For our 3rd grade STEM class, we kicked off the year with a segment on the different biomes around the world and exploring our own unique biome of the tripical rainforest in which we are all so lucky to live in! The land mass of the Earth can be divided into these major biomes: tundra, taiga, temperate deciduous forest, temperate grassland (steppe), Mediterranean, desert, savanna, and tropical rain forest. The class discussed how certain animals and plants have adapted to thrive in each biome - why is the arctic fox white? Why is the trunk of a cactus green? We learned that animals and plants alike have adapted and learned to conserve their energy and need for water according to the biomes that they live in. For example, cacti have green trunks and no leaves because they have transferred the work of photosynthesis to their trunks/stems - therefore, they are much more efficient at converting sunlight to energy and producing their own food.
We also discussed the drastic difference between a biome like the tundra where there is a layer of permafrost year round and the landscape is completely treeless to a temperate deciduous forest where are are huge pops of color and 4 very distinct seasons. We explored the wide varying range in rainfall from the dessert (less than 1" per year) to the tropical rain forest (avg. 180" per year). We are super lucky to live in the most diverse, rich and lush biome - home to the most number of species of animals and plants! Each 3rd grade team made biodomes so they can explore the concept of a self sustaining ecosystem. Check out the photos below:
We also discussed the drastic difference between a biome like the tundra where there is a layer of permafrost year round and the landscape is completely treeless to a temperate deciduous forest where are are huge pops of color and 4 very distinct seasons. We explored the wide varying range in rainfall from the dessert (less than 1" per year) to the tropical rain forest (avg. 180" per year). We are super lucky to live in the most diverse, rich and lush biome - home to the most number of species of animals and plants! Each 3rd grade team made biodomes so they can explore the concept of a self sustaining ecosystem. Check out the photos below: