Midterm Biome Project Info

**DUE DATE and DATE of PRESENTATION: Saturday, Dec 7, 10am-12pm**

Project Type

Select one of the following project choices.

1) Trifold Display

This is the classic science fair-style informational display. You can purchase the pre-made boards or rig up something similar yourself. This kind of display should contain a blend of images, written blurbs, and graphic info (such as graphs, maps, etc.). You should focus on concisely representing important information in a clear and visually pleasing way.

2) Biome-in-a-Box

This is a hybrid between an art project, a science model, and a teaching display. The basic idea is that you start with – you guessed it – a box. I typically say a shoebox of any size, but I have been known to avert my eyes if need or creativity lead you to select a different kind of box. Using this box as your foundation, teach the class about your biome. This kind of project is typically an extreme diorama depicting your biome and/or components of your biome you choose to highlight. There should also be a written component explaining what the viewer is seeing. This might be blurbs on the outside of the box, flaps or pull outs with additional info, or standup signage. You should focus on being clear and creative. (The one on the right is pretty extreme, but I wanted to show it to you.)

3) Slide Presentation

You can use any kind of software to produce your presentation – PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi, Zoho, Slideshare, anything you have used in the past or are interested in learning to use for the future. You should consider this a formal presentation, so use images, explanatory text, informational graphics (graphs, maps, etc.) as well as the presentation tools available in your software of choice. These might include themes, creative transitions, audio components, or other features that will engage the audience. You should focus on variety and conciseness.

PowerPoint example
Prezi example

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content

The sort of things that should be included in your biome project are:

  • Name of the biome
  • Characteristics for the  biomes. Average, highest and lowest temperature; average rainfall; in what latitudes and longitudes they are found; geographical features; salinity, if a water biome; etc.
  • At least 3 animal species found in your biome
  • At least 3 plant species found in your biome.
  • Unique conditions in your biome, such as permafrost, length of night and day, and any other aspect of your biome that is interesting to you.
  • Bibliography of your sources. (Need a cheat sheet to track your sources? Use THIS.)

Essay

If you are a “high schooler,” you also have an essay assigned to you on your biome. If you are not a high schooler, you are welcome to turn in an essay as well, but it is not required.

Your biome essay should focus on a particular aspect of your biome you’d like to explore further. Suggested theses might be something like, “A Comparison of American Deserts and African Deserts” or “How Changes in the World’s Oceans are Effecting Coral Reefs” or “The Importance of Hardwoods in Temperate Forests.” I would suggest doing your project first and your essay second, so you know more about your biome when you’re picking your topic. Feel free to contact me for help.

Essays should be ~1000 words, typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman font (or similar). Be sure to use your own words and to cite all your sources. For a basic overview of writing an essay of this length, see THIS guide.