MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
unit on matter cycling and photosynthesis begins with students reflecting on what they ate for breakfast. Questions about where their food comes from lead them to consider which breakfast items might be from plants. Then students explore (and taste) a common breakfast food, maple syrup, and see that according to the label, it is 100% from a tree.
Students argue (based on the preceding unit) that they know what happens to sugar in syrup or other foods when they consume it. It is absorbed into the circulatory system and transported to all cells of their body to be used for growth or fuel. Students explore what else is in food and discover that foods from plants they ate, like bananas, peanut butter, beans, avocado, and almonds, not only have sugars but proteins and fats as well. This discovery leads them to wonder how plants are getting these food molecules, why a plant needs food in the first place, and where a plant's food comes from.
Open Sci Ed UNIT: 15 Lessons (29 days) storyline and landing page for downloads
Photosynthesis Seen From Space (grades 6-11)
Observations inspire scientific questions and drive discoveries. In this activity, students will watch a visualization of empirical scientific data to explore seasonal changes in primary productivity on the Earth. They will then formulate and research their own scientific questions about primary productivity on the earth and present their research in a classroom scientific poster session.