
Team members should write their name beside the section of the report that they agree to research. This
paper should be turned in to your teacher before beginning research.
BIOME:
______________________________________________________
TEAM MEMBER
REPORT SECTIONS
__________
__________
__________
1.
•
description of the biome, including an introductory paragraph
•
interesting facts
•
reference list
•
concluding paragraph
2.
•
description of faunal survival strategies
•
human impact
•
reference list
3.
•
description of conditions to which organisms must be adapted
•
description of floral survival strategies
•
reference list
NOTE: The reference list must be combined from all team members and listed in alphabetical order by
author. For references to websites, use the rules found at the Cyberbee, Electronic Referencing site:
http://www.cyberbee.com/citing.html.
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Name _____________________________________
Period _____________________________________
Online Biome Exploration
Researching, Creating, and Presenting a Biome
PowerPoint
RUBRICS
BIOME PROJECT POWERPOINT CONTENT RUBRIC
Slide
Point distribution
Number of points
Write the person’s
initials that completed
this part of the slide
show in the blank.
1. TITLE SLIDE
a. includes the title
a. 1 point
a. ________
b. 1 point
b. ________
2. GENERAL
DESCRIPTION OF
BIOME
b. names of all your
members
a. general description
including locations
worldwide
a. 6 points
a. ________
b. use of a global map
b. 3 points
b. ________
3. CLIMATE DATA
FOR YOUR
BIOME
a. data present
a. 6 points
a. ________
b. table or graph
b. 3 points
b. ________
4. FLORAL/FUNGAL
ADAPTATIONS
a. list of the typical flora
a. 4 points
a. ________
b. floral adaptation #1
(1) description
(2) picture
b. 4 points
(1) 2 points
(2) 2 points
b.
(1) ________
(2) ________
c. floral adaptation # 2
(1) description
(2) picture
c. 4 points
(1) 2 points
(2) 2 points
c.
(1) ________
(2) ________
d. floral adaptation # 3
(1) description
(2) picture
d. 4 points
(1) 2 points
(2) 2 points
d.
(1) ________
(2) ________
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Online Biome Exploration
5. FAUNAL
ADAPTATIONS
a. list of the typical fauna
a. 4 points
a. ________
b. faunal adaptation #1
(1) description
(2) picture
b. 4 points
(1) 2 points
(2) 2 points
b.
(1) ________
(2) ________
c. faunal adaptation # 2
(1) description
(2) picture
c. 4 points
(1) 2 points
(2) 2 points
d. faunal adaptation # 3
(1) description
(2) picture
6. FOOD WEB FOR
YOUR BIOME
d. 4 points
(1) 2 points
(2) 2 points
c.
(1) ________
(2) ________
d.
(1) ________
(2) ________
a. Include at least 8 animals
and 4 plants
b. arrows showing energy
flow
a. description of human
impact on biome
a. 12 points
a. ________
b. 3 points
b. ________
a. 10 points
a. ________
b. picture of human impact
b. 5 points
b. ________
8. INTERESTING
FACTS
a.
b.
c.
d.
a.
b.
c.
d.
a.
b.
c.
d.
9. CONCLUSION
a. slide is present
7. HUMAN IMPACT
interesting fact #1
interesting fact #2
interesting fact #3
interesting fact #4
2 points
2 points
2 points
2 points
a. 2 points
________
________
________
________
a. ________
Total Points
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BIOME ORAL PRESENTATION RUBRIC
Great
Good
Average
Poor
Omitted
40
36
34
28
0
20
18
16
12
0
Thoroughness: all required info included, amount
of research, length of speech
20
18
16
12
0
Overall Presentation: volume, use of language,
stance, eye contact
10
9
7
4
0
Use of PPT in Presentation: effective use of power
point
10
9
7
4
0
Preparedness: ability to speak without reading,
knowledge and understanding of information,
fielding of questions, organization
Content: accuracy, clarity
Total Points
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