Simulations

Ecosystems are made up of living things that depend on one another for energy and survival. In this interactive activity, you will investigate how organisms are connected through food chains by exploring an online simulation. As you build different food chains, think about how energy moves, why each organism has an important role, and what could happen if one part of the chain changes. Use your observations and reasoning skills to discover how balance is maintained in nature.

STEP 1

Instructions:
1. Explore the simulation below.
2. Drag and arrange different organisms to create food chains.
3. Experiment with different combinations.
4. Observe how organisms depend on one another.
4. Think about what happens when one organism is missing or misplaced.

Science Challenge

Answer this!

Build food chains, trace energy flow, and prove your ecology mastery

⚡ Progress: 0% complete

Step 2 Build Your Food Chains

Drag an organism to a slot, or click to select then click a slot to place it. Click a filled slot to remove it.

✏️ Food Chain 1

________

→

________

→

________

✏️ Food Chain 2

________

→

________

→

________

🌱 Grass

🌾 Wheat

🌿 Algae

🐇 Rabbit

🦗 Grasshopper

🐟 Small Fish

🦊 Fox

🦉 Owl

🦈 Shark

🍄 Mushroom

🪱 Worm

Drag and drop or click to select → Click a slot to place → Click filled slot to remove

💡 Inquiry Tip Why do you think most food chains begin with plants or producers?

Step 3 Investigate the Roles

Based on one of your food chains, identify the role of each organism.

🌱 Producer (makes its own food):

🐇 Primary Consumer (plant-eater):

🦊 Secondary Consumer:

🦉 Top Predator:

🤔 Inquiry Challenge How does each organism help maintain the balance of the food chain?

Step 4 Trace the Flow of Energy

Complete the pattern below based on your observations:

☀️ Sun

→ → →

🔍 Think About It Why does energy always begin with producers?

Step 5 Reflect and Explain

Complete the statement below using your own understanding:

"I learned that food chains…"

💭 What surprised you most while building food chains?

🌱 What might happen if the top predator disappeared from the ecosystem?

🌍 Why is every organism important in maintaining ecological balance?

Your answers are saved to your browser's local storage and will persist when you return.

🎉 Amazing Work!

You've completed the food chain explorer!

📄 Open Reference Document