Intro: Wetlands Biome | | : United States 5th

Intro: Wetlands Biome

United States 5th

The Wetlands is a unique ecosystem covered or saturated with water for most of the year, and this biome includes marshes, swamps, and bogs. The slow-moving waters and nutrients abundant in wetlands support a unique ecosystem with birds, fish, reptiles, and insects specially adapted to these conditions. Wetlands are also important in regulating the water cycle, as they help to reduce the impact of floods and droughts by absorbing and releasing water over time.


Overview and Objectives	05:00	Facilitators set the groundwork for students to understand the purpose and components of the project with a well-defined set of learning objectives. By delving into the lesson's fundamentals, students gain the confidence and insight to craft their unique renditions of the project.	Assign this lesson as a student resource. Have students read and watch the video. This section prepares students to engage the lesson. Throughout the teaching of this entire lesson, the facilitator provides an opportunity for students to collaborate with each other and provide feedback on their individual or group project.
Preparation	30:00	Equip students for before starting the lesson by familiarizing them with frequently used vocabulary words, enhancing their writing skills, and engaging in constructive building exercises.	Get familiar with Sustainable Development Goals & vocabulary. Assign this lesson as student resources. Have students read the list and watch the video.
Imagine	10:00	Discover various types of waterlogged ecosystems supporting a rich diversity of aquatic plants and animals.	Imagine section is a critical phase where students are encouraged to conceptualize, and visualize their ideas before diving into the building and prototyping stage in Build section. Pause to have a short group reflection. Florida - NGSSS For SC.5.L.17.1 - Life Science, Interdependence, discuss the concept of interdependence in ecosystems. Explain that in any habitat, organisms have varying abilities to survive. Ask if they can provide specific examples of how organisms thrive. Biomes (bold is the featured biome in this lesson): Freshwater (Salmon): Salmon migrate from freshwater to the ocean and back, showcasing a remarkable life cycle variation that allows them to thrive in both aquatic environments. Marine (Oyster): Oysters demonstrate adaptation through their filter-feeding behavior, utilizing physical characteristics like their shell structure to survive in marine environments by efficiently extracting nutrients from the water. Desert (Sidewinder Snake): Sidewinder snakes exhibit behavioral adaptations, like their unique sidewinding movement, which helps them navigate the sandy desert terrain and avoid excessive heat exposure. Arctic Tundra (Seal): Seals display physiological adaptations, such as a thick layer of blubber and streamlined bodies, allowing them to survive in the harsh Arctic tundra climate by maintaining body temperature and efficiently moving in cold water. Wetlands (Alligator): Alligators showcase physical adaptations like their webbed feet and strong jaws, which aid them in thriving in wetland ecosystems by efficiently swimming and capturing prey. Savanna (Hippo): Hippos exhibit behavioral adaptations by staying submerged in water during the day to avoid the savanna's scorching heat and emerging at night to graze on grasses, showcasing their ability to adapt to the savanna's diurnal temperature variations. Boreal (Moose): Moose demonstrate physical adaptations, such as their large, broad hooves and thick fur, allowing them to move efficiently in the boreal forest's snowy terrain and endure cold temperatures. Temperate (Fox): Foxes display a combination of behavioral and physical adaptations, including their nocturnal hunting behavior and keen senses, enabling them to thrive in temperate regions by efficiently locating and capturing prey. Tropical Rainforest (Frog): Frogs in tropical rainforests have physical adaptations like sticky toe pads for climbing and vibrant colors for camouflage, illustrating their ability to survive in this diverse biome by utilizing unique physical characteristics. SDGs For GOAL 15 - LIFE ON LAND aims to protect, restore, and manage terrestrial ecosystems to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of land resources. Examples include: Biomes (bold is the featured biome in this lesson): Desert: Deserts are sensitive ecosystems with unique flora and fauna adapted to arid conditions. This global goal supports the conservation of desert habitats by promoting sustainable land management practices, preventing desertification, and protecting endangered species found in deserts, like the desert tortoise and various cacti. Arctic Tundra: The Arctic tundra is home to fragile ecosystems, including polar bears, caribou, and arctic foxes. Then emphasizes the importance of conserving these regions by mitigating climate change impacts, protecting indigenous communities' livelihoods, and preserving Arctic biodiversity. Wetlands: Wetlands are vital for biodiversity and serve as habitats for diverse wildlife. The global goal recognizes the significance of wetland conservation, emphasizing the sustainable management of these ecosystems, preventing pollution, and safeguarding the habitats of waterfowl, amphibians, and other species. Savanna: Savannas are characterized by unique flora and fauna, such as lions, elephants, and acacia trees. This goal encourages the preservation of savanna ecosystems through measures like anti-poaching efforts, sustainable land management, and conservation of key species. Boreal: Boreal forests are critical in carbon sequestration and provide habitat for species like moose and owls. SDG 15 supports the protection of boreal forests by advocating for responsible logging practices, safeguarding endangered species, and mitigating climate change impacts. Temperate: Temperate regions are rich in biodiversity, including forests and grasslands. SDG 15 promotes the conservation of temperate ecosystems by addressing deforestation, protecting endangered species like the gray wolf, and enhancing sustainable land use. Tropical Rainforest: Tropical rainforests are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems globally, with countless species relying on them. SDG 15 focuses on tropical rainforest conservation by combating deforestation, protecting indigenous rights, and preserving the habitat of iconic species like jaguars and tree frogs.
Build	15:00	Create an American alligator suitable for a swamp.	Watch the video to get an idea of the project's structure and a demonstration of how it works. Some may figure out how to construct the project just from pausing the video or looking at a few images from the steps. The instructions are helpful for new builders or those seeking general guidance. Florida - NGSSS For SC.35.CS-CS.1.2 - COMPUTER SCIENCE introduce students to the concept of computational thinking, emphasizing problem decomposition, and the importance of breaking complex problems into smaller parts. Explain how this will be applied to building the animal. They can create fins, ears, increasing body size, claws, etc. for iterating on its adaptation. And for SC.35.CS-CC.1.3 - COMPUTER SCIENCE direct students to test how their animals would live by crafting the biome and their habitat. NGSS For 3-5-ETS1-1 - ENGINEERING DESIGN, students will consider constraints, such as the materials they have available, the time they have to complete the project, and any limitations when starting to build. For 3-5-ETS1-2 - ENGINEERING DESIGN, students understand how to design and build functional prototypes, as well as how to evaluate and refine their design through testing. And for 3-5-ETS1-3 - ENGINEERING DESIGN students engaged in this learning experience helps students understand how to design and build functional prototypes, as well as how to evaluate and refine their design through testing.

