EOL Biodiversity Card Resources
Biodiversity cards are a fun way to share and learn about the traits or characteristics of organisms. Find out about their conservation status, where they live, how big they are, and how long they live. Use the cards in games, lessons or as field guides.
Start by using EOL’s pre-made cards or copying cards to make your own decks. Cards can also be copied and customized or make your own! Information about card types, tutorials on how to make cards and resources to keep your trait data in order are all listed below. Have fun!
Card Types
There are different card types available. You will find them in all public decks and you can customize and add any of these cards to your own decks.
-
TraitShare an image and trait information about a species or taxon group
-
TitleCustomize decks with descriptive title cards
-
ProjectAdd information about the deck and your project or organization
-
VocabularyInclude definitions for words found on Biodiversity Cards
-
KeyHelps interpret information on Biodiversity Cards
Tutorials
These short tutorials will give you an overview of the EOL Card Maker and how to make your own Biodiversity Cards.
-
An Introduction to EOL Biodiversity CardsThis tutorial is an introduction to EOL Biodiversity Cards -
How to Make EOL Biodiversity CardsView this short tutorial to learn how to make, edit and manage your own cards and decks
Activities
The following lesson plans use pre-made EOL Biodiversity Cards. They are examples of how to incorporate cards into your learning activities. The possibilities are endless!
-
Blank Cards PDFMake your own cards with drawings. Print these blank cards and let your students get creative!
-
Food Chain TemplatePrint out this template, a deck of cards and have students use their knowledge to make food chains.
-
Trophic Food PyramidPrint out the Trophic Pyramid template, a deck of cards and have students explain their selections.
Lesson Plans
Most EOL Lesson Plans can incorporate Biodiversity Cards. Here are a few examples:
-
Food Chains Rummy (grades 2-5, 6-8, 9-12): Build food chains and webs with a deck of cards
-
That's Classified (grades 2-5): Collect 3-of-a-kind in this Go Fish style classification game
-
Go Adapt (grades 2-5): collect sets of organisms with similar adaptations (flying, claws, etc.) in a Go Fish style game
-
Create a Creature (grades 2-5): Create a species card for a new species adapted to survive in your community
Data Resources and Organizers
Making cards requires researching trait information for your organisms of interest. In this section you will find good trait data resources and data organizers to keep data and references in a format easy to transfer into your EOL Biodiversity Cards.
Create a Trait Card in four easy steps:
-
1. Choose a species -
2. Research traits -
3. Create card in Card Maker -
4. Publish or print card
Trait Data Resources and Organizers
This overview provides examples and resources to make cards and decks.
