Make an Ecosystem Diorama

Make these shoe box dioramas based on real dioramas at the American Museum of Natural History!



Wetlands: Wading Bird Rookery diorama 

Wetlands Diorama: Instructions and printouts

Wading Bird Rookery


Desert: Giant Cactus Forest

Desert diorama: Instructions and printouts

Giant Cactus Forest


Forest: Olympic National Forest

Forest diorama: instructions and Printouts

Olympic National Forest


  • More About This Resource...

    • In this online activity children can explore the wonders of nature with the help of an adult. Here, they can create a replica of one of three museum dioramas.

      • The three featured dioramas are listed—Wetlands: A Wading Bird Rookery, Desert: A Giant Cactus Forest, and Forest: The Olympic Rain Forest.
      • There is a full-color image of the diorama, plus links to printable pages with the diorama's background image and pieces.
      • A separate instructions page is included that has kid-friendly step-by-step directions.

    • Completion Time

      Less than a week

    • Topic

      Biology

    • Subtopic

      General

    • Subtopic

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades K-4:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • properties of objects and materials

      Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

      • the characteristics of organisms• organisms and environments

      Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D: 

      • properties of earth materials

      Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

      • abilities of technological design• abilities to distinguish between natural objects and objects made by humans

      Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F: 

      • changes in environments

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor

    • Learning Standard

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades K-4:
      Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

      • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

      Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B: 

      • properties of objects and materials

      Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

      • the characteristics of organisms• organisms and environments

      Earth and Space Science CONTENT STANDARD D: 

      • properties of earth materials

      Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

      • abilities of technological design• abilities to distinguish between natural objects and objects made by humans

      Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F: 

      • changes in environments

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor