Intro: Freshwater BiomeFrom the gentle trickle of streams to large lakes, the freshwater biome encompasses all bodies of water with low salt concentration. Create a fish swimming throughout these aquatic environments. | | | |
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| | Facilitators set the groundwork for students to understand the purpose and components of the project with a well-defined set of learning objectives. By delving into the lesson's fundamentals, students gain the confidence and insight to craft their unique renditions of the project. | Assign this lesson as a student resource. Have students read and watch the video.
This section prepares students to engage the lesson. Throughout the teaching of this entire lesson, the facilitator provides an opportunity for students to collaborate with each other and provide feedback on their individual or group project. | | | Equip students for before starting the lesson by familiarizing them with frequently used vocabulary words, enhancing their writing skills, and engaging in constructive building exercises. | Get familiar with Sustainable Development Goals & vocabulary. Assign this lesson as student resources. Have students read the list and watch the video. | | | Embark on an exploration of the Earth's freshwater supply and discover its crucial role in sustaining life. | Imagine section is a critical phase where students are encouraged to conceptualize, and visualize their ideas before diving into the building and prototyping stage in Build section. Pause to have a short group reflection.
Florida - NGSSS
For SC.4.L.17.4 - Life Science, Interdependence, discuss the concept of interdependence in ecosystems. Explain that in any habitat, organisms have varying abilities to survive. Ask if they can provide specific examples of how organisms thrive.
Biomes (bold is the featured biome in this lesson):
Freshwater (Salmon): - Salmon contribute to the environment by carrying nutrients from the ocean to freshwater ecosystems during their migrations, enriching the food web and promoting the growth of aquatic plants and organisms.
Marine (Oyster): - Oysters help maintain a healthy marine environment by filtering water, removing pollutants, and improving water quality. Their presence is essential for the well-being of the marine ecosystem and the organisms within it.
Desert (Sidewinder Snake): - Sidewinder snakes play a role in desert ecosystems by controlling populations of small rodents, thus preventing overgrazing and maintaining the balance of the fragile desert food chain.
Arctic Tundra (Seal): - Seals' interactions with other Arctic tundra species, such as polar bears, affect the delicate balance of this extreme environment. Seals serve as a crucial food source for polar bears, highlighting the interdependence of species in this harsh biome.
Wetlands (Alligator): - Alligators have a significant impact on wetland ecosystems by creating and maintaining aquatic habitats through their nest-building activities. Their presence contributes to the overall health and biodiversity of wetland environments.
Savanna (Hippo): - Hippos influence savanna ecosystems by grazing on vegetation and defecating in water bodies. These actions can shape the structure of the habitat, affecting the distribution and behavior of other organisms in this biome.
Boreal (Moose): - Moose in boreal forests impact their surroundings by browsing on specific plant species, which can influence the composition of the forest community and plant succession in this northern biome.
Temperate (Fox): - Foxes play a role in temperate ecosystems by controlling populations of small mammals and birds, which can affect plant growth and overall biodiversity in these regions.
Tropical Rainforest (Frog): - Frogs in tropical rainforests contribute to ecosystem health by controlling insect populations and serving as prey for various rainforest predators. They play a vital role in the intricate web of species interactions in this biodiversity hotspot.
SDGs
For GOAL 14 - LIFE BELOW WATER ask what the relevance of freshwater biomes is to Global Goal 14, which primarily focuses on marine conservation. Share that freshwater ecosystems are incredibly diverse and plays crucial roles in food webs. For example, freshwater fish species often serve as a food source for marine predators like seabirds and larger fish. Disruptions in freshwater ecosystems can disrupt these food chains, affecting marine life. | | | Create a tiny fish with the tenacity to swim upstream of a mighty river. | Watch the video to get an idea of the project's structure and a demonstration of how it works. Some may figure out how to construct the project just from pausing the video or looking at a few images from the steps. The instructions are helpful for new builders or those seeking general guidance.
