Introduction
Have you ever wondered why the Florida Everglades are called the "River of Grass"? Why are so many plants and animals dependent on this unique ecosystem? In this WebQuest, you will become an environmental scientist investigating the Everglades. You will explore the ecosystem, identify threats to its survival, and propose solutions to help protect it for future generations.
Guiding Questions
- What makes the Everglades a unique ecosystem?
- What plants and animals live in the Everglades?
- What environmental challenges threaten the Everglades?
- How can humans help preserve this ecosystem?
Learning Objectives
- Identify the characteristics of the Everglades ecosystem.
- Analyze human impacts on the environment.
- Evaluate solutions for environmental conservation.
- Create a digital presentation demonstrating their findings.
Task
Task
You and your group will work as environmental scientists to create a Canva Magic Studio presentation titled: "Saving the Everglades: Protecting Florida's Natural Treasure"
Presentation must include:
- Overview of the Everglades ecosystem
- Plants and animals found in the Everglades
- Three major environmental threats
- Conservation efforts currently being used
- Your group's recommendations for protecting the Everglades
Process
Process
Step 1: Form Groups
Students will work in groups of four.
Step 2: Assign Roles
Ecosystem Researcher
- Research the geography and ecosystem of the Everglades.
- Gather facts and images.
Wildlife Specialist
- Research native plants and animals.
- Identify endangered species.
Environmental Investigator
- Research pollution, invasive species, and habitat loss.
Conservation Expert
- Research restoration projects and propose solutions.
Step 3: Conduct Research
Use the following resources:
- https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
- https://www.evergladesfoundation.org
- https://myfwc.com
- https://education.nationalgeographic.org
Step 4: Collaborate Online
Groups will use:
- Google Docs to share notes and research.
- Google Classroom Discussion Board to communicate asynchronously.
- Canva Magic Studio to create the final presentation.
Each student must contribute research and respond to at least two classmates' discussion posts.
Step 5: Create Presentation
Include:
- Title Slide
- Everglades Overview
- Wildlife and Plant Life
- Environmental Threats
- Conservation Efforts
- Recommendations
- Works Cited
Step 6: Present Findings
Each group member must present at least one section of the project.
Evaluation
Evaluation
Rubric
| Criteria | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Needs Improvement (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Accuracy | Information is accurate and detailed | Mostly accurate | Some inaccuracies | Significant inaccuracies |
| Team Collaboration | All members contributed equally | Most members contributed | Uneven participation | Little collaboration |
| Presentation Design | Creative, organized, visually appealing | Organized and clear | Some organization issues | Difficult to follow |
| Analysis of Threats | Thorough analysis and solutions | Good analysis | Limited analysis | Minimal analysis |
| Communication | Clear and engaging presentation | Mostly clear | Some difficulty explaining | Unclear presentation |
Conclusion
You have completed your investigation of the Florida Everglades. Through your research, you learned how ecosystems function, how human activities impact the environment, and what can be done to protect natural habitats.
Understanding environmental conservation helps us become responsible citizens who can make informed decisions about protecting our planet.
Enrichment Activity
Take a virtual field trip through the Everglades and identify at least five species you learned about during this WebQuest.
https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm
After completing the virtual tour, write a one page reflection describing what you learned and which species interested you the most.