Population Explosion is a computer simulation which allows students to manipulate factors …
Population Explosion is a computer simulation which allows students to manipulate factors to see what happens over time to a population of sheep within an enclosed field. As the simulation runs, a graph shows the dynamic relationship between the sheep population size and their primary food resource, grass. Students can control factors such as initial number of sheep, grass regrowth rate, gain from food, and birthrate. Predation is represented by a reaper button which may also be controlled. The speed of the simulation can be set so that students can see more clearly what happens over time, or collect data more quickly, depending on how fast the simulation runs. Directions and a suggested simulation sequence are provided along with prompts so that students can pause and consider their results. A space within the simulation is provided for students to record observations and answers to the prompts. For each step in this suggested sequence, students take a snapshot of graphs they have created and store them in an album. At the end of the activity analysis questions help students connect the activity to wild populations. An optional extension exercise is also suggested.
In this video adapted from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, learn about …
In this video adapted from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, learn about the prairie dog, the importance of its role in its ecosystem, and how it is affected by an ever-growing human population.
What effect do interactions between species have on the sizes of the …
What effect do interactions between species have on the sizes of the populations involved? Learn about the dynamics of predator and prey populations, and how they can influence one another’s patterns of growth and decline.
How can public sculpture reflect our interdependence with nature? This portion of …
How can public sculpture reflect our interdependence with nature? This portion of the Public Sculpture module explains how artists heighten public awareness of ecological issues.
Students become familiar with the online Renewable Energy Living Lab interface and …
Students become familiar with the online Renewable Energy Living Lab interface and access its real-world solar energy data to evaluate the potential for solar generation in various U.S. locations. They become familiar with where the most common sources of renewable energy are distributed across the U.S. Through this activity, students and teachers gain familiarity with the living lab's GIS graphic interface and query functions, and are exposed to the available data in renewable energy databases, learning how to query to find specific information for specific purposes. The activity is intended as a "training" activity prior to conducting activities such as The Bright Idea activity, which includes a definitive and extensive end product (a feasibility plan) for students to create.
This video segment from Kentucky Life describes how scientists control pollination of …
This video segment from Kentucky Life describes how scientists control pollination of one of the few remaining American chestnut trees to develop blight resistant trees.
Students build on their understanding and feel for flow rates, as gained …
Students build on their understanding and feel for flow rates, as gained from the associated Faucet Flow Rate activity, to estimate the flow rate of a local river. The objective is to be able to relate laboratory experiment results to the environment. They use the U.S. Geological Survey website (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt) to determine the actual flow rate data for their river, and compare their estimates to the actual flow rate. For this activity to be successful, choose a nearby river and take a field trip or show a video so students gain a visual feel for the flow of the nearby river.
In this video segment adapted from Northwest Indian College, Lummi Elders explain …
In this video segment adapted from Northwest Indian College, Lummi Elders explain how a decline in the availability of salmon reflects a threatened environment that must in some way be protected.
Students build a saltwater circuit, which is an electrical circuit that uses …
Students build a saltwater circuit, which is an electrical circuit that uses saltwater as part of the circuit. Students investigate the conductivity of saltwater, and develop an understanding of how the amount of salt in a solution impacts how much electrical current flows through the circuit. They learn about one real-world application of a saltwater circuit — as a desalination plant tool to test for the removal of salt from ocean water.
This animation adapted from NASA shows the orbital paths of spacecraft in …
This animation adapted from NASA shows the orbital paths of spacecraft in NASA's Earth Observing Fleet that are a source of wide-scale, primary research about Earth.
In this video segment adapted from the College of Menominee Nation, tribal …
In this video segment adapted from the College of Menominee Nation, tribal members share examples of how seasons are changing, and how these changes are affecting local plants.
Students will design a method that applies various chemistry techniques to separate …
Students will design a method that applies various chemistry techniques to separate a mixture by physical means to simulate how a scientist would mitigate contamination in a stream due to run-off.
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