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SB5be _Sharks 3-D Performance Assessment DBW

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How Stable is Your Food Web? Card Sort and Lesson

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How Stable is Your Food Web? Card Sort and Lesson

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Could you describe the kelp forest food web as a system? Your students will design and use a simple model to test cause and effect relationships or interactions concerning the functioning of a marine food web, ranking their hypothetical ecosystems according to their stability when faced with a natural or man-made disturbance.

This interactive lesson will demonstrate the difference between "rotation" and "orbit."

In this role-playing skit your students will describe the various processes of the water cycle in the Amazon.

How does the finite amount of carbon on this planet move around in the environment, from one place to another?

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Could you describe the kelp forest food web as a system?

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Kelp Forest has a good card sort task

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How do changes in the ecosystem effect the community? Enter a kelp forest and explore the various threads that connect species together in food webs.

A Video with a Problem-Solving Scenario

In addition to showcasing live footage from a unique ecosystem, each of the three videos in the Exploring Ecosystems series features an opportunity for students to actively participate in a problem-solving scenario based on an ongoing research project of an Academy scientist.

As you watch the video, be prepared to pause at key points to participate fully!
The Coastal Food Web video investigates the following questions:

How do you predict the effects of a change in the community's populations on the community as a whole?

How will a change in an ecosystem affect energy flow, nutrient cycling, population growth, or community structure?

How will loss of an organism from a food chain or web affect flow of energy?

Check for Understanding

Describe two concrete examples of community interactions, being sure to describe the relationships between species.

Key Scientific Terms

community: two or more different species occupying the same geographical area and interacting in some way

ecosystem: the community of different species in a particular geographic area and all of their interactions with each other and the physical environment; ecosystems are also called ecological networks

herbivore: an animal that eats plants; also called a primary consumer

population: all the individuals of a particular species that live in a specific geographic area; a species may be made up of one or more populations

predator: an organism that hunts, catches, kills, and eats other animals

prey: an organism that is caught, killed and eaten by a predator

species: a distinct type of organism

Remember: Food Webs are Dynamic

There are many different ways the removal of sea otters could impact species in the food web featured in the video. The example shown is meant to represent just one of those potential trophic cascade scenarios.

When discussing with your students, encourage them to think about the complexity of food webs, which are formed and impacted by a multitude of abiotic and biotic factors. As such, each time the system is disturbed, a different result may occur. That's not to say scientists can't make conclusions based on data, such as the classic example presented in this video: when a top predator like the sea otter is removed we know that sea urchin populations explode and their predation reduces kelp populations.

If you'd like to know more about the example shown in the video, check out this scientific paper by Steneck et al., which Academy educators used as a reference for the content in the video.

Connections to High School Standards

AP Biology

LO 4.13: The student is able to predict the effects of a change in the community's populations on the community.

(1) Interpreting graphs and other quantitative data that represent community and ecosystem interactions.

(2) Reading curves that represent community interactions (e.g., predator-prey) and using them to infer relationships between species.

(1) Working with ecological models and using them to predict how a change in an ecosystem will affect energy flow, nutrient cycling, population growth, or community structure.

(2) Predicting how loss of an organism from a food chain or web will affect flow of energy.

Next Generation Science Standards

DCI: LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience

Crosscutting Concepts: Energy and Matter; Stability and Change; Systems and System Models

S cience and Engineering Practices: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Using Models

Trek through a tropical rainforest and explore the incredible diversity of species that call it home.

Dive beneath the ocean waves and explore the unique and diverse relationships found on a coral reef.

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Enter a kelp forest and explore the various threads that connect species together in food webs.

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Check out the guidance for the steps to designing a coherent NGSS aligned storyline. Explore unpacking, identifying phenomena, and sequencing investigations to help students build science ideas, step by step.

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Includes an HHMI Case on the Serengenti

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This interactive simulation allows students to explore two classic mathematical models that describe how populations change over time: the exponential and logistic growth models.

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Population Regulation in the Serengeti (HHMI)

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Population Regulation in the Serengeti (HHMI)

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In this activity, students learn about the factors that regulate the population sizes of wildebeest and buffalo in Serengeti National Park. Throughout the activity, students watch clips from the short film Serengeti: Nature's Living Laboratory featuring scientists involved in this research. They also examine and analyze authentic scientific data for these populations.

