Back to: WebQuest and Digital Breakouts Compendium on STEM enhancement for pupils
Welcome, Eco-Explorers! Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is essential to the health of our planet. From the tiniest insects to the tallest trees, all living things play a role in keeping our ecosystems balanced.
But human actions are putting this diversity at risk. Your mission is to investigate biodiversity in your own region, identify local threats, and design a conservation campaign to protect it.
Get ready to become scientists, advocates, and changemakers!
Key vocabulary:
- Ecosystem
- Endangered species
- Invasive species
- Conservation
- Habitat
- Biodiversity hotspot
- Sustainability
- Citizen Science
- Data Collection
You are joining a team of young environmental scientists working with the Global Biodiversity Taskforce.
Your mission is to:
Research Biodiversity
Understand species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity.
Mini-task: Create a concept map or digital mind map showing biodiversity components.
Investigate Local and Global Threats
Choose a specific threat (pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, climate change).
Mini-task: Conduct a local survey or observation (e.g., count bird species, record plants in a park, monitor invasive species).
Summarise your findings in a 1-page brief or slide.
Design a Conservation Campaign with Action
Develop an awareness campaign (poster, video, interactive presentation).
Include a practical component: tree planting, clean-up activity, habitat restoration, or citizen science project.
Use tools: Canva, Genially, Google Forms (for surveys or pledges).
Present and Reflect
Present your campaign and practical actions to the class or school.
Reflect: What worked? What can you improve? What actions can you continue at home or in your community?
Step 1: Understand Biodiversity
Begin by learning what biodiversity means and why it’s important for the health of our planet. Use the links below to gather foundational knowledge:
Why is Biodiversity so important?
National Geographic: What Is Biodiversity?
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/biodiversity
WWF: Why Biodiversity Matters
https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/what-is-biodiversity
Exploring Ecosystems – BBC Bitesize
https://www.clickview.net/gb/search?audience=59889240&presentation=47&query=biodiversity
Mini-task: Create a concept map or digital mind map (e.g., using Canva or paper) showing what biodiversity includes (e.g. species, ecosystems, genetics).
Step 2: Investigate Local and Global Threats
Now that you understand biodiversity, explore what is harming it. Your team will choose one threat (e.g. pollution, climate change, deforestation) to focus your campaign on.
Threats to Biodiversity – WWF
https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats
Human Impact on the Environment – CrashCourse
United Nations: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Facts
https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/biodiversity
Mini-task: Create a 1-page research brief or slide summarising your chosen threat and how it affects local species or ecosystems.
Step 3: Design a Conservation Campaign
Based on your research, plan and create a Biodiversity Awareness Campaign that educates your school community and encourages positive action. You can choose your final product:
- Poster
- Slideshow/Infographic
- Short video
- Interactive presentation (e.g. using Genially)
Use the tools and guides below to support your creation:
- Canva for Education – Poster and Infographic Creator
- Genially – Interactive Presentation Tool
- WWF: Youth Resources and Campaign Ideas
Product: A creative and informative digital campaign artifact ready to present to your class or display in the school.
Step 4: Present & Reflect
Share your campaign with classmates. Reflect on what you learned and what actions you can take to protect biodiversity in your own life.
Product: A short oral presentation (2-5 minutes) and participation in a class discussion or group reflection.