Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we experimentally determine and model the carrying capacity of a specific organism, such as mealworms or yeast, in a controlled environment, considering resource limitations and ethical implications?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can we determine the carrying capacity of an environment for a specific organism?
- What are the limiting factors that affect population growth in an ecosystem?
- How do changes in resource availability impact the growth and survival of organisms?
- What are the ethical considerations when experimenting with living organisms?
- How can we use data to model and predict population changes in different environments?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to design and conduct an experiment to determine the carrying capacity of a chosen organism in a controlled environment.
- Students will be able to collect and analyze data on population growth, resource consumption, and environmental factors.
- Students will be able to identify limiting factors that influence carrying capacity.
- Students will be able to model carrying capacity and predict population changes based on resource availability.
- Students will be able to discuss the ethical considerations related to experimenting with living organisms and propose solutions for responsible research practices.
NGSS
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsInvasive Species News Report
Students encounter a news report about an invasive species devastating a local ecosystem. They discuss the factors contributing to the uncontrolled growth and the potential consequences.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Natural Habitat Observation Setup
Students will create a natural outdoor habitat, such as a marked-off area in a field, a section of a school garden, or an area near a tree, to observe a chosen organism and its interactions with the environment. They will select easily observable organisms like ants, pill bugs, or dandelions. They will also establish a system for monitoring and recording environmental factors like temperature, sunlight, and available space using readily available materials like sticks, rocks, and string.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA designated natural outdoor habitat with a chosen organism and tools for monitoring environmental factors using natural materials.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-LS2-1 (Analyzing and interpreting data related to resource availability and organism growth), LS2.A (Understanding interdependent relationships in ecosystems)Population Dynamics Journal
Students will regularly observe and document the growth of their organism population. They will also track resource consumption, such as food availability for mealworms or sugar for yeast.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed logbook with observations and data on population size, resource consumption, and environmental conditions over time.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-LS2-1 (Collecting data on population growth and resource consumption), LS2.A (Observing the dependence of organisms on resources)Data Detectives
Students will analyze the collected data to identify trends in population growth and resource consumption. They'll look for potential limiting factors affecting the carrying capacity, such as food availability, space, or waste accumulation.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityGraphs and charts illustrating population growth over time, resource depletion, and the relationship between these factors.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-LS2-1 (Analyzing data to understand resource impact), LS2.A (Understanding limiting factors affecting population growth)Carrying Capacity Report
Based on their data analysis, students will formulate a conclusion about the carrying capacity of their chosen environment for the organism. They will explain how their findings relate to the concept of carrying capacity and the factors that limit population growth.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written report summarizing the experiment, including data analysis, identification of limiting factors, and conclusions about carrying capacity.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-LS2-1 (Interpreting data to provide evidence), LS2.A (Connecting resource availability to organism growth)Ethics Investigators
Students will consider the ethical implications of conducting experiments with living organisms. They will research and present responsible research practices and discuss alternatives to using living organisms for studying population dynamics.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation or discussion outlining the ethical considerations, responsible research practices, and alternative methods for studying population dynamics.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-LS2-1 (Applying understanding of resource impact), LS2.A (Considering ethical implications of scientific research)Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioCarrying Capacity Experiment Rubric
Scientific Inquiry and Experimentation
Assessment of the student's ability to design, conduct, and refine scientific experiments related to determining carrying capacity.Experiment Design
Evaluates the creativity and effectiveness in designing experiments to determine carrying capacity.
Exemplary
4 PointsDesigns an innovative and effective experiment with detailed planning and consideration of all variables impacting the carrying capacity.
Proficient
3 PointsDesigns a thorough experiment with clear methodologies and consideration of most variables.
Developing
2 PointsDesigns a basic experiment with partial consideration of variables impacting carrying capacity.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with designing an effective experiment, with minimal understanding of variables.
Data Collection and Documentation
Assesses the consistency and accuracy of data gathering and the quality of documentation in the experiment.
Exemplary
4 PointsCollects and documents data meticulously, providing comprehensive evidence with accurate records.
Proficient
3 PointsCollects and documents data accurately and consistently with minor inaccuracies.
Developing
2 PointsInconsistently collects and documents data with noticeable errors or missing information.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with data collection and documentation, resulting in incomplete records.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Evaluates the student's ability to analyze data, identify trends, and draw valid conclusions regarding carrying capacity.Data Analysis
Assessment of ability to effectively analyze data related to population dynamics and resource availability.
Exemplary
4 PointsAdvanced analysis of data, identifying complex trends and correlations with insightful interpretation.
Proficient
3 PointsEffective data analysis identifying clear trends and correlations with accurate interpretation.
Developing
2 PointsBasic analysis of data with limited identification of trends and substantial interpretation inaccuracies.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with data analysis, displaying minimal identification of trends or correlations.
Conclusion and Insights
Evaluates the quality of conclusions drawn from data analysis and their alignment with scientific principles.
Exemplary
4 PointsDraws insightful, evidence-based conclusions thoroughly aligned with scientific findings and principles.
Proficient
3 PointsDraws clear, evidence-based conclusions that align with scientific findings.
Developing
2 PointsDevelops basic conclusions with partial support from evidence and scientific principles.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to develop clear conclusions or aligns poorly with evidence.
Ethical Considerations and Responsible Practices
Evaluation of understanding and application of ethical considerations in scientific experiments.Ethical Understanding
Measures comprehension of ethical considerations and implications in scientific procedures using living organisms.
Exemplary
4 PointsExhibits comprehensive understanding of ethical considerations with innovative solutions for responsible practice.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates solid understanding of ethical considerations, proposing reasonable solutions.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging comprehension of ethical considerations with limited solution proposals.
Beginning
1 PointsExhibits minimal understanding of ethical considerations in scientific practices.
Communication of Findings
Assesses ability to effectively communicate experimental findings through oral, written, or visual formats.Clarity and Organization
Evaluates how clearly and logically findings are communicated.
Exemplary
4 PointsCommunicates findings with exceptional clarity and organization, providing a compelling narrative.
Proficient
3 PointsCommunicates findings clearly with good organization, offering a complete narrative.
Developing
2 PointsPresents findings with emerging clarity but lacks consistent organization.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to communicate findings understandably, lacking organization.