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Role of Keystone Species in an Ecosystem

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Role of Keystone Species in an Ecosystem

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The entire concept of keystone species was founded on research surrounding the influence of a marine predator on its environment. American zoology professor Robert T. Paine's research showed that removing a single species, the Pisaster ochraceus sea star, from a tidal plain on Tatoosh Island in the U.S. state of Washington, had a huge effect on the ecosystem. Pisaster ochraceus, commonly known as purple sea stars, are a major predator of mussels and barnacles on Tatoosh Island. With the sea stars gone, mussels took over the area and crowded out other species, including benthic algae that supported communities of sea snails, limpets, and bivalves. Lacking a keystone species, the tidal plain's biodiversity was cut in half within a year.

When the U.S. government designated land for Yellowstone National Park in the late 19th century, hundreds of wolves roamed the GYE, preying primarily on abundant herds of elk and bison. Fearing the wolves' impact on those herds, as well as local livestock, governments at the local, state, and federal level worked to eradicate wolves from the GYE. The last remaining wolf pups in Yellowstone were killed in 1924.

The physical geography of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem was also impacted by the loss of wolves and subsequent elk overgrazing. Stream banks eroded as wetland plants failed to anchor valuable soil and sediments. Lake and river temperatures increased as trees and shrubs failed to provide shaded areas.

Starting in the 1990s, the U.S. government began reintroducing wolves to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The results have been noteworthy. Elk populations have shrunk, willow heights have increased, and beaver and songbird populations have recovered.
Herbivores
Herbivores can also be keystone species. Their consumption of plants helps control the physical and biological aspects of an ecosystem.

In the woody grasslands of Patagonia (at the southern tip of South America) a species of hummingbird and indigenous plants act together as keystone mutualists. Local trees, shrubs, and flowering plants have evolved to only be pollinated by Sephanoides sephanoides, a hummingbird known as the green-backed firecrown. Green-backed firecrowns pollinate 20% of local plant species. In turn, these plants provide the sugary nectar that makes up most of the hummingbird's diet.

Pockets of the existing Patagonian habitat would collapse without green-backed firecrowns, because their functional redundancy is nearly zero-no other pollinator has adapted to pollinate these plants.
Other Organisms Crucial to Ecosystems
In addition to keystone species, there are other categories of organisms crucial to their ecosystems' survival.

Umbrella species have large habitat needs, and the requirements of that habitat impact many other species living there. Most umbrella species are migratory, and their range may include different habitat types.

The identification of an umbrella species can be an important aspect of conservation. The minimum species range of an umbrella species is often the basis for establishing the size of a protected area.

Foundation species play a major role in creating or maintaining a habitat.

Coral reefs are one of the most vibrant and biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. Microscopic plankton, as well as crustaceans, mollusks, sponges, fish, and marine reptiles and mammals, are all part of healthy coral reef ecosystems.

Like foundation species, ecosystem engineers contribute to the physical geography of their habitat. Ecosystem engineers modify, create, and maintain habitats.

Autogenic engineers modify their environment by modifying their own biology. Corals and trees are autogenic engineers. As they grow, they are a living part of the environment, providing food and shelter to other organisms. (The hard exoskeletons left as corals die, continue to define and modify the ecosystem.)

Invasive species are often ecosystem engineers. Lacking natural predators or abiotic factors to constrain them, these introduced species modify the existing environment in ways that inhibit the growth of the indigenous ecosystem.

Kudzu, the so-called "vine that ate the South," is an invasive species of plant that modified the environment of the southeastern United States. Kudzu regularly outcompetes native species for space and nutrients. As it crowds out native species, kudzu limits the pollinators, insects, and bird species that inhabit an area.

An indicator species describes an organism that is very sensitive to environmental changes in its ecosystem. Indicator species are almost immediately affected by changes to the ecosystem and can give early warning that a habitat is suffering.

A flagship species acts as a symbol for an environmental habitat, movement, campaign, or issue. They can be mascots for entire ecosystems.

Flagship species can sometimes be symbols of general ideas about conservation, not representatives of specific ecosystems. However, specific issues are often associated with a specific animal. The movement to end seal hunting in the Arctic found its flagship species in the juvenile harp seal. Polar bears are the unchallenged flagship species associated with climate change.

The giant panda is perhaps the most familiar flagship species. Pandas are the global symbol of endangered species and the value of captive breeding.

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Role of Keystone Species in an Ecosystem | National Geographic Society

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The entire concept of keystone species was founded on research surrounding the influence of a marine predator on its environment. American zoology professor Robert T. Paine's research showed that removing a single species, the Pisaster ochraceus sea star, from a tidal plain on Tatoosh Island in the U.S.

