Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Through the Years With a Tree
Young scholars explore, observe, and record the life and nature in their adopted "one small square" throughout the school year. As they collect data, they make predictions and inquiries in regards to weather, temperature, and phenology.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Plant Succession Field Investigation
This instructional activity is to be used as an introduction to ecosystems and plant succession. Students will observe both biotic and abiotic features of a selected site on a plot of wild land. They will take notes, make drawings, and...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observing Living and Non Living Components of an Ecosystem With a Partner
In this activity students will observe a square foot of an ecosystem surrounding our elementary school. They will keep a journal to record the physical elements of their area. It will include both written details and drawings. They will...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Observing Living and Nonliving Components of an Ecosystem With a Partner
In this biology field lab, students will observe a square foot area of an ecosystem surrounding our elementary school. The students will keep a journal to record the physical elements of the ecosystem which they will visit monthtly. The...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Microbial Communities
This 1986 journal article reports that most microbial communities have escaped description. Article covers communities and ecosystems, microbial communities in termite intestines, microbial mats in evaporite flats, and microbial...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Light at the Bottom of the Deep, Dark Ocean?
What types of adaptations enable deep-sea fishes to survive and collect food in the darkness of the deep ocean? Interactive, hands-on lesson plan takes students on an exploration of deepwater adaptations by searching for Skittles in a...
Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden: Freshwater Ecosystems
At this site from the Missouri Botanical Garden, you can learn about the wide variety of plant and animal life in or around fresh water ecosystems. Click on the links to "wetlands," "Ponds and Lakes," or "Rivers and Streams" to view...
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: Rachel Carson
A concise biographical sketch that examines the life and contributions of scientist, naturalist, writer, and Pennsylvania native, Rachel Carson.
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Action Bioscience: Species, Speciation and the Environment
The American Institute of Biological Sciences offers this article by Niles Eldredge, evolutionary theorist and curator at the American Museum of Natural History. Eldredge begins with Darwin's theories and summarizes subsequent thought,...
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Action Bioscience: The Threat to Biodiversity & What Can Be Done
Invasive species such as zebra mussels are threatening the ecosystems they are overrunning. Meet some of the unwelcome intruders and find out what they're doing and how their actions can be curbed.
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Action Bioscience: Light Pollution and Ecosystems
This article and the resources it provides explains how artificial outdoor lighting wreaks havoc on wildlife.
PBS
Pbs Kids: Plum Landing: Explore the Outback
In this interactive game, players are challenged to complete a series of missions to photograph desert plants and animals in the Australian outback. Through the clues provided, players learn about desert ecosystems, the plants and...
PBS
Pbs Kids: Plum Landing: Rocky Mountain Roundup
Players head out to the Canadian Rockies to explore a mountain ecosystem. In this photo safari, players earn points by taking pictures of specific plants and animals.
PBS
Pbs Kids: Plum Landing: Jungle Jeopardy
Try keeping a whole jungle ecosystem alive by making sure each animal has enough food to survive over a period of 12 days. This game allows players to see how the different species of plants and animals in a rainforest depend on one...
PBS
Pbs Kids: Plum Landing: Jungle Rangers
Players head out to Borneo to explore the rainforest in this photo safari. Earn points by following clues to take pictures of specific plants and animals.
Open Curriculum
Open Curriculum: Biomes
This video illustrates the relationship between biomes and climate. [3 min, 38 sec]
PBS
Pbs Teachers:yellowstone: Yellowstone Food Web
Investigate the interdependence of wildlife in the Yellowstone ecosystem and draw an ecosystem showing the interdependence of life forms.
PBS
Nova: Tour Kilimanjaro
Experience six different ecological zones as you climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Pictures of plants living in each of the zones are also part of this virtual tour of the mountain.
Palomar Community College District
Major Biomes of North America
A good review of basic terminology followed by descriptions and pictures of the North American biomes.
Other
World Biomes
World Biomes is a site covering five of the major world biomes: aquatic, desert, forest, grassland, and tundra. It gives information on the various sub-divisions of the biomes and provides numerous images.
Other
Combat Fishing: Ecology of Lakes and Ponds
This site from combat fishing describes the ecology of lakes and ponds for anglers and other fish. It is a very in-depth site with a lot of text, but presented in and easy-to-understand format. The information is very factual and...
Other
Freshwater Ecology
This is a comprehensive and detailed site providing information on aquatic macroinvertebrates. The emphasis is on biomonitoring of water quality through quantitative assessment of numbers and types of small aquatic organisms.
Other
Temperate Forest Organization: Temperate Forest
Provides links to sites such as forestry, population, management, diversity, and fire. There are lesson plans, tours and educational links for teachers.
Morning Earth
Biosphere as Place: Ocean Life Zones
Students investigate the Biology topic of ecosystems. The marine ecosystem tutorial consists of definitions, pictures, and examples of different ocean life zones.