How Can We Predict Change in Ecosystems?
How Can We Predict Change in Ecosystems? is part of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, a curriculum series by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. It is aligned to a group of grade 5 standards. It has a focus on life science with a secondary focus on physical science. In this module, students:
- Carry out investigations to provide evidence that plants get most of their matter from air and water.
- Analyze data showing that animals get both matter and energy by consuming food.
- Develop and use food web models to track matter and energy flows in ecosystems.
- Obtain information about the causes and effects of invasive species.
- Use models to support a prediction about which of two coastal locations is more likely to be invaded by a non-native sea squirt.
Below are digital resources that support teaching this module.
Bromothymol Blue
This image shows how the color of bromothymol blue (BTB) changes as carbon dioxide levels increase.
Download the Bromothymol Blue PDF
Key for Representing Energy and Matter
This file is a key to the symbols used to represent energy and matter in models created throughout the module.
Download the Key for Representing Energy and Matter PDF
Panda September 2020
This video shows a giant panda cub shortly after being born.
Download Panda September 2020 Video
Download the Accessible Version of Panda September 2020 Video
Download the Panda September 2020 Video transcript
Panda January 2022
This video shows the same giant panda cub playing, running, and rolling in the snow.
Download Panda January 2022 Video
Download the Accessible Version of Panda January 2022 Video
Download the Panda January 2022 Video transcript
Energy in Food
This video shows a peanut and marshmallow burning.
Download Energy in Food Video
Download the Accessible Version of Energy in Food Video
Download the Energy in Food Video transcript
Serving Size
These FDA links describe changes to serving sizes on standard nutrition labels.
Cup and Medium Weight
This file contains a data table showing the weight of a cup containing caterpillar food (medium) weighing less over time due to the loss of moisture.
Download the Cup and Medium Weight PDF
Fish Kill [0:10]
This video shows a pond with dead fish floating on the surface.
Download Fish Kill Video
Download the Accessible Version of Fish Kill Video
Download the Fish Kill Video transcript
Aquatic Plants [0:20]
This video shows gas bubbles forming on aquatic plants under a lamp.
Download Aquatic Plants Video
Download the Accessible Version of Aquatic Plants Video
Download Aquatic Plants Video transcript
Sample Food Web
This image shows a simplified food web that includes plants and animals in a pond environment.
Download the Sample Food Web PDF
Kitchen Compost
These images show the kitchen compost a week apart.
Download the Kitchen Compost PDF
Worm Investigation
This image shows students the materials they have available to plan an investigation.
Download the Worm Investigation PDF
Sea Squirts
This video shows live sea squirts.
Download Sea Squirts Video
Download the Accessible Version of Sea Squirts Video
Download the Sea Squirts Video transcript
Science Challenge: Surveying Sea Squirts
This file contains a description of the Science Challenge.
Download the Surveying Sea Squirts PDF
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