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Short and Long Term Environmental Impacts to Organisms Activities for Middle School Science

The resources below will provide students a comprehensive understanding of short and long term environmental impacts to organisms. All of the following lessons are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Short and Long Term Environmental Impacts to Organisms 5E Lesson includes materials for every "E" phase, including the Short and Long Term Environmental Impacts Station Lab for Exploration and an interactive PowerPoint with digital INB templates for Explanation.

The lesson also includes introduction materials for Engagement, student-choice project ideas for Elaboration, and assessments for Evaluation.

After completing the Short and Long Term Environmental Impacts to Organisms 5E Lesson, students will be able to explore how short- and long-term environmental changes affect organisms and traits in subsequent populations.

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The Short and Long Term Environmental Impacts to Organisms Inquiry Lab is a hands-on activity that is differentiated for advanced, on-level, and modified middle school students.

Using data collected by the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), students will analyze the short and long-term environmental impacts of Hurricane Harvey and predict population response.

The Short and Long Term Environmental Impacts to Organisms Inquiry Lab includes a brief reading passage, comprehension checks, hands-on activities, reflection questions, and a CER conclusion.

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Short and Long Term Environmental Impacts to Organisms Classroom Experiences

Create a powerful student experience to help solidify students' understanding about short and long term environmental impacts to organisms. The following experience is also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

STEM CHALLENGES

The Project, Last Dance - Design a Prairie Chicken Research Enclosure STEM Challenge uses the engineering design process for building a prototype of an enclosure that biologists can use in the wild as they investigate the birds' survival. You will need to consider where the birds live, their daily patterns, and how you will blend in with the habitat so as not to disturb them.

Students will be using collaborative skills such as brainstorming with their peers and reflecting on their progress during the project.

At the end of the Project, Last Dance - Design a Prairie Chicken Research Enclosure, STEM challenge, students are given an opportunity to share their projects outside of the classroom.


Explories - A Complete NGSS Storyline

Explories are NGSS units that integrate a storyline and project-based learning with Kesler Science Inquiry Labs, Station Labs, and 5E Lessons. The Explories unit below is also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

building

DARK: An NGSS Unit Study of the Sky

Welcome to DARK. This is an NGSS unit that integrates a storyline and projects with existing Kesler Science inquiry labs, station labs, and 5E Lessons. In this unit, students will join and assist the fictitious Amateur Astronomers’ Conservation Society, exploring the relationships between the Sun, Moon, and Earth, and evaluating changes that will affect our future atmosphere

"Think about the sky for a moment.  Do you picture a clear blue day with white puffy clouds?  Or a nighttime view full of sparkling stars?  Have you ever really thought about the importance of our sky?

You're in luck!  You've been given a chance to 'expand your horizons.'  Your class has been invited to join the Amateur Astronomers’ Conservation Society.

To complete your membership, you will first complete a specialized model of the Sun, Earth, and Moon’s relationship in space.  Then, once you are a full member, you will help other members of the society investigate eclipses, reduce nighttime light pollution, and study the effects of atmospheric changes on our environment.  

You're about to experience the sky in a whole new way.  

Don’t be afraid of the DARK!"


Year-Round Resources

These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Visual Data & Graphing

You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.

Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups

These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.

Review Board Games

Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.

Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.


Essential Questions and Standards

Below are the essential questions and standards associated with the lessons and activities included in the short and long term environmental impacts to organisms unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Essential Questions
  • How do environmental changes (both short and long term) affect organisms and traits in subsequent populations?
Standards
  • MS ESS3-5 - Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century
  • MS LS2-4 - Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that shows changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations
  • MS ESS3-3 - Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment
  • MS ESS3-4 - Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems
  • TEKS Science 8.11 B - Explore how short- and long-term environmental changes affect organisms and traits in subsequent populations

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Kesler Science Membership

Imagine never having to search for another middle school science lesson again. The membership gives you access to ALL of the Kesler Science products in one place (Yes, including everything above).

Say goodbye to long hours of lesson prep.