Ecosystems and Adaptations
Invasive Species PBL
Standards Addressed:
The Gwinnett Wildlife Conservation Rangers have come to you with a problem. An invasive species you are an expert on, the snakehead fish, has migrated from Maryland and is now damaging ecosystems throughout the area, specifically the Patrick Pond near Lake Lanier. As a result, native plants and animal populations are decreasing at a rapid rate.
In the role of ecologists, you will investigate ecosystems and the roles of organisms within a community. You will explain various factors that affect the population of native species., by collecting data to show the damage other invasive species have caused to an area. Collaborative teams will create a public awareness campaign (commercial, video, brochure, billboard, etc) about the damage caused by invasive species. You will work with peers to determine the impact of the snakehead fish on the given Patrick Pond and offer possible solutions.
Standards Addressed:
- 15c. predict how changes in the environment affect a community of organisms within an ecosystem (GPS)
- 15d. predict the effect on a population if some of the plants or animals in the community are scarce or too plentiful (GPS)
- 15a. identify the roles of producers consumers and decomposers in a community (GPS)
- 15b. construct a food chain/food web and explain the flow of energy beginning with sunlight and including producers, consumers and decomposers (GPS)
- 16. explain various factors (adaptation, variation, behavior, external features. that affect the survival or extinction of organisms (GPS, ITBS)
- 16a. identify external features of organisms that allow them to grow, survive or reproduce better than organisms that do not have these features (camouflage, use of hibernation, protection methods) (GPS)
- 16b. identify factors that may have led to the extinction of some organisms (GPS)
The Gwinnett Wildlife Conservation Rangers have come to you with a problem. An invasive species you are an expert on, the snakehead fish, has migrated from Maryland and is now damaging ecosystems throughout the area, specifically the Patrick Pond near Lake Lanier. As a result, native plants and animal populations are decreasing at a rapid rate.
In the role of ecologists, you will investigate ecosystems and the roles of organisms within a community. You will explain various factors that affect the population of native species., by collecting data to show the damage other invasive species have caused to an area. Collaborative teams will create a public awareness campaign (commercial, video, brochure, billboard, etc) about the damage caused by invasive species. You will work with peers to determine the impact of the snakehead fish on the given Patrick Pond and offer possible solutions.
Force, Motion, and Simple Machines
PBL/STEM Project: PROBLEM SOLVING WITH FORCE, MOTION, AND SIMPLE MACHINES
Mine Rescue Scenario:
You are part of an engineering team that must learn from the 2010 Chile Mine Rescue to save a new set of 8 miners who have been trapped in a collapse. You must build a lifting device that will use many different simple machines to successfully lower and lift needed supplies and a rescue capsule.
Once your prototype is complete, you will pitch your idea to other engineers and safety experts at the disaster site. Good luck!
Sample Supplies:
You are part of an engineering team that must learn from the 2010 Chile Mine Rescue to save a new set of 8 miners who have been trapped in a collapse. You must build a lifting device that will use many different simple machines to successfully lower and lift needed supplies and a rescue capsule.
- Due to conditions at the work site, your device may not have a base larger than 180 square inches.
- Rations of supplies must be determined based on the recommendations of doctors and nutritionists.
- The lifting system you build must lift the model rescue capsules at least 36 inches off of the ground.
Once your prototype is complete, you will pitch your idea to other engineers and safety experts at the disaster site. Good luck!
Sample Supplies:
- Paper Towel Rolls
- Toilet Paper Rolls
- Kleenex Boxes
- 1 small wooden spool
- 1 larger ribbon spool
- Straws
- Paper Clips
- Water Bottles
- Cardboard Pieces (square)
- Cup (one)
- Yarn
- Tape
Resources for Research
Stars and Solar System
Lesson 1:
Explore: Go to this web site, watch the video, and explore the Inner Planets.Click here ... Inner Planets Then, do the same for the Outer Planets...Outer Planets
You may also use Brain Pop videos as a resources. Brain Pop - Science - Space If you need the username and password, it is palmbeach - palmbeach.
Explain: Complete the Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the inner and outer planets. Make sure to give specific details about each of the eight planets.
Explore: Go to this web site, watch the video, and explore the Inner Planets.Click here ... Inner Planets Then, do the same for the Outer Planets...Outer Planets
You may also use Brain Pop videos as a resources. Brain Pop - Science - Space If you need the username and password, it is palmbeach - palmbeach.
Explain: Complete the Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the inner and outer planets. Make sure to give specific details about each of the eight planets.
Light
Standard -- 12a - identify materials that are transparent, opaque, and translucent (GPS)
- Engage: Go to the links below to learn more about light.
- Explore: Read pages 162 and 163 in your science textbook (see pictures below).
- Answer the following in your science journal:
- Write the definition of transparent, opaque, and translucent on the vocabulary foldable in your science journal.
- List one example of a transparent object.
- List one example of an opaque object.
- List one example of a translucent object.
- Why do opaque objects cast (or make) shadows?
Water, Clouds, and Weather
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