Exploring Environmental Issues: Biodiversity

This secondary module uses biodiversity as a window through which secondary students investigate the environment.  It permits educators and students to step back from specific issues and species and to examine broader concepts and larger connections—not just biological, but political, cultural, ethical, and economic as well.  Students will learn that decisions about growth and development, about energy use and water quality, even about health, all rest to some extent on perspectives about biodiversity.

Exploring Environmental Issues: Biodiversity was developed by Project Learning Tree (PLT) in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).  Educators are permitted to download, print, and use any of the following online materials (PLT’s copyright rules).

"The global invaders section of the biodiversity module is great! Some valuable, interdisciplinary concepts [are there] to convey ideas to secondary students that shouldn't wait until college." Dr. Nita Davidson, CA Department of Pesticide Regulation

"Really good development of biodiversity concepts and promotion of living sustainable lifestyles." David Moore, CA Department of Fish and Game

Download the Entire Module or the following sections:

• Biodiversity Background Information for Educators

• Student Activities
    1. Global Invaders
              Resources for Activity 1

    2. Protected Areas: Issues and Analysis 
              Resources for Activity 2

    3. Potatoes, Pesticides, and Biodiversity
              Resources for Activity 3

• Conceptual Framework: Concepts in the sidebar of the first page of each activity refer to this conceptual framework, which serves as the basis for the development of all PLT’s supplementary curriculum materials.

• Correlation to Science and Social Studies Standards

• Glossary

• Acknowledgments

Get Other PLT Secondary Modules

Other PLT secondary modules can be received only through professional development workshops. Contact your State Coordinator for information about workshops in your area.

We need your feedback!

Please let us know how you use this biodiversity module with your students.  Did you like the online format? How did your students respond to the content? Please send your comments and suggestions to Jackie Stallard at jstallard@forestfoundation.org