Biology
Kyler
Biome Project
Name ____________________
Date ____________________
Period____________________
Introduction: You are about to embark on a journey to a biome. A biome is a complex community of
plants and animals living in a particular region and climate. Each biome has varying
temperatures, amounts of moisture and light, soils, plants, and animals. As you progress
through the task, reflect on your present knowledge of the coexistence of animals, plants, and
humans in specific climates around the world.
A travel agency is trying to boost travel to different parts of the world by increasing the
advertising and selling vacation packages. Your team has been hired to gather information
about the world you live in by using the internet and creating a travel package that you will try
and sell. As a team, you will share your information when you present it to your classmates
through a formal presentation.
Task: Working as a group, develop a short presentation to the class to sell your vacation package. After
all presentations are finished, the class will vote on the most appealing vacation. Winners will
receive a bonus!
Vacation Packages
taiga (coniferous forest)
tundra
tropical rain forest
desert
temperate grassland (prairie)
savannah (also listed as tropical grasslands
on some sites)
temperate deciduous forest
Alpine Forest
Biology
Kyler
Process
Each team will be assigned a biome by the teacher. It is the team's job to research the biome and gather
facts and information about that biome. Each member of the team will become an expert in a particular
aspect of the biome. As a group the team will create a power point, prezi, or website that showcases their
biome as a vacation spot. Pictures and facts should be included.
Team Roles
Botanist
Plant Expert
Zoologist
Animal Expert
Meteorologist
Weather Expert
Geographer
Map and Area Expert
Discuss with your team which role each of you will assume. Remember that you are all responsible for
learning about the biome you are presenting, but your role reflects an area of particular focus for you as
your research.
The websites below are a starting point. Use them to find information about the biome you are
researching. This fact sheet will be turned in to show that you did your share of the group work.
Please do not print out whole webpages, a list of facts on notebook paper is fine.
Remember your role. You can write down anything useful you think the team will need, but your focus
should be on the role you were assigned (geographer, meteorologist, Zoologist, Botanist)
Some questions to consider:
What kinds of activities could people do in this location?
What kinds of plants and animals live there?
What are some interesting myths, legends, or other folklore of natives?
What kind of clothes should they bring?
What's the weather like?
What is the best time of year to travel there?
What parts of the world will they be traveling to?
Are there any dangerous elements to traveling there?
Rejoin your group and discuss your findings. Develop your presentation. All visuals will be shown to
the class and the class will vote on the most appealing "vacation package". The winning group will
receive bonus points!
Biology
Kyler
Resources
The World's Biomes
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/taiga.html
Tropical Rainforests and Other Biomes
http://www.panda.org
What is a Biome?
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm
Introduction to Biomes
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html
Biomes and Habitats
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/
Evaluation
Needs Work (2 pts)
Adequate (4 Pts)
Excellent (6 pts)
weather
information lacking or inaccurate
includes accurate information, though
lacking in volume or depth
includes accurate and relevant information
plants
information lacking or inaccurate
includes accurate information, though
lacking in volume or depth
includes accurate and relevant information
animals
information lacking or inaccurate
includes accurate information, though
lacking in volume or depth
includes accurate and relevant information
geography
information lacking or inaccurate
includes accurate information, though
lacking in volume or depth
includes accurate and relevant information
Creativity
Visual is not interesting, minimal
effort involved
Visuals have some interesting features that
may appeal to the audience
Visuals have images and facts that are
interesting to the reader, appeal to audience
Format
Major errors in layout, grammar,
such that visual is nearly
unreadable
Some spelling or grammar errors
Visuals have no spelling or grammar errors,
layout is organized, easy to read
Fact Sheets (individual)
Fact sheet turned in, research not
extensive
Fact sheet turned in, shows extensive
research
Content
Total
36 (team) + 4 (individual) = 40
possible
Biology
Kyler
Name: _______________________________ Date: _________________
Biome Research Sheet
Name: _________________________________
Date: ___________________________________
Name of biome you are researching: __________________________________________
What are other names for this biome when it is found in different areas of the world? (Hint: Some biomes are known by the
same name while others, especially grasslands, are known by different names.)
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Your role: ____________________________
Facts:
Thinker Challenge
You have completed your quest for knowledge about a biome and are taking an imaginary trip to that biome. Imagine
arriving and discovering that common plants are disappearing, water is now in supply that is opposite of what it once was,
and the climate is in the process of changing. These changes are starting to come about because of pollution and other human
activities. Research changes or problems that are occurring in your biome and describe in detail what you can do to help
your biome.