Activity #1: Ecological Relationships
Materials: Paper and pencil, cardboard, clean recyclables such as: plastic bottles and caps, yarn, pipe cleaners, tape, glue, scissors, markers, string, aluminum foil, paper towel rolls, and any other safe crafting materials.
STEP 1: You’ve seen how weather, water, and pollution shape the environment—but now it’s time to look at what lives in that environment. Plants, animals, and microbes aren’t just surviving these conditions—they’re interacting with one another in complex ways. This next part of our journey is about ecology: how living things depend on each other, compete, help, and sometimes harm. You’ve explored the systems—now it’s time to explore the life within them. Watch the videos below and complete the summaries in your workbook.
STEP 2: You’ve learned how species in an ecosystem don’t just live near each other—they rely on one another. In this project, you’ll design two entirely new organisms that form a mutualistic relationship—a partnership where both organisms benefit. These creatures must be suited to a specific ecosystem and work together in a way that helps them survive. You’ll sketch your ideas, build physical models, tell the story of their relationship, and then present your work in a creative way. The goal is to help others understand mutualism by bringing it to life through design, storytelling, and science. Follow the the step below carefully. Have fun and be creative!
- Pick an ecosystem you’re interested in (rainforest, desert, ocean, tundra, etc.). Do a little research to understand the environmental challenges of that space—temperature, water availability, types of predators, etc.
- Create two fictional species that live in your ecosystem and benefit each other through a mutualistic relationship. Think creatively: maybe one is a plant and the other an animal, or maybe they share shelter, protection, or food.
- Draw each organism on paper. Include labels for special features and explain how those features help them survive and support their partner. Include size, color, texture, movement, diet, defense mechanisms, etc.
- Using recycled and craft materials, build physical models of each organism. They can be 3D or layered on cardboard—just make sure they’re clearly connected to your sketch and mutualism story.
- Write a short narrative explaining who these species are, how they survive in their environment, and how they help each other. Be clear and specific: what does each one give and what does each one get in return?
- You’ll present your models and their story to the class. You can choose to do a live explanation, record a short video, or even create a stop-motion or animation. Be creative, but your main goal is to.
See images of sample models below! Complete all steps in your workbook to capture your design and build.
