Ecology
Ecology is a large theme, and often not given full coverage in a biology class due to time constraints. Below are some basic lessons on ecology and environmental science.
Ecology
Estimating Population Size |Â Online Simulation – mark and recapture technique
Owl Pellets – dissect owl pellets, reconstruct skeletons
Predator Prey Graph - graph data on deer and wolf populations (growth curves)
Kaibab – another deer graphing exercise
Random Sampling – estimate a population of “sunflowers”
Random Sampling with Dandelions – estimate the number of weeds on your school grounds using string and counting the number of plants within a plotted area
Interpreting Ecological Data – graphs and data tables
Population Biology (Virtual Lab) – growth of paramecium
Demography Lab – collect cemetery data, construct survivorship curve
Predator Prey Simulation – collect data, growth curves, analyze
Examine an Ecosystem – observation of jar/pond water
Examine Succession 
– graphic shows how species are replaced as a pond dries up.
Build an Ecosystem – use bags, water BTB, oxygen data
Food Web Label – image; label producers, consumers, carnivores..etc
Food Web Label II – another image to identify producers, consumers..etc
Build a Food Web – use online application to create and print a foodweb
Biomes Concept Map – research biomes, create graphic organizer from scratch
Biomes Concept Map Fill In – concept map is already created, students fill in words
Biomes Webquest – research biomes, create a presentation and travel brochure
Biomes at MOBot - web lesson, research site, fill out table and answer questions
Biome Map -Â color N. America’s biomes
Isopod Behavior Lab – AP Lab 11, modified
Environmental Issues
Recycle City – web lesson, view EPA’s site on recycling with questions
Smog City – web lesson, use simulator to adjust environmental conditions
Ecology Project – create a powerpoint presentation about an environmental issue
Choosing a Dog – be a responsible pet owner, choose your dog wisely (web lesson)
Designer Dogs - Examines the cost associated with breeding designer dogs (such as Puggles) and asks students to consider alternatives to buying pets.
Ecology Article Analysis – find a news article and summarize
Endangered – visits Bagheera.com, complete a project on endangered species
Food for Thought – model the amount of food resources each country has using Hershey kisses
Zebra Mussels – read an article about exotic (invasive) species, answer questions
Human Population Graph – use data to graph growth and analyze
Environmental Action – as a group, allocate resources to different “causes”
Ecology Listmania – an introductory discussion where students list ideas or issues related to the environment
Powerpoint Lectures
Introduction to Ecology – species, communities, ecosystems and the biosphere. Â Focus on vocabulary and methods of studying ecology.
Biomes – showcases each major biome, its characteristics and species of plants and animals
Populations – discussions population growth curves, population pyramids and limits to growth
Demography – focuses on human population trends
