What's Your Biodiversity IQ?
Provided by: Illinois Department of Natural Resources|Published on: June 13, 2025
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Activity - Classroom
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Region: United States, Global, Illinois, Chicagoland IL
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This activity from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, allows students to test themselves on their knowledge of the world's plants and animals.
- The Biodiversity IQ Quiz has specific questions related to the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- An answer key is provided for the Biodiversity Quiz that also contains additional information that can help build background and conceptual knowledge on the focus of each question.
- Vocabulary, warm-up activities, and extension activities are included in the lesson plan so that teachers may differentiate based on their students' needs.
Prerequisites
- Teachers should have enough student quizzes copied for the entire class. The teacher should also consider if students will be taking the quiz individually or in groups.
- The teacher may want to consider adding a notes section to the Biodiversity Quiz. The answer key provides additional information on the subject matter of each question. Teachers may want to consider having their students jot down some of those notes when going over the answer key.
- For teachers who prefer a more digital classroom, consider turning the quiz into an electronic quiz via Google Forms or another educational quiz platform.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Teachers may want to consider strategic grouping so that students of differing abilities can complete the Biodiversity Quiz together.
- There are two quotes about biodiversity and the environment in the activity. Teachers can use these quotes, and any other quotes they find relevant, as discussion questions or anticipatory activities.
- As stated in the lesson plan, consider using the quiz before a unit on biodiversity and at the end as a summative assessment. Have students track their growth and research any questions they may have still gotten wrong at the end of the unit.
- Teachers can use this lesson to make the connection between biodiversity and climate change. This video is also helpful in understanding the impact humans have on biodiversity.
This resource introduces students to biodiversity. The biodiversity IQ quiz includes detailed answers for each question, and sources are cited. The quiz is grounded in environmental conservation and sustainability science. This resource is a strong tool for students to develop an understanding of biodiversity and is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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