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Solutions to Human Impact HIPPO Performance Task

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Solutions to Human Impact HIPPO Performance Task

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SB5d Human Impact HIPPO Five Ways to Slow Hippo

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SB5de Project Human Impact on Biodiversity

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Human Activities that Affecdt Biodiversity

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Human Activities that Affecdt Biodiversity

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Human activities that threaten biodiversity

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The New Way Microplastics Are Devastating Marine Life

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Cycling of Microplastics Performance Task

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Cycling of Microplastics Performance Task

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SB5b Cycling Microplastics Biomass & Trophic Levels

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Photosynthesis in plants and a few bacteria is responsible for feeding nearly all life on Earth. It allows energy from the Sun to be converted into a storable form, usually glucose, which plants use to grow and thrive. Photosynthesis also generates the oxygen that animals need to survive. And we animals repay the favor: We exhale the carbon dioxide that plants need for photosynthesis. Here, take a closer look at the oxygen/carbon dioxide cycle and the process of photosynthesis.

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Photosynthesis in plants and a few bacteria is responsible for feeding nearly all life on Earth. It allows energy from the Sun to be converted into a storable form, usually glucose, which plants use to grow and thrive. Photosynthesis also generates the oxygen that animals need to survive.

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Editor's Note: We're excited to feature a series of video blog posts filmed at HHMI. Below is the first installment of this series.

In an effort to make the fundamental shift to three-dimensional learning, Jason Crean began a working group that would create coherent storyline units around engaging, real world phenomena. Starting with teachers from five Chicago-area school districts, the group quickly grew, involving teachers from more than 100 schools who came together monthly to collaborate. The goal was to create coherent, phenomenon-driven units that would incorporate multiple performance expectations across the four Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Life Science Standards.

Integrating HHMI BioInteractive resources was paramount in these storylines as their activities make effective use of real world phenomena that both engage students and provide strong, impactful contexts. Three-dimensional learning integrates the disciplinary core ideas, the science practices, and the crosscutting concepts as prescribed by the NGSS. In order to better bring these different concepts together, storylines that build coherence by allowing students to make meaningful connections between traditionally isolated ideas have been created so that students can make sense of how the natural world works. For example, storylines have been written to include the phenomenon of elephant tusklessness, allowing students to not only see how this trait occurs genetically but also how elephants serve as a keystone species — and how humans have acted as the selective pressure on elephant populations through poaching.

Find our storylines at https://ilscience.org/Storyline.

Jason Crean teaches biology at Lyons Township High School in Western Springs, IL, and undergraduate biology and education courses at St. Xavier University in Chicago. Kathy Van Hoeck recently retired from York High School in Elmhurst, IL, and taught biology for 25 years, including AP Biology, Genetics, Medical Careers, and freshman Honors Biology. She has also taught Anatomy and Physiology at the college level. Michele Koehler teaches AP Biology and Honors Biology at Riverside-Brookfield High School in Brookfield, IL.

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This video blog post features three Chicago-area educators describing how they integrated BioInteractive resources into coherent storyline units built around engaging, real world phenomena that incorporate multiple NGSS performance expectations - including a link to the storylines they've written!

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Data Nuggets - real world problems with data

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Data Nuggets - real world problems with data

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Data Nuggets | Bringing authentic research and data into K-16 classrooms

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Free activities that bring real scientific data into the classroom, guiding students through the process of science while building their quantitative abilities.

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HHMI Biointeractive Resources - great labs with data sets!

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HHMI Biointeractive Resources - great labs with data sets!

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In this activity, students further explore the short film Popped Secret: The Mysterious Origin of Corn, by working through the mathematical concepts behind George Beadle's claim that teosinte is the wild ancestor of maize.

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Empowering Educators. Inspiring Students. Real science, real stories, and real data to engage students in exploring the living world.

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There is a series of storyline lessons for biology. Click on the title of the storyline for the calendar and lessons.

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Nutrient Cycles in the Serengetti (HHMI)

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Nutrient Cycles in the Serengetti (HHMI)

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In this activity, students engage with an example from the Serengeti ecosystem to illustrate the exchange of nutrients between plants, animals, and the environment.

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Some Animals are More Equal than Others: Keystone Species and Trophic Cascades

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Some Animals are More Equal than Others: Keystone Species and Trophic Cascades

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Some Animals Are More Equal than Others: Keystone Species and Trophic Cascades

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Store photos and docs online. Access them from any PC, Mac or phone. Create and work together on Word, Excel or PowerPoint documents.

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Phenomena, lessons, assessments, etc

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The Wonder of Science was created to support the next generation of science teachers. All of the resources are licensed under Creative Commons licensing.

