This document provides instructions for students to conduct a virtual field trip of an aquatic ecosystem by researching online. It outlines specific biotic and abiotic factors for students to include in their research: the location, surrounding geography, effects of sunlight, depths/salinity and aquatic life, effects of seasonal temperature changes, and predictions of climate change impacts. Students are then asked to share their virtual field trip findings with their instructor in a creative format, such as a presentation, slideshow, webpage or illustration, while citing sources.

1. STEP 1 A virtual field trip is a Web search of a location you are unable to visit
in person. For this virtual trip, pick any sea, lake, bay, or river in the world and research the
biotic and abiotic factors that make it unique. Include the following features in your virtual field
trip research:
the location of your body of water
a description of the geography surrounding your body of water
the effects of sunlight on the aquatic life inhabiting your body of water
the depths and salinity of your body of water and how this shapes the types of aquatic life
present
the effects of seasonal changes to water temperatures and aquatic life in your body of water
predictions or current research on the effects of climate change to your body of water
STEP 2 Now that you’ve gathered your research, share your virtual field trip with your
instructor. Include pictures of your aquatic ecosystem and the life within it in your presentation,
but make sure to cite the sources of your pictures and research. Please review the student
example and rubric for this virtual field trip before continuing.
You may share your field trip in any creative format you would like. Here are a few suggestions:
video or media presentation
slide show
Web page
illustration that includes research notes