Ecology Unit Stem Project

ECOLOGY UNIT STEM PROJECT

TEAM NAMES: ______

Day 1: Explore the Outdoor Classroom. Generate 10 questions that you have about the area. Turn in your list for lab credit. (teacher sign off) [10 pts]

Day 2: Look at your list of questions. Identify 2 – 3 of those questions that could be tested by experimentation. To narrow your list, ask, is this a comparison questions? Can we collect data that can be compared? Visit the websites below to help narrow your questions.

Research:

Wildohio.org

Ohiodnr.com (natural areas)

Day 3: Narrow your question down to ONE! Submit this question to your teacher. [10 pts]

Once your question has been approved, you will have 5 class days to conduct your research & collect data. See below:

Inquiry Research design:

• Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations;

• Design and conduct scientific investigations;

Make a list of materials you will need.

Write out your procedures, step by step.

PREDICT what results you expect to get (hypothesis).

• Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications;

Collect data (take pictures to verify you did the research).

Use Excel or some other data processor to create charts/graphs that illustrate data

• Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence (critical thinking);

Use the appropriate vocabulary words to describe the results and state whether or not your hypothesis was supported or rejected. This is a written paper. Please use computer to type this report.

• Recognize and analyze explanations and models; and

• Communicate and support a scientific argument.

Prepare a class presentation to share your project. Use powerpoint or prezi. Include your pictures, graphs and conclusions.

Project Rubric:270- 280 rubric points = A: 230-260=B, 190 – 220 = C, 160 – 180 = D, 150 below = F

40 / 30 / 20 / 10 / 0
Question & hypothesis well stated / Question & hypothesis stated, vocab. error / Question or hypothesis not complete sentence / Question or hypothesis missing / Didn't do it
Complete materials list / Missed one item on list / Missed 2 items on list / Missed 3 or more items on list / Didn't do it
Detailed, easy to follow procedures / Missed one step / Missed 2 steps / Missed 3 or more steps / Didn't do it
Data number & pictures for all steps / Missing one / Missing 2 / Missing 3 or more / Didn't do it
Graphs/charts complete / One error / 2 errors / 3 or more errors / Didn't do it
Conclusion one page, complete use of vocabulary / Conclusion one page, missing some key terms / Conclusion less than one page, missing some key terms / Conclusion barely touches the entire project / Didn't do it
6 or more PPt slides or prezi links / 4-5 ppt slides/links / 2-3 ppt slides/links / 1 slide/link / Didn't do it

Vocabulary Focus

Ecology Vocabulary

Ecology: Study of interactions of living organisms with one another and with their physical environment

Habitat: place where a particular population of a species lives

Community: the many different species that live together in a habitat

Ecosystem: a community and all of the physical aspects of its habitat (soil, air, water, weather

Abiotic: the physical aspects of a habitat

Biotic: the living organisms of a habitat

Biodiversity: number of species living within an ecosystem

Pioneer Species: the first organisms to live in a new habitat; usually small, fast growing plants

Succession: regular progression of species replacement

Primary Succession: succession that occurs where plants have not grown before (ex: volcanoes, receding glaciers)

Secondary Succession: succession that occurs in areas where there has been previous growth (ex: forest fires, forest clearings)

Primary Productivity: the rate at which organic material is produced by photosynthetic organisms in an ecosystem

Autotroph: Organisms that make their own food, producers

Heterotroph: Organisms that consume producers for food, consumers

Producer: organisms that first capture energy and that make their own food (plants)

Consumer: organisms that consume producers for food (animals)

Trophic Level: a specific level in an ecosystem based on the organism’s source of energy

Food Chain: the path of energy through the trophic levels of an ecosystem

Herbivores: second trophic level, animals that eat plants or other primary producer

Carnivores: third trophic level, animals that eat herbivores

Omnivores: both herbivores and carnivores

Detritivores: obtain energy from organic waste and dead bodies, release nutrients back into environment (decomposers: worms, bacteria, fungi)

Food Web: a complicated, interconnected group of food chains

Biomass: the dry weight of tissue and other organic matter found in a specific ecosystem

Predation: the act of one organism feeding on another

Symbiosis: two or more species live together in a close, long-term association

Parasitism: one organism feeds on and usually lives on or in another, does not usually kill the host (ticks)

Mutualism: a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit (ants and aphids)

Commensalism: one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped

Fundamental Niche: the entire range of conditions an organism is potentially able to occupy

Realized Niche: the part of its fundamental niche that a species occupies

Biome: major biological community that occurs over a large area of land