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Minecraft - Ecology - 8 lesson program

 

Lesson 1: Introduction to Biodiversity

Outcomes:

NSW: ST3-2DP-T, ST3-3DP-T, ST3-4LW-S, ST3-5LW-T, ST3-6MW-S, ST3-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP019, ACTDIP020, ACSSU043, ACSSU094

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​Objective: Students will understand what biodiversity is and why it is essential for ecosystem health.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Begin with a classroom discussion on the meaning of biodiversity. Highlight examples from local ecosystems.

  • Introduce the concept of ecosystem balance and the interdependence of living organisms.

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  2. Main Activity (35 minutes)

  • Transition into Minecraft by guiding students to explore a pre-built world with varied biomes.

  • Assign students to document different plant and animal species they encounter in different biomes.

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  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Conclude with a reflection on the diversity they observed and how each biome supports life uniquely.

 

Lesson 2: Ecosystem Components

Outcomes:

NSW: ST3-2DP-T, ST3-3DP-T, ST3-4LW-S, ST3-5LW-T, ST3-6MW-S, ST3-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP019, ACTDIP020, ACSSU043, ACSSU094

​

Objective: Students will identify the key components of an ecosystem and their roles.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Start with a presentation on the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components of an ecosystem.

  • Discuss how these components interact and support each other.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • In Minecraft, have students modify an existing world by adding or removing certain elements (e.g., water, vegetation).

  • Ask students to observe and record the changes that occur in the balance of the ecosystem as a result.
     

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Wrap up by sharing observations and discussing why certain elements are crucial.
     

Lesson 3: Food Chains and Webs

Outcomes:

NSW: ST3-2DP-T, ST3-3DP-T, ST3-4LW-S, ST3-5LW-T, ST3-6MW-S, ST3-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP019, ACTDIP020, ACSSU043, ACSSU094

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Objective: Students will create and understand simple food chains and complex food webs

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Introduce the concepts of producers, consumers, and decomposers.

  • Use visual aids to explain how energy flows through an ecosystem.
     

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Guide students in Minecraft to build a visual food chain within a chosen biome, starting from a plant and including various animal species.

  • Have students collaborate to connect their individual chains into a food web.
     

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Conclude with presentations and discussions on how disruptions in one part of the chain affect the entire web.

 

Lesson 4: Ecosystem Services

Outcomes:

NSW: ST3-2DP-T, ST3-3DP-T, ST3-4LW-S, ST3-5LW-T, ST3-6MW-S, ST3-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP019, ACTDIP020, ACSSU043, ACSSU094

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Objective: Students will explore the importance of ecosystem services to humans and other organisms.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Present key ecosystem services (e.g., air and water purification, pollination, climate regulation).

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Conduct a Minecraft scavenger hunt where students find elements that represent these services (e.g., trees for air purification).

  • Facilitate a group discussion on how these services are often taken for granted and their impact on human life.

  • Encourage students to create signs in Minecraft summarising the importance of each service.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)

  • Share reflections on the significance of ecosystem services.

 

Lesson 5: Threats to Biodiversity

Outcomes:

NSW: ST3-2DP-T, ST3-3DP-T, ST3-4LW-S, ST3-5LW-T, ST3-6MW-S, ST3-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP019, ACTDIP020, ACSSU043, ACSSU094

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Objective: Students will identify major threats to biodiversity and the consequences of these threats.

 1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Discuss human activities that threaten biodiversity (e.g., deforestation, pollution, climate change).

  • In Minecraft, demonstrate habitat destruction by modifying a biome (e.g., clear-cutting trees) and observing changes.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Assign students to document the impacts on plant and animal life.

  • Have students propose and build a solution in Minecraft, such as reforestation or pollution clean-up.

 

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Encourage a discussion on how these activities can be mitigated.

 

Lesson 6: Conservation and Sustainable Practices

Outcomes:

NSW: ST3-2DP-T, ST3-3DP-T, ST3-4LW-S, ST3-5LW-T, ST3-6MW-S, ST3-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP019, ACTDIP020, ACSSU043, ACSSU094

​

Objective: Students will explore how conservation efforts help protect biodiversity.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Present real-world conservation methods, such as national parks, wildlife corridors, and habitat restoration.

  • Task students with designing a protected area in Minecraft to promote biodiversity.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Discuss sustainable practices, like responsible resource use and recycling.

  • Students can create informational signs and structures in their Minecraft world to represent conservation practices.
     

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Wrap up with presentations of their conservation-focused builds.

 

Lesson 7: Human Impact on Ecosystems

Outcomes:

NSW: ST3-2DP-T, ST3-3DP-T, ST3-4LW-S, ST3-5LW-T, ST3-6MW-S, ST3-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP019, ACTDIP020, ACSSU043, ACSSU094

​

Objective: Students will analyse the impact of human activities on ecosystems.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Introduce case studies of significant human impact (e.g., urbanisation, agriculture).

  • In Minecraft, simulate urban expansion and observe its impact on local ecosystems.

 

  2. Main Activity (30 minutes)

  • Students take notes on changes and hypothesise about real-life parallels.

  • Discuss strategies for balancing development with environmental protection.
     

  3. Conclusion (10 minutes)​

  • Conclude with group reflections on actionable changes students can take in their daily lives.

 

Lesson 8: Final Project and Assessment

Outcomes:

NSW: ST3-2DP-T, ST3-3DP-T, ST3-4LW-S, ST3-5LW-T, ST3-6MW-S, ST3-11DI-T

Aus: ACTDIP019, ACTDIP020, ACSSU043, ACSSU094

​

Objective: Students will demonstrate their understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem interactions through a comprehensive project.

  1. Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Review all previous lessons and reinforce key concepts.
     

  2. Main Activity (35 minutes)

  • Assign students to create a comprehensive ecosystem in Minecraft, showcasing biodiversity, food chains, ecosystem services, and conservation efforts.

  • Include a written report detailing the choices made and their importance.

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  3. Conclusion (5 minutes)​

  • Allow students to present their projects to the class.

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