Exploring the Florida Everglades

Welcome, young scientists! Have you ever wondered what kinds of animals and plants live in the Florida Everglades? The Everglades is a unique wetland ecosystem that provides homes for many plants and animals.

Your mission is to become an Everglades Explorer!

Working in a group of three, you will research the Everglades and create a digital presentation using Canva Magic Studio. Your presentation should include:

• A description of the Everglades ecosystem.
• Pictures and facts about at least three plants or animals.
• An explanation of how one animal adapts to its environment.
• Three ways people can help protect the Everglades.

Each group member will contribute information and help create the final presentation. At the end, your group will present its findings to the class.

Florida Standards Alignment: Florida elementary science standards related to organisms, habitats, and interactions between living things and their environment. Select the exact benchmark for your grade level from the Florida Department of Education⁠.

Bloom’s Taxonomy: Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, and Create.

Step 1:Visit these websites to learn about the Everglades and its wildlife:

• Everglades National Park: https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
• National Wildlife Federation: https://www.nwf.org/

 Write down at least three interesting facts about the Everglades.

Step 2: Choose Your Group Roles

Work in a group of three. Each student has a specific responsibility.

• Student 1 – Researcher: Research the Everglades ecosystem and explain why it is important.
• Student 2 – Wildlife Expert: Find information about three plants or animals and describe how one animal adapts to its habitat.
• Student 3 – Presentation Designer: Organize the group’s information and create the presentation using Canva⁠.

Everyone must share ideas, check facts, and help prepare the final presentation.

Step 3: Collaborate Online

Use a shared Google Doc⁠ to record research, share website links, and organize your information. Use your class discussion board to assign tasks, ask questions, and post updates.

These are asynchronous activities because students can contribute at different times. Each student should review the shared document and provide feedback before the project is finished.

Step 4: Create Your Presentation

Work together to create a Canva presentation that includes:

• A brief introduction to the Everglades.
• Pictures and facts about three plants or animals.
• An explanation of one animal adaptation.
• Two ways people can protect the Everglades.

Make sure your slides are organized, easy to read, and include accurate information.

Step 5: Review Your Work

Check your presentation for correct facts, spelling, and grammar. Make sure every group member has completed their responsibilities. Use the project rubric to check that all requirements are included.

Step 6: Present Your Project

Present your Canva slides to the class. Each group member should explain the information they researched and share one thing they learned about protecting the Everglades.

Remember: Work together, communicate respectfully, and use reliable websites to support your research.

• Researcher: Finds facts about the Everglades and its ecosystem.
• Wildlife Expert: Researches plants, animals, and animal adaptations.
• Presentation Designer: Organizes the information and creates the Canva presentation with help from the group.

Everyone must contribute ideas and review the finished project.

Congratulations, Everglades Explorers! You have discovered how plants and animals survive in the Everglades and why this ecosystem is important. You have also practiced researching information, working with others, and creating a digital presentation.

Your WebQuest project will be graded using the following rubric.

Students should include accurate information, explain their findings clearly, work cooperatively, and create an organized presentation.

Subject Area: Elementary Science

Grade Level: 3rd Grade

Lesson Topic: The Florida Everglades Ecosystem

Time Required: 2–3 class periods