1. Lesson 1: Introduction to Ecosystems and Models

Sugat Dabholkar, Kevin Hall, Philip Woods, Connor Bain
Biology, Environmental Science
1 class period (45 minutes)
Introductory High School Biology
v3
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Overview

Lesson 1 Teacher Guide

Purpose

To teach students to understand biological systems using individual- or agent-level behaviors and interactions.

Prerequisite Knowledge

  • Food is a source of energy and building blocks for organisms
  • Food is necessary for animals to survive
  • Plants make their own food while animals and decomposers must consume other organisms
  • Familiarity with food webs and trophic levels

Lesson Description

Students will use their prior knowledge of food webs to examine the specific ecosystem of Isle Royale.  They will make predictions about how the populations of wolves and moose change over time, and attempt to construct a simple agent-based model based on the ecosystem.

Lesson Outline

  1. Introduction
  2. Think about differences between ecosystems broadly
  3. Think about interaction between populations broadly
  4. Think about Isle Royale broadly
  5. Predictions about wolf and moose populations
  6. Brainstorm rules for the model
  7. Revisiting predictions about wolf and moose populations
  8. Think about how and why models are useful
  9. Wrap-up

Underlying Pages

Standards

Next Generation Science Standards
  •   Life Science
    • [HS-LS2] Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
    • [HS-LS4] Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
  •   NGSS Crosscutting Concept
    • Patterns
    • Systems
    • Stability and Change
  •   NGSS Practice
    • Analyzing Data
    • Using Models
    • Conducting Investigations
Computational Thinking in STEM
  •   Data Practices
    • Analyzing Data
    • Manipulating Data
    • Visualizing Data
  •   Modeling and Simulation Practices
    • Using Computational Models to Find and Test Solutions
    • Using Computational Models to Understand a Concept
  •   Computational Problem Solving Practices
    • Troubleshooting and Debugging
  •   Systems Thinking Practices
    • Investigating a Complex System as a Whole
    • Thinking in Levels
    • Understanding the Relationships within a System
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