Project Blog 5/8/16 - Temperate Grasslands (The Great Plains)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Picketwire_Canyon.jpg

Summary

In this project, we had to research a biome and create a trifold as well as a model. The trifold and model both included information n your specific biome. My group was assigned the temperate grasslands. We decided to specifically research the Great Plains. The Great Plains are mainly located in Central America. However, a few other main temperate grasslands are located in Africa, South America, and Eurasia. The dominant plant is grasses. There are few to no trees in this biome. As for animals, there is very low diversity. Some common animals are bison and pronghorn. In the summer, temperate grasslands are very hot, in the winter, they are dry. The climate and weather there are very harsh and rough. Another interesting fact about temperate grasslands is that they have extremely fertile soil. In fact, it actually has some of the most fertile soil in the world. Unfortunately, due to the soil, a lot of the land is being taken over for farming leaving less room for actual wildlife. 

Backwards Looking - What process did you go through to produce this piece?

During this project, we had complete several steps. The first one being research. Our group spent about 1.5 weeks of research. Each group member was assigned a different area of research. The next step was organizing our research so we could print it and attach it to a board. When that was done, we printed it out and worked on our board. While a few people were working on the board, then the other members would work on our model. From there, we just finished each component for the project. 

Inward Looking - What did/do you find frustrating about this?

One thing I found frustrating was how my group never completely finished our model. We weren't able to create all plants to attach to our model. Another thing I found frustrating was how my group didn't always work as productively as we could have. For example, one person might not bring some certain material when they were supposed to. The final thing that made this project a bit harder to complete was the fact that one of my group members were often absent during that time. 

Outward Looking - In what ways did your work meet the standards for this assignment? In what ways did it not meet those standards?

In our trifold, our group met the standards for all the information required. We neatly typed it out, cut it and pasted it onto the board. The trifold was nicely completed. As for what didn't meet the standards, our model was missing a few key components. Though our model did resemble a temperate grassland biome, it did not include all the plants and animals mentioned on our board. It was missing many different plants. Both hazardous and edible.

Forward Looking - What would you change if you had the chance to do this piece over again?

If I had the chance to do this piece over again, I would set harder deadlines. That way, my group would be able to finish all parts of the project and meet all the standards. I would spend less time making the model or trifold look nice and more time working on the animals clay figures as well as plant figures. I would also use a more sturdy box for my diorama. Halfway through the project, our diorama snapped in half. We had to problem solve and fix the edges as well as redo our river.