Game with extinct species picture cards:
Students are given cards (half with pictures, half with species names), after which they must find their matching pair in the room and stay paired;
joint check (+ if necessary, pairs are swapped if someone is with the wrong species), 

slides.slaidid.

Species extinction is a natural process that has occurred throughout Earth’s history for millions of years. However, scientists have observed that today species loss is happening faster than ever before. This is due to various human-related factors that disrupt the balance of nature.

Habitat destruction and fragmentation
One of the main causes of species loss is habitat destruction and fragmentation. Human activities such as deforestation, urban expansion, agricultural development, and infrastructure construction reduce natural habitats or break up ecosystems. When suitable habitats for animals or plants disappear or become fragmented, species survival becomes difficult because resources like food and shelter become increasingly inaccessible.

Climate change
Climate change is the greatest threat to biodiversity. Global temperatures are rising, precipitation patterns are changing, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent — all of which affect many species by making habitats uninhabitable, disrupting food chains, and reducing resources. Since many species cannot quickly adapt to new climate conditions, this may lead to their extinction.

Pollution
Air, water, and soil pollution cause declines in species populations. Toxic chemicals, plastic pollution, and other contaminants can harm vital functions of organisms such as breathing, feeding, and reproduction. Additionally, pollutants can accumulate in food chains, causing poisoning and population decreases.

Overhunting and overfishing of individual species
Hunting, fishing, and collecting animal and plant species can lead to population declines or even extinction. Excessive reduction or destruction of certain species can cause the loss of biological balance and disrupt ecosystem functioning. Particular threats come from poaching and illegal trade.

Invasive species
Humans have facilitated the spread of invasive species, which can outcompete native species in their natural environments. Invasive species, being highly adaptable, can reproduce rapidly and colonize new areas, often outperforming native species in feeding abilities or reproductive strategies. As a result, native species may lose their habitats and face extinction risks.

Today, species are going extinct largely due to human activities — habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, overexploitation of species, and the spread of invasive species.

The number of endangered species worldwide is steadily increasing. Between 2007 and 2022, approximately 9,000 new species were added to the list of endangered species. The main cause of species extinction is habitat destruction caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban growth. Additionally, pollution of air, water, and soil, overfishing and poaching, the spread of invasive species, and climate change play significant roles.

Human-induced climate change results in rising average temperatures, extreme weather events, and disruption of ecosystem balance. Therefore, human activity plays a major role in climate change and consequently in species extinction. Human activities release large amounts of greenhouse gases. When these gases enter the atmosphere, they trap heat radiation, causing the planet’s temperature to rise. This temperature increase can lead to more frequent and intense extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, storms, and hurricanes.

Many species cannot adapt quickly enough to these changes, putting them at risk of extinction.

Due to increased human travel and global trade, more invasive species are arriving. An invasive species is one that has been intentionally or unintentionally introduced by humans into a new environment. Invasive species can displace native species, introduce diseases, or alter the overall ecosystem structure. They compete with native species for the same resources (food, habitat, breeding sites). Often, invasive species are more aggressive and adaptable, giving them an advantage over native species. Consequently, invasive species may threaten native species and even drive them to extinction.

One widely spread invasive species in Europe, including Estonia, is the Spanish slug (Arion vulgaris), which spread to various regions mainly due to trade. This species is highly adaptable to different climate and environmental conditions, enabling it to survive and spread across various parts of Europe.

[1]https://www.statista.com/chart/17122/number-of-threatened-species-red-list/ 

Divide one endangered species among pairs/groups.
They search the walls for the correct QR code (the exact location is not given, they have to find the right one themselves), which leads them to information describing that species.
They read the information and then model a shape out of plasticine or another modeling material based on it, plus briefly describe on paper the species’ appearance, why it is endangered, and what can be done to protect it.
(A pause could follow here before moving on to the summary.)
Each pair/group gives an oral summary of the species they learned about.

QR, descriptions

• Display a picture of an animal on the board, and students imitate that animal.

• The teacher says the species name, the student writes it on a post-it note, and then must position themselves on the right side of the room (endangered species) or the left side (not an endangered species). 

The Species Rescue Journey
The teacher creates a simple path in the classroom where each student or group moves along the route. At different points on the path, there are tasks related to species extinction:

• Invasive species and their impact

• Overhunting and its impact

• Pollution

• Climate change

• Habitat destruction

Children must find solutions to the questions at each point (e.g., “Name one thing you can do to help an endangered species” or “What can you do to protect nature?” etc.). At the end, the class discusses which action seemed most important and why.

Word Search
Create a 25-word word search related to the topic of extinction. The words should be findable in the classroom. Once the words are found, the teacher displays them on slides, and the class reviews the words and their meanings together.

Definition Memory Game
Played like memory or matching pairs. The game also includes extra cards about what to do to reduce/prevent species extinction.

Group Summary + What Can We Do?
Together, formulate 5 key recommendations for preserving our ecosystems.

Students are given a simple "mission plan" where they need to come up with actions to help protect endangered species. Each student or pair writes down one idea they can do at home, school, or in the community (e.g., picking up litter, planting trees, raising awareness, etc.). All ideas are posted on the board, read aloud, and discussed. In the end, students understand that everyone can help protect species and choose a plan to carry out together. 

Students are told that they are friends of nature who must help species survive. They can think about what personal steps they can take (e.g., using less plastic, protecting animals) and share their ideas with the class. The planned activities are carried out during the week, and then students analyze how much good they have done for nature using available statistical data.

Note! Conduct the experiment with an adult.

Goal:
To explore the role of bees in ecosystems and their importance in maintaining biodiversity, focusing on bee pollination and its effect on plant reproduction.

Materials:

• Various growing and flowering plants or flowers placed into two transparent glass containers or boxes covered with mesh on top. One box will have bees introduced, the other will not.

• A small glass or plastic box to attract bees using honey and sweetener; it should be sealable with air circulation.

• 2 large transparent glass boxes or containers (for bees).

• A clock or stopwatch to measure time.

• Worksheet.

Preparation:
To study plant pollination, observe bees inside a container covered with clean mesh or glass. Choose flowering plants that bees like (e.g., sunflowers, cucumbers, tomatoes, apple trees). Place these plants into the bee container at least one day before the experiment. Then introduce bees caught earlier into the container.

Observation:
Students observe the bees’ activity on the flowers. They watch how bees feed, fly, and move from flower to flower. Record how many flowers the bees pollinate by the evening. Also measure whether bee behavior affects plant nutrition and flowering.

Students measure:

• The time bees spend on a single flower.

• How many flowers a bee visits within 15 minutes.

After observation, release the bees and monitor which fruits grow in the different containers (where bees were present and where they were not). Analyze the results. Students will conclude that the disappearance of bees could have a harmful impact on maintaining nature’s balance since pollination is essential for many plants’ survival and reproduction.