Introduction
The Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park — one of Metro Manila’s last remaining natural wetlands — is facing threats from pollution, land reclamation, and improper waste disposal. The local government needs your help! You and your team will work as young ecologists to investigate how this unique ecosystem works, what dangers it faces, and present a conservation plan to protect it for future generations.
Task
Work in teams of 3–4 members to complete this mission:
1. Identify and categorize the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts of the wetland ecosystem
2. Create a detailed food web showing how plants and animals depend on each other
3. Research and explain 3 major threats currently affecting the wetland
4. Develop a practical conservation action plan with 3 doable solutions
5. Submit your work as a 5-minute presentation + a community-friendly brochure
Process
Follow these steps to complete your task:
1. Assign Roles: Split team duties: Researcher 1 (Ecosystem components), Researcher 2 (Food webs & relationships), Researcher 3 (Threats & solutions)
2. Gather Information: Use the approved resources below to collect facts, data and images over 3 days
3. Create Outputs: Use tools like Google Slides and Canva to design your presentation and brochure
4. Present & Share: Showcase your work to the class, who will act as "city council representatives" to evaluate your plan
Resources:
All links are safe and curriculum-aligned:
- Wetland overview: Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park Educational Page
- Ecosystem basics: Kiddle Encyclopedia: Ecosystems
- Food web interactive tool: Sheppard Software Food Web Game
- Local environment data: DENR Environmental Education Portal
Evaluation
| Criteria | Excellent (4pts) | Good (3pts) | Needs Improvement (2pts) |
| Content | All facts are accurate, complete and relevant | Most information is correct | Key details are missing or incorrect |
| Creativity | Outputs are engaging, well-designed and easy to understand | Design is neat and clear | Looks rushed or unorganized |
| Teamwork | All members contribute equally | Most members participate | Some members do not take part |
| Solutions | Ideas are practical, realistic and well-explained | Solutions are relevant but not detailed | Ideas are not feasible for the local context |
Conclusion
By completing this quest, you have learned how all parts of an ecosystem are connected, and how individual and community actions can protect our natural resources. You may share your brochure with your family and neighborhood to spread awareness!