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Build it Yourself
Biodiversity: Explore the Diversity of Life on Earth with Environmental Science Activities for Kids
Look around you―biodiversity is everywhere! From the tallest tree to the smallest microbe, Earth is home to more than 1.5 million known species of plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms. And scientists estimate there could be millions, if not billions, more that have not yet been identified. Explore the Diversity of Life on Earth with Science Activities for Kids introduces middle schoolers to the evolution of life on Earth, beginning with the first single-celled organisms that emerged 3.8 billion years ago to the complex, multi-celled organisms that exist today and make up the tree of life. Biodiversity is found everywhere on the planet―on land, in the water, and even in extreme environments such as ice and volcanoes. Biodiversity can also be discovered by looking through a microscope at tiny worlds of organisms that can’t be seen with the human eye. There are whole microbiomes beneath our feet, in puddles, and even in our belly buttons! All of this biodiversity on Earth helps keep the planet in balance. Biodiversity is also important to humans because it provides food, shelter, clothing, medicines, and more. However, the rates of biodiversity loss are increasing because of human activities. Climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, over-exploitation―these are all critical threats to biodiversity. There are, however, ways to slow or stop this loss through conservation and sustainable development. Biodiversity includes hands-on STEM activities and critical thinking exercises to encourage readers to consider the threat to biodiversity and figure out ways to be part of the solution. Fun facts, links to online primary sources and other supplemental material, and essential questions take readers on an exploration of the incredible biodiversity on Earth. Biodiversity is part of a set of four Build It Environmental Science books that explore the history and science of the planet and all that live on it through hands-on STEM activities and real-life environmental connections. Other titles in this series are Planet Earth , Garbage , and Biomes . Nomad Press books integrate content with participation. Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, and STEM Education all place project-based learning as key building blocks in education. Combining content with inquiry-based projects stimulates learning and makes it active and alive. Nomad’s unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers.
- GenresChildrens
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2019
2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Laura Perdew
96 books15 followersI am a mom, author, writing consultant, and former middle school teacher. I write fiction and nonfiction for kids, including over 30 books for the education market on a variety of topics including wetland conservation, renewable energy, extinction, and animal adaptations. BIODIVERSITY: EXPLORE THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE ON EARTH (Nomad Press, 2019) earned a starred review from Booklist and is a Junior Library Guild selection. My first fiction picture book is THE FORT (Page Street Kids, 2020). My goal is to inspire the next generation of conservationists through books.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 6, 2020
Biodiversity: Explore the Diversity of Life on Earth with Science Activities for Kids by Laura Perdew with illustrations by Tom Casteel offers an overview of life from the first single-cell animals through the varied lifeforms that exist today. The text, which is designed for readers in grades four to six, is thoughtfully divided into six chapters that systematically develop each concept.
The book opens with a double-page geologic time scale and a vocabulary list which is followed by an introduction, What Is Biodiversity?, that discusses the basic concepts of ecosystems such as kelp forests. The biodiversity and interconnection of ecosystems is explored through an up-close examination of a tree both as a specific organism, but also as a diverse ecosystem of birds, animals, insects, fungus and an assortment of microorganisms.
Chapter One, A Short History of Life On Earth, references the geological time table to answer the question, “How has life on earth become so diverse?” The Paleozoic Era saw the rise of early organism like Trilobites and primitive fish. Land plants developed into forests, and environments provided ecosystems for primitive amphibians and reptiles. The Mesozoic Era is known for dinosaurs, the first flowering plants, and the appearance of mammals. The Cenozoic Era is marked by the presence of primates, the diversification of birds, and familiar mammals such as mammoths and saber-toothed cats.
Chapter Two, Biodiversity Everywhere, examines the ways in which environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, and geography determine the distribution of species on land and in water. Why do rainforests, which occupy less than two percent of the earth’s surface, account for fifty percent of earth’s biodiversity? Endemic species, like the Texas blind salamander, are so perfectly adapted to their environment that they don’t exist outside of their specific location. Extremophiles occupy niches from 660° F deep sea hydrothermal vents to the frigid waters beneath two miles of polar ice.
Chapter Three, Why Biodiversity Matters, discusses ways in which ecosystem stability is protected by biodiversity. Pollination, decomposition, and food webs are essential to the health of the planet and dependent on the variety of plants and animals that occupy earth’s many environments.
Chapter Four, Biodiversity And Humans, builds on the previous chapters by demonstrating the many ways in which humans are dependent on and benefit from earth’s biodiversity. The security of our food supply is supported by bees and other pollinators, as well as the many organisms that create healthy soil. Half of our modern medicines are derived from nature’s plants, animals, fungi and bacteria. Recreational opportunities rely on healthy natural environments.
