Stranger In A Strange Land
By: Thomas Cole and Rosie Nedry
Brief Project Description
Over the course of this six week unit, 8th grade students will collect, analyze and make conclusions about data on an aquatic, insect and plant invasive species currently found in the Great Lakes region. They will define what an invasive species is, hypothesize the effects of that invasive species on the ecosystem, and relate those effects to themselves.
Inquiry Questions (for Students)
- What is the effect of an invasive species on the ecosystem?
- How does an invasive species alter an ecosystem?
- In what ways do invasive species affect me personally?
- What can I do to prevent the spread of invasive species?
- What has been done to help rectify the effects of an invasive species?
- How has the frequency of an invasive species changed over time?
1. Inquiry: Have you used...survey
- Well 20 million plus of these trees have been destroyed over the past 10 years
- How does that effect you discussion
2.Introduction of Invasive Species
- Define Invasive Species
- Make predictions
- What is invasive species/do you know of any?
- How does it effect the space it invades?
- How could it effect you?
3.Model Effects of Invasive Species
- Whiteboarding Activity
- Data Analysis
- Notices and Wonderings
- How it effects state and local economies/resources
4. Data Collection
- Population Density at local field/park
- Whiteboarding
- Data analysis
- How does it effect local ecosystem?
5. Effect of invasive species on ecosystem
- Food chain/web activity
- Start Normal
- Introduce Invasive Species
6. Prevention Strategies
Google Doc Unit/Lesson Plan
Opportunities for Data Collection and Analysis
- Density of invasive plants in a given area
- Analysis of invasive species data from various sources