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Choose your terrestrial biome (ecosystem):
- Tundra
- Taiga
- Deciduous forest
- Grassland
- Desert
- Rainforest
If you are not sure about the difference between an ecosystem and a biome, check it out here.
Activity 1: Teamwork
Get into groups of 4 and assign a different role to each member:
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| Student A – You are a climatologist. You are interested in how climate affects the plants and animals in your biome. |
Student B – You are a botanist. You study the plants in your biome. |
Student C – You are a zoologist. You study the animals in your biome. |
Student D – You are a biologist.
You are interested in food chains and food webs in your biome.
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Activity 2: Pairwork
In pairs, take a copy of Worksheet A, and a map of the world (or ask your teacher for one).
Research your biome and complete the information on the worksheet. Each pair looks for different information.
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Students A (climatologist) + B (botanist)
Research information about location of different biomes.
Click on the cities to get climate information.
More climate information can be found by clicking on the links to biomes.
Colour the place on the world map where your biome is located.
Click on the flower for information about plants and vegetation, and select your biome.
Then click on the link on that page to find information about typical plants in your biome. Write 3 facts to use later.
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Students C (zoologist)
+ D (biologist)
Find 3 interesting facts about your biome to tell the space tourists.
More information here.
Now find information about typical animals in your biome and/or by clicking on the elephant.
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Activity 3: Teamwork
Work in your team of 4 experts. Fill in the information on Worksheet B. Select only the most important information. This will be used to design your ecosystem model and prepare your talk for the Space Zoo.
You can find example food webs here.
Activity 4: Teamwork
Work in your team of 4 experts. The Space Zoo tourists want to have fun while they’re visiting. Choose 1 joke that you like and can explain. You will add it to your model later.
Activity 5: Pairwork
Now you are ready to design the ecosystem model and prepare your talk. Use a shoebox or large cardboard box to display the model in. Follow these steps:
Students B + C (the botanist and the zoologist)
- Stick your coloured-in map of the world on the outside of the box to show the location of your biome.
- Write a description (3 – 4 sentences) of the climate on one side of the box.
- Write the joke you have chosen on the other side.
- Add a picture or a diagram of the physical terrain on the inside back of the box.
- Prepare a 2 - minute talk to explain your model (and tell your joke!) to the class.
Students A + D (the climatologist and the biologist)
- Draw a typical food web from your biomes and place it inside the ecosystem model.
Write your talk to present to the class. You should include:
- The name of your biome/ecosystem and 2 or 3 surprising facts about it – to get the space tourists interested.
- Information about the typical animals and plants in this biome/ecosystem.
- The reason why your biome/ecosystem is important.
- The threats to this biome/ecosystem on Earth.
Activity 6: Whole Class
As a class, vote which 3 teams should present their models to the ESA. Remember to choose the most informative, the most interesting and the most complete. They will be included in the “Our World Space Zoo Project”.
Other useful maps can be found at:
More information about biomes can be found at:
More pictures of animals:
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