The Biomes of North America

PHASE 1

Your four-person research team will be responsible for the complete exploration of your assigned biome.  To simplify matters, each agent in your group will be assigned a specific topic to research on your biome. Decide as a team which of you is best-suited for each role.

Agent 1:

Your specialty is topography and climatology.  Your job involves basic background information about the biome.  You are to describe the location, climate, and terrain or landscape of the region.  Compile any notes or illustrations you will need to use in your portion of the powerpoint.

Agent 2:

Your specialty is zoology.You are responsible for investigating the animal life found in this biome.  You should identify at least 4 animals found here as well as explain the ways in which each animal is adapted to life in this biome.  Be sure to obtain photographs of these creatures for use in the powerpoint.  You will also collaborate with Agent 3 to create a sample food chain found in this area.

Agent 3:

Your specialty is botany.  You are responsible for investigating the plant life found in this biome.  You should identify at least 4 plants found here as well as explain the ways in which each plant is adapted to life in this biome.  Be sure to obtain photographs of these plants for use in the powerpoint.You will also collaborate with Agent 3 to create a sample food chain found in this area.

Agent 4:

Your specialty, Agent Mulder, is the unknown and unexplained.  You are responsible for finding at least four additional interesting, unusual, fun facts about the biome to share with the group.  Compile any pertinent photos to include in the presentation.

You may use your Science textbook as a general reference, but most of the information you will need for this investigation can be obtained using any of the following web sites. 

 http://www.mbgnet.net/

http://www.worldbiomes.com/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/

http://ths.sps.lane.edu/biomes/index1.html

http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/education/projects/webunits/biomes/

http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113340/main.php?section=biomes 

http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/biomes.html

http://www.world-builders.org/lessons/less/biomes/introbiomes.html

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Laboratory/Biome/

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/

Feel free to use your investigative skills to locate additional information on the internet that may be useful to your research. 

PHASE 2

After all 4 agents have accomplished their individual missions, you will compile your findings in a powerpoint for presentation at our unit debriefing.

Use the following guidelines:

1) Be sure your presentation has a title slide which includes the names of all agents.

2) Agent 1: You should present your information using 3 slides, one each for location, climate, and terrain.  Include at leat one picture per slide and a map for the location slide.

3) Agent 2: You should present your information using 2-4 slides. Include at leat one picture per animal as well as the animals' names and adaptations.

4) Agent 3: You should present your information using 2-4 slides. Include at leat one picture per plant as well as the plants' names and adaptations.

5) Agent 2 & 3: You should present your food chain as well as any necessary explanation on one slide.

6) Agent 4: You should present your information using 2-4 slides. Include at leat one picture per fact.

7) All agents should use bullet points to refer to when presenting their information.  When presenting, feel free to elaborate and explain beyond what is written on the screen (You have seen Deputy Chief Histen do this during Class instruction.).

8) Spelling and accuracy counts!  I expect all field agents to present accurate, quality information.