Science+Projects

= Biomes Unit - Projects  =

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Your final assignment will be a collaborative group project. The class will divide into 7 groups and each group will be assigned one of the terrestrial biomes (rain forests, deciduous forests, tundras, taigas, savannas, deserts and grasslands). As a group, your task is to showcase your biome as a vacation spot! You will create a travel advertisement in the form of a commercial (using a movie-making program) **OR** brochure (using a word processing program) **OR** web page that will convince people to vacation at your biome.======

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Each member of your group will be responsible for researching ONE of the following four biome areas: climate, animal/plant life, landscape and human influences/threats. You can use any of the resources listed among the provided links, in addition to any other reputable sources you may find. You will present your final project to your classmates. You and your group members may chose to utilize a wiki in order to keep each other informed and share ideas. (Like we have done for other class projects).======

I. CLIMATE EXPERT [[image:rain.jpg width="98" height="102" align="right"]]

 * ===Where is your biome located on Earth? (Where will travelers be visiting?) Provide a map.[[image:sun.jpg width="95" height="95" align="right"]]===
 * ===What is the climate of your biome? Average precipitation? Average temperature?===
 * === Does the climate change? Are there times of year that would be better to visit? ===
 * === What types of clothes should tourists pack? What other supplies will they need? ===

II. ANIMAL/PLANT EXPERT[[image:tiger.jpg width="172" height="126" align="right"]]

 * ===**What native animals and plants live in your biome? Include pictures.**===
 * ===**How are the plants and animals adapted to the biome? Give specific examples.**===
 * ===**Discuss cooperation and competition among species. Give specific examples.**===

III. LANDSCAPE EXPERT [[image:rocky_landscape.jpg width="296" height="171" align="right"]]

 * ===**What is the terrain like in your biome? What is the soil like? Include pictures.**===
 * ===**What kinds of recreational activities could tourists partake in?**===
 * ===**Are there areas that would be of specific interest to tourists?**===
 * ===**Does the terrain pose any dangers to tourists?**===

IV. HUMAN INFLUENCES/THREATS EXPERT [[image:deforestation.jpg width="324" height="240" align="right"]]

 * ===Does your biome suffer from the actions of humans? If so, how?===
 * ===Are there endangered species in your biome? If so, what can we do?===
 * ===Are there other threats/environmental problems? Is pollution a concern? How might global warming affect your biome?===
 * ===How can we alleviate the impact of threats to your biome?===

V. OTHER ( These are miscellaneous questions can be considered by any/all of the group members)

 * ===What other biomes are close by that tourists can visit while they are visiting your biome?===
 * ===Why is your biome a better vacation option than any other?===
 * ===Why is your biome important? How would the Earth be affected if your biome did not exist?===

====//Your commercial, travel brochure or web page should address these biome areas and ultimately aim to persuade people to vacation at your biome. The details of the project layout itself is up to your group, just be sure that your format includes answers to the above questions. The grading rubric can be found below.//====

RUBRIC


====For an extra 10 points, the group can design a postcard that would be sent from a tourist vacationing in their biome to one of their family members/friends. Include in the postcard the visitor's impression of the biome. For example: How has the weather been? What activities have they done? Would they return to this place? What has surprised them about their vacation spot? Include any other relevant information.====
 * EXTRA CREDIT:**