Ecosystems and Social/Economic/Environmental Issues in Asia Project

Ecosystems Project

This is a self-paced study that you will work on in class and at home. Some resources will be provided in class, but you are responsible to make sure you have the needed resources. Students will create a Diorama and a Thinglink for their chosen ecosystem. In Thinglink use the free program, do not pay for the upgrade. Label each sections link-dot using the free lettered dots that apply to each section of the project (A-E). Checkpoint dates are to show reasonable progress to completion.

Check point #1 due date: Friday, April 21, 2017

CLASSIFYING ORGANISMS and DIVERSITY A. Recognize, classify, and remember that the broadest taxonomic classification of living organisms is divided into domains.(6.12c (S)) a. Vocabulary - define: domains, kingdom, taxonomy. Levels of Organization B. Diagram the levels of organization within your selected ecosystem, define and include a picture of each the following:(6.12f (S)) a. cell c. organ e. organism g. community b. tissue d. organ system f. population h. ecosystem

C. Describe and remember biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem in which organisms interact. (6.12E (S))

Vocabulary Define: biotic factors Vocabulary Define: abiotic factors Examples: What are they? Examples: What are they?

D. Diagram the flow of energy through living systems, including food chains, food webs and energy pyramids. (7.5C) Create a food chain, a food web, and an energy pyramid of organisms in your ecosystem

E. Identify changes in genetic traits that have occurred over several generations through natural selection and selective breeding such as the Galapagos Medium Ground Finch or domestic animals. (7.11C) Vocabulary Define: natural selection and selective breeding Find an animal or plant that has evolved through natural selection or domestic breeding and explain how it has evolved. Check point #2 due date: Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Diorama Instructions Materials:

 Shoebox  Paint, crayons and markers  Construction paper  Clay or Playdough (if available)  Magazine clippings (or drawings)  Natural elements from nature (things from outside that belong in your ecosystem)

1. Step 1

Determine the type of ecosystem you would like to create. Some options to consider are rainforest, coral reefs, grasslands, deserts, or tundra among many others.

2. Step 2

Research what plants and animals live within the chosen ecosystem. For example, if you are doing an American Southwest desert ecosystem, choose rattlesnakes, elf owls, lizards, spiders and jack rabbits. Plant life could include cactus, sagebrush, cottonwood trees and wildflowers.

3. Step 3

Turn an empty shoe box on its side so you can see into the box. This will be the stage for your display.

4. Step 4

Paint the inside of the shoebox to make the background, or glue down pieces of construction paper or fabric.

5. Step 5

Create replicas of at least 5 plants and 5 animals within the ecosystem. You can make plants out of construction paper or pipe cleaners. Make animals out of clay (playdough), or cut pictures out from a magazine.

6. Step 6

Arrange the materials in the diorama as desired to create your ecosystem display. You'll have to glue down the elements of the diorama so each piece will stay just where you want it.

7. Step 7

Use real elements to put into the diorama. Real grass clippings look great within a diorama about the rainforest, as does sand in a desert diorama. FINAL DUE DATE: FRIDAY, April 28, 2017