Florida - NGSSS
For SC.35.CS-CS.1.2 - COMPUTER SCIENCE introduce students to the concept of computational thinking, emphasizing problem decomposition, and the importance of breaking complex problems into smaller parts. Explain how this will be applied to building the animal. They can create fins, ears, increasing body size, claws, etc. for iterating on its adaptation. And for SC.35.CS-CC.1.3 - COMPUTER SCIENCE direct students to test how their animals would live by crafting the biome and their habitat.
NGSS
For 3-5-ETS1-1 - ENGINEERING DESIGN, students will consider constraints, such as the materials they have available, the time they have to complete the project, and any limitations when starting to build. For 3-5-ETS1-2 - ENGINEERING DESIGN, students understand how to design and build functional prototypes, as well as how to evaluate and refine their design through testing. And for 3-5-ETS1-3 - ENGINEERING DESIGN students engaged in this learning experience helps students understand how to design and build functional prototypes, as well as how to evaluate and refine their design through testing. |
SDGs | |
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Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. | Understand the fragility and importance of marine ecosystems. Share stories, images, or videos that highlight the beauty of marine life and the challenges it faces due to human activities. Encourage students to discuss their feelings and thoughts about the need to protect marine ecosystems. Engage students in discussions about the ways in which the ocean impacts their lives, even if they don't live near the coast. Encourage students to share their experiences with the ocean, such as beach trips or encounters with marine animals, and discuss how these experiences contribute to their understanding of marine conservation. Conduct virtual or in-person field trips to local aquariums, marine research centers, or coastal areas to observe marine species and ecosystems up close. |
NGSS | |
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3-5-ETS1-1
Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. | Students will identify a design challenge considering specific needs or wants. Through hands-on exploration and discussions, they will determine the criteria for a successful solution while acknowledging constraints like materials, time, and cost. Assessment can be carried out by having students research related problems and their solutions, creating visual or physical representations of their findings, or presenting their understanding of the problem's criteria and constraints to their peers. | 3-5-ETS1-2
Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. | After understanding their design problem, students brainstorm multiple potential solutions. They will use hands-on techniques like sketching, model building, or creating simple mock-ups to visualize and represent their ideas. For assessment, students can engage in peer reviews to compare and critique each other's solutions, record videos explaining their proposed solutions, or organize a small showcase where they present and justify their ideas based on the criteria and constraints. | 3-5-ETS1-3
Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved. | With their proposed solutions in hand, students will design tests to evaluate the effectiveness and viability of their ideas. They will use hands-on approaches to control variables, conduct their tests, and identify failure points. As an assessment, students could maintain a detailed journal documenting their testing process, discuss their observations in group discussions, or create visual aids (like charts or slides) to represent their findings and suggested improvements. |
ISTE Students | |
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1.6.c Creative Communicator
Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations. | Introduce students to a variety of digital tools and media that can enhance their communication. This could include graphic design software, multimedia creation tools, video editing software, or presentation platforms. Help students choose the appropriate tools based on their communication goals and the requirements of their project. |
Florida - NGSSS | |
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SC.4.L.17.4
Recognize ways plants and animals, including humans, can impact the environment. | While molding environmental footprints of plants, animals, and humans through tangible models, the interplay between living beings and their surroundings becomes evident. The hands-on activity facilitates a deeper comprehension of the environmental ripple effects triggered by even minor actions. | SC.35.CS-CS.1.2
Describe how models and simulations can be used to solve real-world issues in science and engineering. | Demonstrate understanding of how models and simulations can be used to address real-world problems in science and engineering. Reflect on a specific scenario and explain how a model employs to solutions to the problem by explaining thought processes and provide examples. For instance, present a scenario depending on the lesson's contents to students: "Imagine your city is prone to flooding during heavy rains, and this flooding causes damage to homes and infrastructure. City planners need to find a way to reduce flooding and protect the city. How can models or simulations help in this situation?" | SC.35.CS-CC.1.3
Identify ways that technology can foster teamwork, and collaboration can support problem solving and innovation. | Collaborate using technology to explore its potential in enhancing teamwork, streamlining communication, and nurturing innovative problem-solving techniques. Experiment with various collaborative platforms and tools to discover how technology optimizes team dynamics. |
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