Random Sampling – estimate a population of “sunflowers”

Random Sampling with Dandelions – estimate the number of weeds on your school grounds using string and counting the number of plants within a plotted area

Symbiosis and Energy Use – examine several graphs and determine the type of relationship indicated (commensalism, parasitism, mutualism)

Interpreting Ecological Data – graphs and data tables

Demography Lab – collect cemetery data, construct survivorship curve

Rabbit and Wolf Simulation – collect data, growth curves, analyze how reproductive rates of predator and prey affect growth curves

Predator and Prey Simulation with Notecards – use notecards to demonstrate how predator and prey numbers change over time

Population Change over Time – rabbit and wolf simulator, you can modify parameters such as food levels, environment, and metabolic rate

Forest Food Web Label  – image; label producers, consumers, carnivores

Prairie Food Web Label II – another image to identify producers, consumers

Biomes and Ecosystems

Google Slides and Notes on Biomes

Google Slides and Notes on Niche Partitioning

Analyzing Data – Explore Features of Biomes – Use a map and graphs to determine features of biomes

Build an Ecosystem – use bags, water BTB, oxygen data

Investigating Algae Blooms – analyze and color a map showing regions of algae blooms, determine causes

Succession in an Ecosystem – graphic shows how species are replaced as a pond dries up.

Exploring the Stages of Secondary Succession – arrange cards in order to show the sequence of events that occur after a fire

Create a Biome Concept Map – research biomes to create graphic organizer

Biomes Concept Map Fill In – concept map is already created, students fill in words

Research Biomes Project – create a presentation, travel brochure or similar artifact to showcase your biome

Analyze Data and Create a Climate Graph – chart showing rainfall and temperatures of different regions

Exploring Range of Tolerance in Steelhead Trout – analyze a graph showing temperature and number of trout

Investigation – What Organisms Are Found in Pond Water? – students examine pond water under a microscope and use field guides to identify organisms

Predator Prey Simulation at Learner.org – change variables on numbers and types of predators

Ecosystem in a Jar – design a habitat for snails and water plants and observe changes in carbon dioxide levels with bromothymol blue

Ecosystem (Biomes) Venn Diagram – compare two biomes and complete diagram

Biomes at MoBot – web lesson, research site, fill out table and answer questions

Color a Biome Map –  color North American Biomes by reading instructions on their locations

Owl Pellets – dissect owl pellets, reconstruct skeletons

Environmental Issues

Investigating Algae Blooms and Dinoflagellates – discover how rainfall and temperature affect aquatic ecosystems

Sea Turtles and Sex Determination – investigate how temperature affects the sex of hatching turtles

Case Study – The Wolves of Isle Royale – explores how inbreeding can affect populations

Can Sport Hunting Control Predator Populations – examine data on cougar attacks in states that allow hunting and those that do no allow hunting

Data Analysis – Invasion of the Jumping Worms – data shows how an invasive species can affect soil quality

Investigating the Effects of Oil Spills on Birds – use real feathers to show how oil and soap can injure birds

Ecology Project – create a presentation about an environmental issue

Case Study – How Human Activities Affect Water Quality – examine a map showing various areas of a river affected by pollution

Exotic Pets – a set of activities over wild and exotic animals  and the risks of owning them

Environmental Action Group Discussion – a simulation where students allocate resources to various causes

Endangered Species Project – create a publication (website or prezi) that explores a species that is threatened

Investigate the Causes Endangered Species – using earthsendangered.com, create a graphic organizer that compares 4 different threatened animals from an area of the planet

Food for Thought – model the amount of food resources each country has using Hershey kisses

Zebra Mussels – read an article about exotic (invasive) species, answer questions

Human Population Graph – use data to graph growth and analyze

Environmental Action – as a group, allocate resources to different “causes”

Ecology Listmania – an introductory discussion where students list ideas or issues related to the environment

Investigation – What Factors Affect the Heart Rate of Daphnia – expose a living organism to ethanol to determine how it affects the heart rate

The Desperate Dozen – How limited resources in medicine should be allocated.