April 24-29

Biome Diorama "Build a Biorama" Project 🌎🎨

📅 Started: April 24
📅 Final Due Date: April 30 (Beginning of Class)

Students are working on creating a 3D diorama model of a specific biome to demonstrate their understanding of ecosystems, food webs, abiotic and biotic factors, and geographic characteristics. This creative project allows students to apply research and ecological concepts in a fun, hands-on format!

🧠 Project Requirements:

1️⃣ Choose Your Biome
Students selected a biome from a variety of options, such as:

• Tropical Rainforest

• Desert

• Savanna

• Tundra (Arctic, Antarctic, or Alpine)

• Wetlands, Lakes, Rivers, Ocean, Coral Reef, etc.

Students then narrowed it down to a specific region (for example, the Mojave Desert or the Amazon Rainforest).

2️⃣ Create the Diorama
Students are building a 3-D model inside a shoebox (or similar box) that includes:

• Biotic Factors:
  ✅ 2 Producers
  ✅ 2 Primary Consumers
  ✅ 2 Secondary Consumers
  ✅ 1 Tertiary Consumer

• Abiotic Factors:
  ✅ 4 environmental elements (such as rocks, soil, sun, water, clouds, etc.)

• Tissue paper “sky” covering the top of the box for light

• A peephole cut into the side of the box to view the ecosystem inside
  
  

3️⃣ Complete the Research and Food Web
Students must glue a completed information sheet to the inside of the shoebox lid, which includes:

• Location of the biome (countries, continents)

• Abiotic factors (temperature, precipitation, soil type, elevation, latitude/longitude)

• Food web diagram showing 7 organisms and labeled with producer/consumer roles and energy flow arrows ​​.
  
  

4️⃣ Final Presentation Details

• Students must label the outside of the lid with their name, class period, and biome name.

• Models should be colorful, neat, and scientifically accurate.

• Creativity is encouraged, but scientific accuracy is the top priority!
  
  

📝 Grading Focus (Rubric Highlights):

• Scientific Knowledge: Clear understanding of biome features and food web relationships

• Materials & Construction: Neatness, creativity, and use of appropriate materials

• Functionality: Structure should be sturdy and viewable through the peephole

• Meeting Requirements: All parts (biotic/abiotic factors, food web, information card) must be included .
  
  

🌍 Why This Matters:

This project connects our learning about ecosystems, energy flow, biodiversity, and environmental factors in an engaging and memorable way. It also helps students practice research, creativity, and scientific modeling skills!

✅ Reminder: Final projects are due at the beginning of class on April 30. Make sure everything is complete and assembled before then! 🧬✨