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Bio-Bridge Builders: Designing Ecological Bridges
Grade 12Biology14 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)Ecological BridgesWildlife MigrationBiodiversityEcosystem StabilityMathematical ModelingEnvironmental DesignHuman Impact Mitigation
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Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design ecological bridges that effectively facilitate wildlife migration while enhancing biodiversity and ensuring ecosystem stability?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the primary factors that disrupt wildlife migration, and how can ecological bridges mitigate these disruptions?
- How does biodiversity benefit from creating ecological bridges in fragmented habitats?
- What biological and environmental considerations must be taken into account when designing an ecological bridge?
- In what ways can ecological bridges influence ecosystem stability and resilience?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Develop an understanding of the factors that disrupt wildlife migration and how ecological bridges can mitigate these disruptions.
- Analyze the role of biodiversity in enhancing ecosystem stability and design solutions to support this in fragmented habitats.
- Incorporate biological and environmental considerations into the design of an ecological bridge to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability.
- Utilize mathematical and computer simulations to model and evaluate the impact of ecological bridges on wildlife migration and ecosystem stability.
- Critically evaluate human impacts on natural ecosystems and propose viable technological solutions such as ecological bridges to mitigate these effects.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
HS-LS2-2
Primary
Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.Reason: The project involves designing solutions to support biodiversity, making it critical to understand the factors affecting biodiversity and how those can be mathematically represented.
HS-ESS3-4
Primary
Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.Reason: Designing ecological bridges is a technological solution aimed at reducing negative impacts of human infrastructures and activities on natural ecosystems.
HS-ETS1-4
Secondary
Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.Reason: Computer modeling can be used in this project to simulate the impact of proposed bridge designs on ecosystem interactions and stability.
HS-LS2-7
Primary
Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.Reason: This standard directly aligns with the project’s goal of creating ecological bridges to reduce human impact on wildlife and biodiversity.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsVirtual Environmental Crisis Summit
Students are invited to participate in a simulated global environmental summit where they represent different species facing extinction. An urgent announcement is made that they must develop a solution, like ecological bridges, to ensure the survival of these species. They must present their strategies in a world gathering, showcasing innovative ways to use bio-bridges for wildlife migration.📚
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Activity 1
Wildlife Migration Detective
Students investigate the factors disrupting wildlife migration and the potential role of ecological bridges in mitigating these disruptions.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research various species affected by habitat fragmentation.
2. Identify primary factors causing migration disruption for each species.
3. Discuss how ecological bridges can mitigate these issues.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report detailing species-specific migration challenges and the role of ecological bridges.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with understanding factors affecting wildlife migration and proposing solutions (HS-LS2-2).Activity 2
Biodiversity Benefits Explorer
Students explore how creating ecological bridges in fragmented habitats can enhance biodiversity and contribute to ecosystem stability.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Study real-world examples of ecological bridges and their impact on biodiversity.
2. Analyze data on ecosystem stability before and after bridge implementation.
3. Present findings on the benefits of biodiversity through ecological bridges.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation on biodiversity benefits derived from ecological bridges.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers the role of biodiversity in ecosystem stability (HS-LS2-7).Activity 3
Environmental Design Challenge
Students integrate biological and environmental considerations into designing an effective ecological bridge.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Identify key biological and environmental factors to consider in bridge design.
2. Collaborate in teams to draft preliminary bridge designs addressing these factors.
3. Receive peer feedback and refine the designs accordingly.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed design proposal for an ecological bridge.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsIncorporates design considerations to ensure sustainability (HS-ESS3-4).Activity 4
Mathematical Modeling Masterclass
Utilize mathematical representations and computer simulations to evaluate the impact of ecological bridges on ecosystems.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Learn how to create and interpret mathematical models related to ecosystems.
