Learning Goals
Students will be able to design and revise a fair test for native insect behavior using variables, controls, and repeated observations.
Students will be able to collect and organize stream and pond macroinvertebrate data using field notes, survey counts, and water-quality indicators.
Students will be able to graph and interpret insect abundance and biodiversity data to identify patterns, anomalies, and possible environmental relationships.
Students will be able to explain how aquatic insects, pollinators, and forest insects function as bioindicators of ecosystem health.
Students will be able to analyze evidence about how environmental change and human impact affect biodiversity, species survival, and ecosystem stability.
Students will be able to justify a claim about local stream, pond, or forest health using claim-evidence-reasoning and multiple sources of evidence.
Students will be able to evaluate a habitat improvement solution for reducing human impacts on biodiversity and insect populations.
Products
Native Insect Investigation Notebook
A research notebook that documents each student’s question, method choices, field observations, raw counts, graphs, source notes, CER drafts, and reflection on anomalies or revised thinking. This product proves individual mastery of investigation practices and content understanding.
Stream and Pollinator Health Investigation Poster Presentation
A formal team presentation that synthesizes each member’s evidence into a shared claim about local ecosystem health, explains the chosen method, presents graphs and observations, and addresses limitations and conflicting findings. Teams also defend a habitat improvement recommendation with evidence-based reasoning.
No rubric has been generated yet.