Population Densities at Black Rock Forest
Grade Levels
Subjects
Living Environment
Keywords
Forest Locations
Materials
Population Density Laboratory Investigation Packet https://www.newburghschools.org/webapps/blackrock/lessons/LES7/Population%20Densities%20at%20Black%20Rock%20Forest.docx
Meter Stick
Popsicle Sticks
String
Calculators
Schedule
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Time Estimate |
Activities |
Key Questions |
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Pre-Lab |
Discussion and create a hypothesis to be investigated on the trip to Black Rock Forest Students have previously been introduced to the topic of ecology and some of the keywords. |
What abiotic factors can influence plant growth? |
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20 Minutes |
Demonstrate the lab procedure in the Science Center (The location of the bus drop off) Distribute laboratory investigation materials |
How can I successfully complete the procedure to conduct this laboratory investigation? |
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15 Minutes |
Hike to The Upper Reservoir |
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30 Minutes |
Collect data on Population Density of the specific location |
What are the characteristics of this location? Which plant species seems to be the most abundant? |
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40 Minutes |
Hike to Aleck Meadow |
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30 Minutes |
Collect data on Population Density of the specific location |
What are the characteristics of this location? Which plant species seems to be the most abundant? |
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45 Minutes |
Hike to Black Rock |
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30 Minutes |
Lunch |
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50 Minutes |
Hike back to the Science Center |
What are the abiotic factors that can influence an ecosystem? |
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15 Minutes |
Discuss initial observations |
Did anything stand out in this laboratory investigation? Can I make any correlations about the study? |
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Post-Lab Data Analysis |
Class will organize all the data to analyze it. The teacher will facilitate the organization of all data. |
How do specific factors influence the population density of a specific species? |
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Homework |
Students will complete the laboratory investigation write-up. |
What would be the next study that could be conducted? What would I do differently if the lab was conducted again? |
Pre-Forest Activity
Discussion and create a hypothesis to be investigated on the trip to Black Rock Forest
Students have previously been introduced to the topic of ecology and some of the keywords.
Forest Activity
|
Demonstrate the lab procedure in the Science Center (The location of the bus drop off) Distribute laboratory investigation materials |
|
Hike to The Upper Reservoir |
|
Collect data on Population Density of the specific location |
|
Hike to Aleck Meadow |
|
Collect data on Population Density of the specific location |
|
Hike to Black Rock |
|
Lunch |
|
Hike back to the Science Center |
|
Discuss initial observations |
Post-Forest Activity
|
Post-Lab Data Analysis |
Class will organize all the data to analyze it. The teacher will facilitate the organization of all data. |
|
Homework |
Students will complete the laboratory investigation write-up. |
Assessments
Students will be assessed using the population density laboratory investigation packet and completion of the laboratory investigation write-up. The summative assessment associated with this lab will be the unit examination on ecology.
Learning Standards
Next Generation Science Standards: High School Life Sciences
HS-LS2-1. Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of biotic and abiotic factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.
HS-LS2-2. Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.
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.
Crosscutting Concepts
Stability and Change: Much of science deals with constructing explanations of how things change and how they remain stable. (HS-LS2-6),(HSLS2-7)
Curriculum
The lesson will be about population density and ties into the ecology unit of the Living Environment course.
Objectives
Students will be able to investigate the influence different environmental factors have on population density.
Students will be able to state the difference between biotic and abiotic factors.
Students will be able to discuss the different abiotic factors that can be investigated.
Students will be able to explore the correlation between population of one species and relative amount of another species.
Background
The population density laboratory investigation is a useful tool for demonstrating key concepts discussed in the notes and articles because knowing the number of specific species in a location can indicate certain changes in the environment.
Safety Concerns
Students will be investigating population density in a forest and should be conscious of the living organisms. Students should not litter and all garbage should be taken with the students out of the forest.
Comments
Special Education/ELL Considerations:
Monitor special education and ELL students throughout the laboratory investigation. Any student that is having problems getting started with the lab should immediately be guided. Be sure to clarify any directions that aren’t understood by students. A follow-up discussion the day after the trip can help to ensure all students understand the information addressed.
