6th Grade Science Guide

6.4: Ecosystems 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 5

●​ Chart Paper ●​ Small, flat object to represent plants

loops and conditional statements to optimize the irrigation process.

precipitation patterns. Students use technology to address this problem and design their own sustainable mobile irrigation system.

Activity: Climate Action Kit - Protecting Pollinators with a Bee Counter

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ Explain how pollination works and the role bees play in an ecosystem. ●​ Describe at least one way we can protect pollinator species ●​ Build a bee counter device.

●​ Students will learn about the important role of bees in plant life cycles, and how everyday people and scientists can work together to save these at-risk populations.

●​ Protection Pollinators with a Bee Counter ●​ Micro-bit ●​ Chromebook

●​ Climate Action Kits ●​ Plant (real or crafted)

Activity: Gizmo - Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ Describe the feeding relationships between 10 important organisms in a simplified model of a Caribbean reef ecosystem. ●​ Model the effects of changing ocean conditions on a Caribbean reef, including increased storms, elevated temperatures, and decreased pH. ●​ Model the effects of land use on a Caribbean reef, including

●​ Explore the abiotic factors that affect Caribbean coral reefs. Many factors can be manipulated in this simplified reef model, including ocean temperature and pH, storm severity, and input of excess sediments and nutrients from logging, sewage, and agriculture. Click "Advance year" to see how the reef responds to these changes.

●​ Gizmo Link

logging, emission of raw sewage, and agriculture.

Activity: Gizmo - Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ Explore the impacts of fishing intensity on a Caribbean reef ecosystem.

●​ In this followup to the Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors activity, investigate the impacts of fishing, disease, and invasive species on a

●​ Gizmo Link