The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

“Model Your Invasive Species”

“Model Your Invasive Species”

A 9th Grade STEM Lesson

Mitzi Noreen A. Cantillep

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June 2023

Notes for Teachers

List of Materials

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• Context: This lesson takes place in a classroom for one or more hours.
• Students may work with a partner.
• Students must have an idea about invasive species and their nature.
• Inform students the following:
• they will model and introduce a new invasive species that can quickly adapt and reproduce in Arizona.
• Encourage students to be specific in every characteristic of their species.
• They can research common invasive species in Arizona to be guided.
• Facilitate student’s reflection about the activity and its relation to invasive species.

List of Materials

• Modeling clay of different colors

Standards

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Life Science:

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HS.L2. Organisms require a supply of energy and materials for which they often depend on, or compete with, other organisms.

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Science and Engineering Practices:

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• ask questions and define problems
• develop and use models
• construct explanations and design solutions
• obtain, evaluate and communicate information

ELA:

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9.W2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

9.W7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Objective(s):

Today we will explain invasive species and their nature.

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Today we will collaborate and communicate effectively with our peers to plan and perform a scientific investigation.

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Today we will design and model a new invasive species that can adapt and reproduce quickly in Arizona.

Agenda ( 50 minutes)

• What is an invasive species? What is its nature?
• Brainstorming
• Modeling of Invasive Species (30 mins)
• Share and Present

What is an Invasive Species?

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Watch this video:

Observe and write things that:

• you noticed
• you wonder

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What is an Invasive Species?

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Invasive Species is any kind of a living organism that is not native to an ecosystem.

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They can grow and reproduce quickly, spread aggressively, and cause harm.

Instructions

In a group of 2-3, plan and model a new invasive species that you think can adapt, grow, and reproduce quickly in Arizona.

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Constraints:

• 30 minutes (modeling of the species)

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Assessment

• We critique the product
• We seek feedback
• We iterate and repeat

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Assessment

Perform your plan:

• Do you think your invasive species would adapt and reproduce quickly in Arizona?

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• If yes, why? If no, what do you think should be improved?

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ELA Assessment

What is an invasive species?

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How can an organism be considered an invasive species?

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What is the importance of understanding invasive species?

Differentiation

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

To help students get started with this,

solicit their ideas. To give a clear guide, provide guided questions that will help students in designing their new invasive species.

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You can also let students research on the different invasive species in Arizona.

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Another way is to let students observe other groups and apply what’s best for their group.

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Students who finish their design can start assessing their invasive species and have it checked. Once done, they can iterate and improve their work.