Ecosystems in Action

In 9th grade biology students are required to know about interactions within an ecosystem. Ecology is a heavily tested area on all state tests. Ecosystems in Action would excite and ignite learning of valuable ecological concepts amongst 9th graders.

Students will be given a collaborative project assignment where they are required to utilize their knowledge of ecosystems, biomes, populations, communities and species as well as their interactions between the levels and apply that knowledge to a real-life example. Students will have to find an analogy that represents each ecological level out in their environment or community. Students will collaborate to choose a topic and how they will visual show the interactions. They will need to film that particular ecological level and explain how it exemplifies the characteristics of that ecological level. Students will share their knowledge of each level including types of interactions among and between various organisms and also illustrate how the levels interact and are dependent upon one another. Students will also show how changes in each level will affect the overall appearance, habitat and characteristics of the levels either below or above. Students will learn and illustrate how their actions on an individual level can end up having dramatic effects on a larger scale and that there are repercussions and consequences of every single action at species' level.

Most students have a hard time applying broad concepts and being able to relate them to everyday life. This project will allow students to think outside of the box and actually apply their knowledge in a creative format. This will increase students’ retention, creativity and problem solving abilities.