Fresh Water Environments in Lebanon

Introduction

Lebanon has many freshwater environments, such as rivers, waterfalls, lakes, streams, and brooks. Each freshwater environment has unique characteristics. Some contain running water, while others contain stagnant water. Different freshwater plants grow in these environments depending on the conditions of the water. In this WebQuest, you will become a young scientist and investigate two freshwater environments in Lebanon. You will compare them, discover how they are supplied with water, determine whether the water is running or stagnant, and identify the plants that grow there.

Task

Your mission is to investigate two different freshwater environments in Lebanon (for example: Ibrahim River, Afqa Waterfall, Qaraoun Lake, or another freshwater environment of your choice).

You will:

  • Identify and describe each freshwater environment.
  • Explain how each environment is supplied with water.
  • Determine whether the water is running or stagnant.
  • Compare the two freshwater environments.
  • Identify freshwater plants that grow in each environment (such as poplars, willows, reeds, green algae, duckweed, elodea, and yellow irises).
  • Present your findings in a comparison poster or slide presentation.

Process

1- Choose two different freshwater environments in Lebanon.

2- Use reliable websites, videos, and online resources to gather information about each environment.

3- Record the following information for each environment:

  • Type of freshwater environment
  • Location in Lebanon
  • Source of water
  • Running or stagnant water
  • Freshwater plants that grow there
  • Organize your findings in a comparison table or graphic organizer.
  • Create your final product (poster, report, or presentation) using the information you collected.
  • Review your work to ensure that all information is accurate and complete before submitting it.

Evaluation

Criteria 4 - Excellent 3 - Good 2 - Developing 1 - Beginning
Research and Information Gathering Collected accurate and detailed information about both freshwater environments. Collected mostly accurate information about both freshwater environments. Collected some information, but details are missing or inaccurate. Collected very little information or information is mostly inaccurate.
Understanding of Freshwater Environments Correctly identified the type of environment, water source, and whether the water is running or stagnant for both environments. Correctly identified most characteristics of both environments. Identified some characteristics correctly but made several errors. Identified few characteristics correctly.
Identification of Freshwater Plants Correctly identified several freshwater plants and matched them to the appropriate environments. Correctly identified most plants with minor errors. Identified a few plants but with several errors. Identified few or no plants correctly.
Comparison of the Two Environments Clearly explained multiple similarities and differences using evidence from research. Explained some similarities and differences accurately. Included limited comparison with few details. Comparison is missing or inaccurate.
Organization and Presentation Information is well-organized, neat, visually appealing, and easy to understand. Information is organized and mostly easy to understand. Information is somewhat organized but difficult to follow in places. Information is poorly organized and difficult to understand.
Use of Sources Used reliable sources and included all required information from research. Used reliable sources and included most required information. Used limited sources or missed some required information. Used few sources or information is incomplete.