2. Use computer simulations to test bridge designs' impact on wildlife migration and ecosystem stability.
3. Analyze results and propose further improvements.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activitySimulation results and a revised ecological bridge model based on mathematical evaluations.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsIncorporates mathematical modeling and simulation to support wildlife migration solutions (HS-ETS1-4).Activity 5
Sustainability Pitch Presentation
Students critically evaluate human impacts and propose ecological bridge solutions as a sustainable intervention.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Research human activities that negatively impact ecosystems.
2. Develop sustainable intervention strategies, such as ecological bridges, to mitigate these impacts.
3. Create a compelling pitch to showcase these strategies.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA pitch presentation proposing ecological bridges as a sustainable solution to ecosystem disruptions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFocuses on evaluating human impacts and proposing solutions (HS-LS2-7).🏆
Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioWildlife Bridge Project Rubric
Category 1
Research and Understanding
Assess students' ability to research and understand the factors affecting wildlife migration and how ecological bridges can mitigate these disruptions.Criterion 1
Identification of Factors
Evaluate the ability to identify and articulate primary factors causing wildlife migration disruption.
Exemplary
4 PointsThoroughly identifies and articulates a comprehensive range of factors causing disruptions, demonstrating sophisticated understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsClearly identifies a broad set of factors with a good understanding of their impact.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some factors with a basic understanding but lacks depth.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify factors, showing minimal understanding.
Criterion 2
Mitigation Strategies
Evaluate understanding of how ecological bridges can mitigate migration disruptions.
Exemplary
4 PointsArticulates innovative and highly effective strategies for mitigation, showing exceptional critical thinking.
Proficient
3 PointsDescribes effective mitigation strategies with a clear understanding.
Developing
2 PointsPresents basic mitigation strategies, with limited effectiveness.
Beginning
1 PointsHas difficulty formulating viable mitigation strategies.
Category 2
Design and Innovation
Assesses creativity and practicality in ecological bridge design proposals.Criterion 1
Design Proposal
Evaluate the creativity, practicality, and comprehensiveness of the ecological bridge design proposal.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a creative, advanced, and thoroughly considered design proposal with excellent practicality.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a well-structured and practical design with good creativity.
Developing
2 PointsDesign is present but lacks depth and innovation.
Beginning
1 PointsDesign is minimal and impractical, lacking creativity.
Category 3
Mathematical and Technical Evaluation
Evaluates the use of mathematical models and computer simulations in assessing bridge impacts.Criterion 1
Modeling and Simulation
Evaluate ability to effectively use mathematical models and simulations in project evaluation.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates sophisticated use of models and simulations to comprehensively evaluate bridge impacts.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively uses models and simulations for reliable evaluation.
Developing
2 PointsUses models and simulations with some inaccuracies, demonstrating basic technical ability.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with using models and simulations effectively.
Category 4
Communication and Collaboration
Measures effectiveness of presenting ideas and collaborating within teams.Criterion 1
Presentation and Pitch
Assesses the ability to create and deliver a compelling sustainability pitch.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a highly convincing and polished pitch, demonstrating exceptional communication skills.
Proficient
3 PointsDelivers a clear and persuasive pitch with good communication.
Developing
2 PointsCreates a basic pitch with limited persuasiveness.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to create a compelling pitch, hindering communication.
Reflection Prompts
End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learningQuestion 1
Reflect on the most surprising insights you gained while researching various species affected by habitat fragmentation and the role of ecological bridges in supporting their migration.
Text
Required
Question 2
How effectively do you think your ecological bridge design addressed both biological and environmental considerations?
Scale
Required
Question 3
In what ways has your understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem stability changed as a result of the Biodiversity Benefits Explorer activity?
Text
Required
Question 4
Which human activity do you think poses the most significant threat to ecosystem stability, and how can ecological bridges mitigate this threat?
Multiple choice
Required
Options
Deforestation
Urban Development
Pollution
Agricultural Expansion
Question 5
How confident are you in using mathematical and computer models to evaluate environmental solutions after completing the Mathematical Modeling Masterclass?
Scale
Optional