In this lab students will:

  • Create a mixture and make observations about its properties to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.
  • Learn techniques to micropipette and measure small quantities of liquids
  • Discuss the effects of resource availability on the hemlock ecosystem
  • Discover and identify interactions (competitive, predatory, and mutually beneficial) between organisms in the hemlock ecosystem
  • Perform gel electrophoresis to compare DNA from known pests to an unknown tree killer (scientists use this method to separate parts of a mixture)
  • Investigate how changes to the hemlock ecosystem affect populations and biodiversity.
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Standards:

  • 7-PS1-2. Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.
  • 7-LS2-1. Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
  • 7-LS2-2. Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
  • 7-LS2-4. Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
  • 7-LS2-5. Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Typical Schedule*:

9:00 – 9:15 Arrive/walk to the lab
9:30 Start lab (up to 64 students**)
11:30 – 12:00 End lab

*Schedule can be adjusted to meet your school’s needs
**If you have more than 64 students, see large group schedule

Typical Large Group Schedule*:

9:00 – 9:15 Arrive/walk to the lab
9:30 – 11:45 Lab for A group** (up to 64 students)
11:45 – 12:15 Switch groups
12:15 – 2:30 Lab for B group*** (up to 64 students)
2:30 Depart

*Schedule can be adjusted to meet your school’s needs
**B group participates in another campus activity; school chaperones arrange
***A group participates in another campus activity; school chaperones arrange