SDGs

Goal 14

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Understand the fragility and importance of marine ecosystems. Share stories, images, or videos that highlight the beauty of marine life and the challenges it faces due to human activities. Encourage students to discuss their feelings and thoughts about the need to protect marine ecosystems. Engage students in discussions about the ways in which the ocean impacts their lives, even if they don't live near the coast. Encourage students to share their experiences with the ocean, such as beach trips or encounters with marine animals, and discuss how these experiences contribute to their understanding of marine conservation. Conduct virtual or in-person field trips to local aquariums, marine research centers, or coastal areas to observe marine species and ecosystems up close.

Goal 15

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Get a sense of connection and appreciation for the diversity of life on land. Engage students in discussions about the impact of deforestation, habitat destruction, and climate change on terrestrial ecosystems. Share stories or case studies of threatened or endangered species and their habitats, prompting discussions about the ethical responsibility to protect them. Provide resources such as articles, videos, and discussions that explore the diversity of plant and animal species and their interactions. Conduct virtual or in-person field trips to local parks, nature reserves, or botanical gardens to observe and study different species and ecosystems. Provide guidance on creating personal action plans that involve reducing resource consumption, supporting sustainable agriculture, and participating in habitat restoration efforts.

NGSS


3-5-ETS1-1 Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.	Students will identify a design challenge considering specific needs or wants. Through hands-on exploration and discussions, they will determine the criteria for a successful solution while acknowledging constraints like materials, time, and cost. Assessment can be carried out by having students research related problems and their solutions, creating visual or physical representations of their findings, or presenting their understanding of the problem's criteria and constraints to their peers.
3-5-ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.	After understanding their design problem, students brainstorm multiple potential solutions. They will use hands-on techniques like sketching, model building, or creating simple mock-ups to visualize and represent their ideas. For assessment, students can engage in peer reviews to compare and critique each other's solutions, record videos explaining their proposed solutions, or organize a small showcase where they present and justify their ideas based on the criteria and constraints.
3-5-ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.	With their proposed solutions in hand, students will design tests to evaluate the effectiveness and viability of their ideas. They will use hands-on approaches to control variables, conduct their tests, and identify failure points. As an assessment, students could maintain a detailed journal documenting their testing process, discuss their observations in group discussions, or create visual aids (like charts or slides) to represent their findings and suggested improvements.

ISTE Students


1.6.c Creative Communicator Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.	Introduce students to a variety of digital tools and media that can enhance their communication. This could include graphic design software, multimedia creation tools, video editing software, or presentation platforms. Help students choose the appropriate tools based on their communication goals and the requirements of their project.

Florida - NGSSS


SC.5.L.17.1 Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by animals and plants that enable them to survive in different environments such as life cycles variations, animal behaviors and physical characteristics.	Curating a showcase of plant and animal adaptations reveals the evolutionary wonders of survival. By integrating tactile representations of physical characteristics, behaviors, and life cycles, the ingenious ways life forms adapt to their surroundings emerge.
SC.5.E.7.6 Describe characteristics (temperature and precipitation) of different climate zones as they relate to latitude, elevation, and proximity to bodies of water.	Designing tactile models of different climate zones unravels the mysteries of Earth's climatic patterns. The act of integrating elements like temperature and precipitation into these models deepens the understanding of how latitude, elevation, and water bodies shape the world's climates.
SC.35.CS-CS.1.2 Describe how models and simulations can be used to solve real-world issues in science and engineering.	Demonstrate understanding of how models and simulations can be used to address real-world problems in science and engineering. Reflect on a specific scenario and explain how a model employs to solutions to the problem by explaining thought processes and provide examples. For instance, present a scenario depending on the lesson's contents to students: "Imagine your city is prone to flooding during heavy rains, and this flooding causes damage to homes and infrastructure. City planners need to find a way to reduce flooding and protect the city. How can models or simulations help in this situation?"
SC.35.CS-CC.1.3 Identify ways that technology can foster teamwork, and collaboration can support problem solving and innovation.	Collaborate using technology to explore its potential in enhancing teamwork, streamlining communication, and nurturing innovative problem-solving techniques. Experiment with various collaborative platforms and tools to discover how technology optimizes team dynamics.