Were All In This Together!
 An ecosytem is made up of living and non-living things.  In doing a Pond Survey students will study  the various  things that make up the environment. Students will conduct a pond water survey to identify and describe biotic and abitoic factors and how they are a part of an ecosytem.  In this activity students will use various scientific processess to make observations, collect data, and analyze findings.  As a part of this process students will collect water samples and make connections with those factors that can contribute to an algal bloom.
 
Objectives
Students will:
1. Collect and analyze water samples.
2. identify and describe ecological relationships within an ecosystem.
3. classify biotic and abiotic factors in a pond environment.
4. Write a lab report.
Materials
pond area (located in walking distance from school)
hand lens
microscopes
slides cover slips
water bottles
eyedroppers
internet
water testing kits
journals
cameras
pencils
other species identification guides.
 
Procedure
Students will be divide into small groups of four and given safety guidelines to follow when near the water.
Students will communicate with their team to carry out the Pond Survey.
Part A. -Water Collections
1. Collect water samples using collection bottles
2. Pour a small amount of sample into petri dish and observe for organisms using hand lens.
3. Record observations on Survey Sheet
4. Discard unused sample in petri dish back into pond.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for two more collection sites
 
Part B. - Ecological Survey
1. Survey the area around the pond and identify biotic and abiotic factors that contribute to the environment.
2. Record the following into journal:
  • Type of biome
  • Type of habitat
  • Land and Water organisms
  • Limiting Factors
  • Symbiotic Relationships
3. Draw and label a detailed sketch of ecosytems including all  living and non-living things.
4. Students who brought cameras may photograph the environment.
References
Pond Survey info from Science Spot
http://sciencespot.net/Pages/pondsurvey.html
State Standards
1.2.5- The student will select appropriate instruments and materials to conduct an investigation.
1.4.1- The student will organize data appropriately using techniques such as tables, graphs, and webs (for graphs: axes labeled with appropriate quantities, appropriate units on axes, axes labeled with appropriate intervals, independent and dependent variables on correct axes, appropriate title).
1.4.2- The student will analyze data to make predictions, decisions, or draw conclusions.
1.4.3- The student will use experimental data from various investigators to validate results.
1.4.4- The student will determine the relationships between quantities and develop the mathematical model that describes these relationships.
1.5.1- The student will demonstrate the ability to summarize data (measurements/observations).
1.5.2- The student will explain scientific concepts and processes through drawing, writing, and/or oral communication.
1.5.4- The student will use tables, graphs, and displays to support arguments and claims in both written and oral communication.
1.5.5- The student will create and/or interpret graphics. (scale drawings, photographs, digital images, field of view, etc.)
2.5.1- The student will investigate various physical cycles found in the natural world.
2.5.2- The student will analyze the effects of natural cycles on human activity.
3.4.2- The student will estimate degrees of relatedness among organisms or species.
3.5.1- The student will analyze the relationships between biotic diversity and abiotic factors in environments and the resulting influence on ecosystems.
3.5.2- The student will analyze the interrelationships and interdependencies among different organisms and explain how these relationships contribute to the stabilty of the ecosystem.
3.5.3- The student will investigate how natural and man-made changes in environmental conditions will affect individual organisms and the dynamics of populations.
4.1.1- The student will select and use appropriate devices to measure directly or indirectly the length, mass, volume, or temperature of a substance. AT LEAST: centigram balances, graduated cylinders & pipettes, metric rulers, thermometers & temperature probes
4.1.2- The student will gather and interpret data related to physical and chemical properties of matter such as density and percent composition. AT LEAST: constructing data tables, graphing linear relationship, appropriate technology to analyze data.
6.2.1- The student will explain how organisms are linked by the transfer and transformation of matter and energy at the ecosystem level. At least — Photosynthesis/respiration Producers, consumers, decomposers Trophic levels Pyramid of energy/pyramid of biomass
6.2.4- The student will provide examples and evidence showing that natural selection leads to organisms that are well suited for survival in particular environments. At least — coevolutionary relationships, e.g. symbiotic relationships variation within a species increases survival potential natural selection provides a mechanism for evolution adaptations of organisms within biomes
6.3.3- The student will evaluate the interrelationship between humans and land resources. At least — wetlands soil conservation mining solid waste management land use planning human health
6.3.5- The student will evaluate the interrelationship between humans and energy resources. At least — renewable nonrenewable human health
Lesson Resources