Ecology NGSS Curriculum Bundle
- HS-LS2-1 Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.
- HS-LS2-3 Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for the cycling of matter and flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
- HS-LS2-4 Use mathematical representations to support claims for the cycling of matter and flow of energy among organisms in an ecosystem
- HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
- HS-LS2-6 Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
- HS-LS2-7 Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.*
- HS-LS2-8 Evaluate the evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species’ chances to survive and reproduce.
Good Examples of NGSS Storyline Driven Units
Inquiry Hub Biology by Inquiry Science
- How Do Small Changes Make Big Impacts on Ecosystems?
Bundle that addresses HS-LS2-1, HS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-4 & HS-LS2-6
https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/how-do-small-changes-make-big-impacts-on-ecosystems-part-1 - How Do Small Changes Make Big Impacts on Ecosystems?Bundle that addresses HS-LS2-3, HS-LS2-5, HS-LS2-7, HS-LS1-5, HS-LS1-6, HS-LS1-7, HS-LS1-2
https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/how-do-small-changes-make-big-impacts-on-ecosystems-part-2
Ecology Disrupted by the American Museum of Natural History
- Disruptions in Ecosystems– A case study of the wolves of Yellowstone. A great introductory activity to get students Thinking about interrelationships within an ecosystem. This lesson has been vetted as an EQUIP rated example through the NGSS web site. It is designed as a middle school lesson, but I use it as an introduction to Ecology. https://www.nextgenscience.org/resources/middle-school-disruptions-ecosystems
- The Bighorn Sheep and Their Environment – https://www.amnh.org/learn-teach/curriculum-collections/ecology-disrupted/bighorn-sheep
New Visions Science Storyline Units
- Unit 7 Ecosystems and Invasive Species – Zebra Mussels of the Hudson River
https://curriculum.newvisions.org/science/course/living-environment/ecosystems-and-invasive-species/
Patterns Science – Portland STEM Collaborative
- Matter Energy and Climate Change (Draft) https://sites.google.com/beaverton.k12.or.us/patterns/patterns-biology/unit-6-matter-energy-climate-change
General Resources
Alaska Ecology Resources
- Alaska’s Wild Salmon Teachers Guide (Order student book from ADFG-free for Alaska Students)
- The Salmon Challenge Game
- Alaska’s Wildlife Curriculum
- Alaska’s National Park Service Lessons
- Carbon Footprint for Alaskans (Yupik version available)
- Interdependence Food Chains and Food Webs (Share My Lesson)
Populations
- Misc Lesson Plans
- Human Numbers through Time
- African Lions Modeling(Concord Consortium)
- Tagging Pacific Pelagics
- Wildlife Counts
- Population Growth (human)
- Crossing Borders: Birds Without Borders (Cornell Ornithology)
- Sea Life Center Distance Learning Programs
Ecology Media
- USFWS Alaska Flickr Photo Sharing – https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfws_alaska/collections/
- Encyclopedia of Life
- PBS Learning Media
- Envirolink
- Earth’s Observatory
- HHMi BioInteractive – https://www.biointeractive.org/ – great for phenomena and data driven activities
- Wonder of Science
- NGSS Phenomena
Alaska Data
- Toolik Lake Research Station – https://toolik.alaska.edu/
- GLOBE – https://uaf-iarc.org/engagement/k12-education/globe/
- Alaska Fish Data- https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingcommercialbyarea.interior
- Alaska Science Center – https://www.usgs.gov/centers/asc/data-tools
- Ecosystem Research in Alaska – https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/ecosystems/ecosystem-research-alaska
- Alaska Ocean Observing System – https://aoos.org/aoos-data-resources/
- Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy – https://uaf-accap.org/
Citizen Science in Alaska
- GLOBE – https://www.globe.gov/do-globe/measurement-campaigns/past-projects/earth-as-a-system-projects/seasons-and-biomes Seasons and Biomes
- Bonanza Creek LTER – https://www.lter.uaf.edu/outreach/arctic-earth
- Winterberry Project – https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/winterberry/home
- Arctic Earth Signs- https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/arcticandearthsigns/
- Permafrost Outreach – http://ine.uaf.edu/werc/projects/permafrost/
- Fresh Eyes on Ice – http://fresheyesonice.org/
