Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Lesson 7: Observations Across Habitats
How are animals in separate but nearby habitats related? Ecology scholars compare the animal inhabitants of the Gorongosa National Park in part seven of an eight-part series. Learners study photos from two different habitats, then...
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Biome Exchange: Send the Stuff Not The Kids
Young scholars exchange information with students from various geographic biomes. They explore the unique ecologically significant features of the biomes and share with other young scholars.
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Water Quality
Students play the role of scientists testing for water quality in the area. In this ecology lesson, students determine the water sample's pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. They write a journal reflection after the activity.
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Flowers and Pollination
Students explore the environment by researching plant reproduction. For this pollination lesson, students define botany related vocabulary terms such as disc flower, petal and fertilization. Students dissect a flower with their...
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Michigan Ecosystems: The Web They Weave
Students examine the forest ecosystem and how all life in the forest depends upon itself. In this ecological lesson, students participate in a personal connections activity where someone pulls on a string and everyone feels it,...
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Great Lakes Ecology
Eighth graders identify the Great Lakes, and describe the habitat of life of a loon. They are able to point to and explain one of the major river systems that enters the Great Lakes with a focus on the Clinton River and the food webs...
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Strands Walk-An Ecological Obseravtion
In this ecosystem worksheet, students investigate an ecosystem at a local park or national forest, they make observations for five minutes, they complete a grid of their observations and they construct a hypothetical food chain. Students...
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Non Native Species: English Ivy-Landscape Plant or Deadly Killer?
Students study the impact that invasive species have on biodiversity and more natural areas.
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Ecology of the Savanna-Forest Boundaries in Central Brazil
Students explore photosynthesis. In this photosynthesis lesson, students label parts of photosynthesis and take notes. Students conduct experiments on leaves, make observations and record their findings.
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Powdery Mildew Fungi: Classification and Ecology
Students use a written key or illustrated key to identify fungi on plant leaves into its genus based on sexual or asexual reproduction, host range diversity, and host-parasite relationships.
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Succession in a Jar
In this succession worksheet, students build an ecosystem using a jar, water, bird seed, soil and a water plant. They predict what their ecosystem will look like in 3 weeks and draw a diagram. Students record their data over the course...
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The Biogeochemical Cycles
The majority of this presentation is a collection of diagrams and graphs that back your lecture on biogeochemical cycles. The last few slides define ecosystems and the Gaia hypothesis. You may find these slides valuable, but will...
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
Succession: Patterns in the Field and in Seeds
Have you been wondering how to use that natural trail at or near your school? This activity gets kids outside with a purpose: learn about ecological succession through field observations and collecting seed and soil samples. The resource...
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WET Science Lesson #11: How Light Affects Water
Scientists listen to the story of Wadja Egnankou who works to save African mangrove forests. They experiment with refraction and the introduction of particulate matter to water. They conclude with creative writing about the need for a...
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Biodiversity Debate - Stream Side Science
Role play community members who are both for and against the construction of a dam. Research the pros and cons and then hold a classroom debate. This activity ideally follows a series of stream studies, links to which are included. Use...
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Ecosystems - Plants and Animals Together
Students study the biotic and abiotic factors of an environment. For this exploratory lesson students examine the different trophic levels and how organisms are connected.
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Pollen & Pollination
Young scholars identify the different ways things are pollinated and how to manage pollen. In this pollination lesson students complete an experiment on how moths pollinate flowers.
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Biotechnology
Learners explore biotechnology through various activities. In this biology lesson, students analyze its pros and cons. They study and read informative articles about biotechnology.
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Food Webs
Learners recognize interdependence in a food web by using yarn and notecards to create a food web and discussing what would happen if one of the organisms from a certain trophic level is removed.
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Phytoremediation
Students participate in a lab designed to facilitate the clean up and remove of substances ranging from heavy metals to dynamite. They focus on the remediation of copper. They discuss their results of this open ended inquiry experiment.
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Eyes on the Estuaries
Students study estuaries and compare several ones in the U.S. In this estuary activity students interpret data and compare the distribution of different species.
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Aquatic Habitat Water Quality Experiment
Fifth graders discuss the importance of water quality for humans and fish and make predictions about what happens to water that is polluted. In small groups, they conduct experiments to compare and contrast water that is unpolluted and...
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Phytoplankton
In this phytoplankton activity, students read and study online information on plankton blooms to answer 8 short answer questions about the topic.
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Nature Squares
In this nature observation worksheet, learners set up a grid on a small plot of land and record all biotic and abiotic items in the grid. They complete 5 short answer questions based on their observations.