Real World Ecosystems
Introduction
In this program, learners explore ecosystems, cycles of matter, and how to make changes to our ecological footprint.
Relevant Topics
natural systems, ecosystem, photosynthesis, energy, energy flow, energy transformation, energy storage, energy consumption, food, plants, ecology, solar energy
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- Learn about ecosystems, cycles of matter and ecological footprint
- Understand how environmental monitoring data is used to make predictions about the ecological health of ecosystems
- Define various benefits of ecosystems
- Explore how our actions impact our ecological footprint
Real World Ecosystems Activities
Ecosystem Basics
Length of Time: 3 hours
Monitoring Ecosystems
This activity provides two important activity modes, the first being a background reading, the second, an exercise in summarizing and analyzing environmental data. The backgrounder provides essential foundational knowledge about the main topic (environmental monitoring). The activity that follows tests learners’ comprehension of the ideas in the backgrounder and allows them to apply this understanding using a realistic example
Length of Time: 1.5 hours to build + 3 weeks to observe
Ecosystem in a Bottle
This activity encourages learners to observe an ecosystem by having them observe and investigate a class bottle biosphere. The investigation will allow students to make connections between the bottle and the Earth as a whole unit and ecosystem. The lesson is not dependent upon success in creating a thriving bottle, as a dying bottle may create more discussion than a successful one.
Length of Time: 2.5 hours
Ecosystem Benefits
The watershed activity challenges learners to visualize and ecosystem through a special representation, namely a map. By examining information about a local or familiar landmark, this activity also enables learners to transfer their theoretical understanding of ecosystem services and benefits to the real world in which they live.
Cycles and Interactions
Length of Time: 3 hours
Monitoring Ecosystems
This activity provides two important activity modes, the first being a background reading, the second, an exercise in summarizing and analyzing environmental data. The backgrounder provides essential foundational knowledge about the main topic (environmental monitoring). The activity that follows tests learners’ comprehension of the ideas in the backgrounder and allows them to apply this understanding using a realistic example
Length of Time: 1.5 hours to build + 3 weeks to observe
Ecosystem in a Bottle
This activity encourages learners to observe an ecosystem by having them observe and investigate a class bottle biosphere. The investigation will allow students to make connections between the bottle and the Earth as a whole unit and ecosystem. The lesson is not dependent upon success in creating a thriving bottle, as a dying bottle may create more discussion than a successful one.
Length of Time: 2.5 hours
Ecosystem Benefits
The watershed activity challenges learners to visualize and ecosystem through a special representation, namely a map. By examining information about a local or familiar landmark, this activity also enables learners to transfer their theoretical understanding of ecosystem services and benefits to the real world in which they live.
Balance & Change in Ecosystem
Length of Time: 3 hours
Monitoring Ecosystems
This activity provides two important activity modes, the first being a background reading, the second, an exercise in summarizing and analyzing environmental data. The backgrounder provides essential foundational knowledge about the main topic (environmental monitoring). The activity that follows tests learners’ comprehension of the ideas in the backgrounder and allows them to apply this understanding using a realistic example
Length of Time: 1.5 hours to build + 3 weeks to observe
Ecosystem in a Bottle
This activity encourages learners to observe an ecosystem by having them observe and investigate a class bottle biosphere. The investigation will allow students to make connections between the bottle and the Earth as a whole unit and ecosystem. The lesson is not dependent upon success in creating a thriving bottle, as a dying bottle may create more discussion than a successful one.
Length of Time: 2.5 hours
Ecosystem Benefits
The watershed activity challenges learners to visualize and ecosystem through a special representation, namely a map. By examining information about a local or familiar landmark, this activity also enables learners to transfer their theoretical understanding of ecosystem services and benefits to the real world in which they live.
Decision Making & Change
Length of Time: 3 hours
Monitoring Ecosystems
This activity provides two important activity modes, the first being a background reading, the second, an exercise in summarizing and analyzing environmental data. The backgrounder provides essential foundational knowledge about the main topic (environmental monitoring). The activity that follows tests learners’ comprehension of the ideas in the backgrounder and allows them to apply this understanding using a realistic example
Length of Time: 1.5 hours to build + 3 weeks to observe
Ecosystem in a Bottle
This activity encourages learners to observe an ecosystem by having them observe and investigate a class bottle biosphere. The investigation will allow students to make connections between the bottle and the Earth as a whole unit and ecosystem. The lesson is not dependent upon success in creating a thriving bottle, as a dying bottle may create more discussion than a successful one.
Length of Time: 2.5 hours
Ecosystem Benefits
The watershed activity challenges learners to visualize and ecosystem through a special representation, namely a map. By examining information about a local or familiar landmark, this activity also enables learners to transfer their theoretical understanding of ecosystem services and benefits to the real world in which they live.
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