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Dear Teacher of Science, Thank you for continuing to support your students during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Below is a link to ideas on ways to engage your students as they learn from home through your thoughtful guidance. Investigations Beyond the Classroom

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You have access to a limited number of these is you are not a member of NSTA

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Daily Dos are sensemaking tasks teachers and parents can use to engage their students in authentic, relevant science learning.

Students actively try to figure out how the world works (science) or how to design solutions to problems (engineering) using the science and engineering practices. Engaging in these practices requires that students be part of a learning community, of classmates or family, to be able to share and evaluate ideas, give and receive critique, and reach consensus.

Check out how to connect these lessons to support students' in developing the targeted science ideas

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Daily Dos are sensemaking tasks teachers and parents can use to engage their students in authentic, relevant science learning. Students actively try to figure out how the world works (science) or how to design solutions to problems (engineering) using the science and engineering practices.

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This can be used as an anchoring phenomena. How can so many predators live together? Discussing shark sightings along the coast is another great way to start this lesson.

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Sharks! Predators of the Deep | Live from Georgia Aquarium | Webcam

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Georgia Aquarium's newest gallery, Sharks! Predators of the Deep®, is one of the largest and most dynamic shark exhibits in North America.

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Review the OCEARCH Tracker - What do you notice? What do you wonder?

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Review the OCEARCH Tracker - What do you notice? What do you wonder?

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OCEARCH is a data-centric organization built to help scientists collect previously unattainable data in the ocean.

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Before the lab, show students the first 2 minutes of the video.  After the lesson and discussion, show the rest of the video.

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Before the lab, show students the first 2 minutes of the video.  After the lesson and discussion, show the rest of the video.

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Exploring Ecosystems: Coastal Food Webs | California Academy of Sciences

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Georgia Science Teachers Association - GSE Phenomena

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communications@georgiascienceteacher.org if you have any questions about this resource.

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Small Group Task KCal Cash version for copy - Linked to Storyline .pptx

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Store photos and docs online. Access them from any PC, Mac or phone. Create and work together on Word, Excel or PowerPoint documents.

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Work together as a group to complete the board using the data in the PPT

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Work together as a group to complete the board using the data in the PPT

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Post completed board on the Padlet (+)

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Complete the Google form after "Life as a Hunter" team task

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Complete the Google form after "Life as a Hunter" team task

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You can create your own forms at the original Storyline Lesson

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Using what you figured out in Part II of Life as a Hunter, enter your data below so it can be compiled by your teacher and shared with your class.

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ISTA Africa Storyline

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ISTA Africa Storyline - save your own copy

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Small Group Task KCal Cash version for copy - Linked to Storyline 

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Lulu the Lion: parentage, genetics, and observations

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Lulu the Lion: parentage, genetics, and observations

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ISTA Africa Storyline

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Animal Nutrition

Different animal species have adapted to a wide variety of diets in order to occupy niches in their communities. Much can be learned through comparative anatomy, by looking at how each species' digestive system is structured. Zoos are storehouses of information when it comes to studying the very best in animal nutrition. In this activity, you will make observations of different animal morphologies, form hypotheses about what role the species plays in the food web, and design a biologically appropriate diet for a select species based on its own dietary needs.

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Animal Nutrition Different animal species have adapted to a wide variety of diets in order to occupy niches in their communities. Much can be learned through comparative anatomy, by looking at how each species' digestive system is structured. Zoos are storehouses of information when it comes to studying the very best in animal nutrition.

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click on the lower right corner

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ISTA Africa Storyline

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Parentage and Geography:

Lulu The Lion - A Heroine's Story

Lions as a highly social animal present a number of issues when it comes to knowing parentage: there can be multiple males in a group mating with many of the females, females raise the young of other pride members, and fringe males can engage in sneak matings with females that are not part of their pride. With all of this gene flow, it is difficult to know who really is mom and dad! In this activity, you will be presented with several data sets in order to determine paternity and maternity for a set of cubs who were observed over a period of time.

African lions, Panthera leo, live in groups called prides that consists of a male or males who control the territory and a group of females who provide food for the pride and raise the cubs. When a pride is taken over by a new pride master, this new male will often eliminate the cubs so that he can replace them with cubs he himself has produced. As a top predator, this carnivore typically hunts in groups to take down larger prey like the many ungulate herbivores that call the savanna home.

Zoo Genetics Section 11 Lions

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Lions as a highly social animal present a number of issues when it comes to knowing parentage: there can be multiple males in a group mating with many of the females, females raise the young of other pride members, and fringe males can engage in sneak matings with females that are not part of their pride.

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ISTA Africa Storyline