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.
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 – 11:30 | Lab for A group** (up to 64 students) |
11:30 – 12:30 | Switch groups |
12:30 – 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