HS-LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
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Microbe Lab - Examine a pond water ecosystem Free Lesson Plan
Lab
Students examine pond water to determine abiotic factors (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH) and biotic factors (microorganisms).NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-7
HS-LS4-6
MS-LS2-5 (Biodiversity)
Published by Shannan Muskopf
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Microbe Lab - Biodiversity of Ponds Free Lesson Plan
Lab
Students will observe and record data from 3 samples of pond water. Students will identify organisms (protists, arthropods..etc) and numbers of organisms in each. Students will prepare a report that discusses the biodiversity of each sample.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-7
HS-LS4-6
MS-LS1-4 (Animal Plant Structures)
MS-LS2-5 (Biodiversity)
Published by Shannan Muskopf
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Ecosystem Worksheet Free Lesson Plan (PDF)
Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
Worksheet
In this ecosystem worksheet, students are introduced to ecosystem stability and the factors that contribute to ecosystem stability. Students are also introduced to the different types of terrestrial ecosystems.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-2
HS-LS2-6
MS-LS2-2 (Interactions Across Multiple Ecosystems)
MS-LS2-4 (Ecosystem Affect on Populations)
Published by NGSS Life Science
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Expressing Ideas for Patterns in Ecosystems Worksheet Free Student Handout
Free Multimedia
Free Student Handout
Free Lesson Plan
Worksheet
In this ecosystem worksheet, students ask questions about changes to matter and energy in a grassland ecosystem.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-1
HS-LS2-6
MS-LS2-1 (Resource Availability)
Published by Carbon TIME
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Population Growth Worksheet Free Lesson Plan (PDF)
Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
Worksheet
In this population growth worksheet, students will build their vocabulary about density-dependent limiting factors and density-independent limiting factors that affect population growth and carrying capacity. The focus of this worksheet is for students to provide definitions for the vocabulary words and compare and contrast density-dependent factors and density-independent limiting factors.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-1
HS-LS2-2
HS-LS2-6
MS-LS2-4 (Ecosystem Affect on Populations)
Published by NGSS Life Science
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What is Life Worksheet - Frozen Frog Free Lesson Plan (PDF)
Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
Worksheet
This is a great twist on an interesting fact that wood frogs can freeze in the winter and thaw in the spring to resume living. Students will evaluate claims and evidence on if a frozen frog is alive. This worksheet helps students to build their claim evidence and reasoning skills.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-6
Published by NGSS Life Science
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Environmental Science Question Bank Free Lesson Plan (PDF)
Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
Test
Question bank to build assessments. An active membership is required to view questions.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-7
HS-LS4-6
Published by NGSS Life Science
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Ecosystem Stability Test Question Bank Free Lesson Plan (PDF)
Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
Test
Question bank to build assessments. An active membership is required to view questions.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-1
HS-LS2-2
HS-LS2-6
Published by NGSS Life Science
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California’s Energy Initiative Free Video
Multimedia
California looks into developing clean energy to supply its needs. Economics, environmental science, politics, and electricity generation topics are covered.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-7
HS-LS4-6
Published by WGBH Educational Foundation
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Particulates in the Air Lab Free Lesson Plan
Lab
Students put Petroleum jelly on microscope slides to collect air particulates at different locations. Students then discuss the likely sources of the particulates.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-7
HS-LS4-6
Published by Stephen Levine
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Population Growth Rates Lab Free Lesson Plan (PDF)
Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
Lab
A fun predator prey activity that focuses on removal of a limiting factor and how that affects the resilience of the prey population and its environment. Students participate in an activity that models a population of rabbits. Students learn how density-dependent factors affect a population size.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-1
HS-LS2-2
HS-LS2-6
MS-LS2-4 (Ecosystem Affect on Populations)
Published by NGSS Life Science
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Examining the Stages in Ecological Succession Free Lesson Plan
Worksheet
Students analyze how a pond changes and answer questions based upon the pictures of the pond.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-2
HS-LS2-6
MS-LS2-4 (Ecosystem Affect on Populations)
Published by Shannan Muskopf
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Populations & Ecosystem Stability Lab Free Lesson Plan (PDF)
Lesson Plan (DOCX) & Answer Key with Membership
Lab
In this population and ecosystem stability lab, students participate in an activity that models predator-prey and how resilient a population can be when limiting factors are introduced or removed. Students will model biotic and abiotic factors and how those factors affect population size. At the end of the experiment, students will make a population growth graph based on the experiment and calculate the growth rate through many generations.NGSS Standard
HS-LS2-1
HS-LS2-2
HS-LS2-6
Published by NGSS Life Science