Biotic-Abiotic

Everything is either biotic or abiotic.

Part 1: Biotic/Abiotic Challenge

Using a rope to represent abiotic factors and students to represent biotic factors, the challenge is to balance these factors and create a model of an ecosystem. 

Part 2: Biotic/Abiotic Line-up

The teacher or a student will hold up items and students line up on a spectrum depending on how strongly they feel the item is biotic or abiotic.

Items may include: stick, rock, leaf, plastic cup, coin, water, shirt, raincoat, etc.

Part 3: Biotic/Abiotic Hunt

In a natural area near the school, find objects and place them properly in the circles labeled for "biotic" and "abiotic."

Part 4: Biotic/Abiotic Table

At the Elwha River we will measure the following biotic and abiotic factors. 

Make and fill in this table in your journal. 

The first line with "fecal coliform" is a sample to be followed for the rest of the items. Click the "Factor" below for sources to read to help you answer. Optional: Use this printable notes template for journals. 

Part 5: Abiotic-Biotic Life Challenge

Eye contact will not kill you . . . really.

• Make a tight circle of no more than 20 people.

• Someone says "abiotic" and all students look at the ground.

• That person says "biotic" and all students look directly at 1 person's eyes.

• If two people make direct eye contact, both pretend to die dramatically.

• Those still "alive" keep playing until there are only 1-2 left.

Abiotic and biotic factors together keep you alive, actually.