Chapter Five, Threats To Biodiversity, focuses on the ways in which the presence of seven billion humans on earth impact the health of our planet. Climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, habitat loss, poaching, and invasive species pose unique challenges. Pesticides have been found in honey. Every year 9 million tons of plastic go into the ocean.
Chapter Six, Protecting Biodiversity, considers the question “What can we do to protect biodiversity on Earth?” Protection can take many forms, both large and small: conservation, innovation, and implementing laws, treaties, and policies to safe guard the health of our home on the small blue planet called Earth.
Vocabulary is highlighted in Words To Know sidebars. Related STEM projects are listed to check knowledge and offer hands-on reinforcement for concepts. Each chapter includes a QR code to enable readers to access primary sources. Readers are challenged to ask questions and use critical thinking skills in response to calls to action: Essential Question, Consider This!, and Did You Know? Photographs and illustrations enhance content and provide excellent visual interest.
The book is well organized and the content expands on familiar facts and introduces readers to details that are often overlooked. It is not only educational, but is also a pleasure to read. The conversational tone and age-appropriate vocabulary is appealing.
Recommended for STEM home and school libraries.
The book opens with a double-page geologic time scale and a vocabulary list which is followed by an introduction, What Is Biodiversity?, that discusses the basic concepts of ecosystems such as kelp forests. The biodiversity and interconnection of ecosystems is explored through an up-close examination of a tree both as a specific organism, but also as a diverse ecosystem of birds, animals, insects, fungus and an assortment of microorganisms.
Chapter One, A Short History of Life On Earth, references the geological time table to answer the question, “How has life on earth become so diverse?” The Paleozoic Era saw the rise of early organism like Trilobites and primitive fish. Land plants developed into forests, and environments provided ecosystems for primitive amphibians and reptiles. The Mesozoic Era is known for dinosaurs, the first flowering plants, and the appearance of mammals. The Cenozoic Era is marked by the presence of primates, the diversification of birds, and familiar mammals such as mammoths and saber-toothed cats.
Chapter Two, Biodiversity Everywhere, examines the ways in which environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, and geography determine the distribution of species on land and in water. Why do rainforests, which occupy less than two percent of the earth’s surface, account for fifty percent of earth’s biodiversity? Endemic species, like the Texas blind salamander, are so perfectly adapted to their environment that they don’t exist outside of their specific location. Extremophiles occupy niches from 660° F deep sea hydrothermal vents to the frigid waters beneath two miles of polar ice.
Chapter Three, Why Biodiversity Matters, discusses ways in which ecosystem stability is protected by biodiversity. Pollination, decomposition, and food webs are essential to the health of the planet and dependent on the variety of plants and animals that occupy earth’s many environments.
Chapter Four, Biodiversity And Humans, builds on the previous chapters by demonstrating the many ways in which humans are dependent on and benefit from earth’s biodiversity. The security of our food supply is supported by bees and other pollinators, as well as the many organisms that create healthy soil. Half of our modern medicines are derived from nature’s plants, animals, fungi and bacteria. Recreational opportunities rely on healthy natural environments.
Chapter Five, Threats To Biodiversity, focuses on the ways in which the presence of seven billion humans on earth impact the health of our planet. Climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, habitat loss, poaching, and invasive species pose unique challenges. Pesticides have been found in honey. Every year 9 million tons of plastic go into the ocean.
Chapter Six, Protecting Biodiversity, considers the question “What can we do to protect biodiversity on Earth?” Protection can take many forms, both large and small: conservation, innovation, and implementing laws, treaties, and policies to safe guard the health of our home on the small blue planet called Earth.
Vocabulary is highlighted in Words To Know sidebars. Related STEM projects are listed to check knowledge and offer hands-on reinforcement for concepts. Each chapter includes a QR code to enable readers to access primary sources. Readers are challenged to ask questions and use critical thinking skills in response to calls to action: Essential Question, Consider This!, and Did You Know? Photographs and illustrations enhance content and provide excellent visual interest.
The book is well organized and the content expands on familiar facts and introduces readers to details that are often overlooked. It is not only educational, but is also a pleasure to read. The conversational tone and age-appropriate vocabulary is appealing.
Recommended for STEM home and school libraries.
April 22, 2021
I used this book while homeschooling my children (ages 10 & 12). I loved it - it’s relatable, had loads of interesting facts and information, fun activities and QR code’s to learn more. This book is great for all ages.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews