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Reviewed by: Elba Lopez, Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy, 7th Grade Life Science
Location: 10101 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232. (310) 842-8060Description: Eco Station is a rescue center for wildlife that have been mistreated, abandoned or smuggled in from other countries. The center is small and located in a back lot that is not clearly visible from the main street. The mission of EcoStation is the preservation of wildlife through Education. There are tours every hour and you cannot do a self-guided tour. Some animals are allowed out their cage for handling.
Audience: This is a great place for students or teachers who want to learn more about wildlife management without the big crowds that you may find at the local zoo. Although the center does not house big mammals, it has a wide variety of wildlife and one-on-one interaction with some of them.
Students can learn more about animal habitats, responsibility as a pet-owner, nutritional needs of animals, and the preservation of animals.
Science Concepts Addressed:
6th Grade Standards:
7th grade:
7.3.a.Students know both genetic variation and environmental factors are causes of evolution and diversity of organisms.
Biology:
6.5.c.Students know populations of organisms can be categorized by the functions they serve in an ecosystem.
6.5.d. Students know different kinds of organisms may play similar ecological roles in similar biomes.
6.5.e. Students know the number and types of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the resources available and on abiotic factors, such as quantities of light and water, a range of temperatures, and soil composition.
6.a. Students know biodiversity is the sum total of different kinds of organisms and is affected by alterations of habitats.
6.b. Students know how to analyze changes in an ecosystem resulting from changes in climate, human activity, introduction of nonnative species, or changes in population size.
8.b. Students know a great diversity of species increases the chance that at least some organisms survive major changes in the environment.
Explanation: When visiting EcoStation, students can observe the genetic variation of organisms found throughout the world. Each exhibit provides visual and textual information about the habitat of each animal and their resource needs.Human activity such as poaching and acquiring these animals illegally is a key discussion point throughout the tour. Also, waste pollution effects on ocean life is highlighted in a diorama and the pipelines that run throughout the city. Biodiversity can be seen and discuss as the tour begins with freshwater aquariums and then we travel to the small mammals, reptiles and exotic bird species housed in the center. There are some invasive species housed at the shelter at their impact on the ecosystem of native species are discussed through ecological roles of the animals.
Pre- Fieldtrip Collaborative Presentation (students working in class)
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