Biodomes (MS-HS)
Students explore the biosphere and its associated environments and ecosystems in the context of creating a model ecosystem, learning along the way about the animals and resources. Students investigate different types of ecosystems, learn new vocabulary, and consider why a solid understanding of one's environment and the interdependence of an ecosystem can inform the choices we make and the way we engineer our communities. Students will use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process, to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems.
objectives
• Have a working knowledge of the various types of environments and ecosystems.
• Describe how population and population density affect an organism.
• Identify how engineers apply knowledge of population density to the development of space, such as land and building capacity.
• Compare and contrast producers and consumers in a food chain or food web.
• Diagram the flow of energy through simple food chains and food webs.
• Define a biodome as a human-built environment used to study interactions of organisms.
• Explain how engineers are involved with the design and construction of biodomes.
• Construct an argument with evidence that certain habitats are more suitable for certain organisms.
Topic(s)
Ecosystems
type
Middle and high school lesson
6-12
Grade(s):
time needed
6 hours
author
NATURE
national next gen standards
north dakota standards
MS-LS2-1 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
MS-LS2-3 Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
HS-LS2-6 Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
HS-ETS1-2 Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.