Contextualization

Welcome to our journey of exploration about Biomes! This is a unique opportunity to delve into the various ecosystems that make up our planet. We must understand biomes as large units where the environment (abiotic factors) and living beings (biotic factors) are related, forming a stable system.

There are countless life forms that inhabit each biome, from microorganisms, plants, animals, and, of course, us humans. Each one has distinct characteristics that have been shaped through millions of years of evolution, making each living being adapted to the conditions of the biome in which it lives.

To start our exploration, let's first get to know the main world biomes and their main characteristics. Biomes are basically divided into: Tropical Forest, Temperate Forest, Deserts, Grasslands (Savanna, Prairie, and Steppe), Tundra, and the Aquatic Biome which is divided into: Marine and Freshwater. Each of them has peculiar characteristics regarding climate, soil, vegetation, and fauna.

Our planet is constantly under threat due to human activities. It is very likely that when we hear the word 'biome', images of forests being devastated, animals losing their habitats, or cities being invaded by floods and landslides automatically come to our minds. Unfortunately, these images have become increasingly common due to the lack of respect and awareness regarding the importance of biomes for the planet's balance.

Biomes are essential for maintaining life on Earth. In addition to harboring a rich biodiversity, both fauna and flora, biomes provide numerous ecosystem services. These include oxygen production, climate regulation, water purification, soil fertilization, disease and pest control, among others.

Understanding the structure and functioning of biomes is a crucial step in the pursuit of more sustainable development. As future citizens, you have the responsibility to understand and preserve biomes for future generations. This project is an opportunity to be part of this change!

Therefore, to help you in this process, we suggest the following study materials:

1. Book: 'Brazilian Biomes: Concepts, Species, and Environmental Conservation', by Ricardo Ribeiro Rodrigues and Sérgio Ahrens.
2. Website: Specialized Platform on Environment EcoKids
3. Documentary: 'Our Planet' from Netflix
4. Scientific Articles: We suggest reading articles available on Google Scholar that address the importance of biomes and their main characteristics.

Practical Activity: The Exploration of World Biomes

Project Objective

Investigate and present a biome of your interest, highlighting its distinct characteristics, the biodiversity present, human influence, and necessary preservation measures.

Detailed Project Description

Each group will choose a biome to explore and will develop a seminar-style presentation for the class. The presentation should include a map showing the biome's location, a description of the main climatic aspects, types of vegetation and animals present, a discussion on the main threats to the biome, human influence, and necessary preservation measures.

Additionally, students should create a three-dimensional model (diorama) of the chosen biome, which will serve as a visual aid during the presentation. This model should be made using recyclable/remnant materials to promote awareness and practice of responsible consumption.

Required Materials

• Research materials: Books, scientific journal articles, reliable websites, documentaries;
• Materials for diorama production: Shoebox, paper, glue, tape, paint, recyclable materials (plastic, cardboard, styrofoam, fabric), etc.

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students and choose a biome to explore.
2. Start researching the chosen biome, looking for the necessary information for the presentation. Consult multiple sources to ensure the accuracy of the information.
3. Divide the research tasks among group members to optimize time.
4. Once all information has been collected, start building the script for the presentation.
5. Parallel to the script construction, start making the diorama. Remember that it should represent the main characteristics of the chosen biome.
6. After completing the diorama and finalizing the script, rehearse for the presentation.
7. Present your findings to the class on the agreed-upon day.

Project Deliverables

At the end of the project, each group must deliver the following pieces:

1. Oral Presentation: Each group member must actively participate in the presentation, discussing different aspects of the chosen biome.

2. Diorama: The physical diorama must be delivered along with a detailed description of the elements present and their significance in the context of the biome.

3. Written Report: The report should consist of four sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusion, and Bibliography. The Introduction should present the chosen biome and the relevance of this study; the Development should explain the theory behind the biome, describe the diorama, and discuss the main points of the research; the Conclusion should summarize the main findings, reflections on the project, and the lessons learned; finally, the Bibliography should list all sources of information used.

Remember that the depth and quality of research, clarity of communication in the presentation, creativity and accuracy in diorama elaboration, and teamwork collaboration skills will be the main evaluation criteria for this project.