Ecology Teacher Links

Ecology Book Cover

Teacher Links

This Ecology unit is part of SEPUP’s Issues and Science three-year Middle School program. Each unit of the program incorporates science and engineering concepts and practices with current issues. The Ecology unit focuses on invasive species and their potential harmful effects on native ecosystems and people, and on potential solutions for controlling these species.


Teacher Links

Learning Pathway Diagrams for this unit:
MS-LS2-1MS-LS2-2MS-LS2-3MS-LS2-4MS-LS2-5MS-ETS1-1MS-ETS1-2MS-ETS1-3

Activity 2: Introduced Species

Sea Grant Nonindigenous Species Site

National Invasive Species Information Center

Global Invasive Species Database

Nonindigenous Aquatic Species

These are good resources which include a comprehensive collection of research publications and education materials on introduced species, as well as searchable databases.

Activity 3: Data Transects

Examples of Compiling Student Data

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Image 2

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Activity 5: A Suitable Habitat

A Blackworm Displaying Peristaltic Movements
Lumbriculus Variegatus – The Blackworm

These videos show blood flow and movement in blackworms.

Activity 6: Ups and Downs

Dynamic Map of Zebra Mussel Distribution

You can find out how far zebra mussels have spread each year in the United States on this interactive map produced by the U.S. government.

Alternative Dynamic Map of Zebra Mussel Distribution

Includes dynamic maps of for several other aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp.

Activity 8: Eating for Matter and Energy

Energy Transfer in Ecosystems

Student (and teacher) friendly explanation of “the ten percent rule” in ecosystems ecology.

Activity 9 / CA Activity 12: Population Growth

Setting up the Activity

This video (2:00) shows how to prepare the Paramecia for this activity.

What is a Paramecium?

This website will help students learn more about Paramecium and other aquatic protists.

Paramecium

This website has a video (8:32) showing Paramecia and other protozoans living in pond water. There are also links to photos and additional videos.

Activity 11 / CA Activity 14: Cycling of Matter

Invertebrates of the Compost Pile

This site from Cornell University explains the diversity of decomposers.

Activity 14 / CA Activity 17: Effects of an Introduced Species

River Ecology — Videos

Two short videos for introducing the Hudson River research study on zebra mussels can be found at this website.

River Ecology — Data

Use this link to access the data on the introduction of the zebra mussel in the Hudson River.