Students explore biotic and abiotic interactions in Rocky Mountain National Park ecosystems in this virtual reality tour.
Resource Type
VR Experience
Middle School
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea(s)
Published Date
Contact
Goals Header
Learning Goals
Goals Header
Learning Goals
- Develop a model to explain the dynamic interactions between biotic and abiotic factors in RMNP ecosystems.
- Construct an explanation for the effect climate change may have on the biotic and abiotic factors in RMNP.
Teaching Materials
Teacher Guide - Ecosystems of Rocky Mountain National Park
Slide Deck - Ecosystems of Rocky Mountain National Park
Student Worksheet - Ecosystems of Rocky Mountain National Park
Description
Part 1 – (10 minutes) Introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park
- Access students’ prior knowledge about National Parks, in particular, Rocky Mountain National Park.
Part 2 – (20 minutes) Construct Initial Ecosystem Model
- Students cut out and arrange RMNP biotic and abiotic graphics to construct an initial Rocky Mountain National Park ecosystem model.
Part 3 – (30 minutes) Ecosystems in Rocky Mountain National Park virtual reality tour
- Students engage with a virtual reality tour to identify biotic and abiotic factors in the montane, subalpine, and alpine ecosystems.
Part 4 - (15 minutes) Revise Ecosystem Model
- Students revise their ecosystem models by rearranging their Rocky Mountain National Park biotic and abiotic graphics based on what they learned from the virtual reality tour.
Part 5 - (10 minutes) Climate Change Reflection
- Students participate in a whole-class discussion focused on how climate change (projected to be warmer and drier) might impact the ecosystems of Rocky Mountain National Park.
