ECOLOGY UNIT STEM PROJECT
TEAM NAMES: ___________________________________________
Day 1: Explore the Outdoor Classroom. Generate 10 questions that you have about the area.
Turn in your list for lab credit. (teacher sign off) [10 pts]
Day 2: Look at your list of questions. Identify 2 – 3 of those questions that could be tested by
experimentation. To narrow your list, ask, is this a comparison questions? Can we collect data
that can be compared? Visit the websites below to help narrow your questions.
Research:
Wildohio.org
Ohiodnr.com (natural areas)
Day 3: Narrow your question down to ONE! Submit this question to your teacher. [10 pts]
Once your question has been approved, you will have 5 class days to conduct your research &
collect data. See below:
Inquiry Research design:
• Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations;
• Design and conduct scientific investigations;
Make a list of materials you will need.
Write out your procedures, step by step.
PREDICT what results you expect to get (hypothesis).
• Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications;
Collect data (take pictures to verify you did the research).
Use Excel or some other data processor to create charts/graphs that illustrate data
• Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence (critical thinking);
Use the appropriate vocabulary words to describe the results and state whether or not your
hypothesis was supported or rejected. This is a written paper. Please use computer to type this report.
• Recognize and analyze explanations and models; and
• Communicate and support a scientific argument.
Prepare a class presentation to share your project. Use powerpoint or prezi. Include your
pictures, graphs and conclusions.
Project Rubric:270- 280 rubric points = A: 230-260=B, 190 – 220 = C, 160 – 180 = D, 150 below = F
40
Question &
hypothesis well
stated
Complete materials
list
Detailed, easy to
follow procedures
Data number &
pictures for all steps
Graphs/charts
complete
Conclusion one page,
complete use of
vocabulary
6 or more PPt slides
or prezi links
30
20
Question &
hypothesis stated,
vocab. error
Missed one item on
list
Missed one step
Question or
hypothesis not
complete sentence
Missed 2 items on
list
Missed 2 steps
Missing one
10
0
Question or
hypothesis missing
Didn't do it
Didn't do it
Missing 2
Missed 3 or more
items on list
Missed 3 or more
steps
Missing 3 or more
One error
2 errors
3 or more errors
Didn't do it
Conclusion one
page, missing some
key terms
4-5 ppt slides/links
Conclusion less than
one page, missing
some key terms
2-3 ppt slides/links
Conclusion barely
touches the entire
project
1 slide/link
Didn't do it
Didn't do it
Didn't do it
Didn't do it
Vocabulary Focus
Ecology Vocabulary
Ecology: Study of interactions of living organisms with one another and with their physical environment
Habitat: place where a particular population of a species lives
Community: the many different species that live together in a habitat
Ecosystem: a community and all of the physical aspects of its habitat (soil, air, water, weather
Abiotic: the physical aspects of a habitat
Biotic: the living organisms of a habitat
Biodiversity: number of species living within an ecosystem
Pioneer Species: the first organisms to live in a new habitat; usually small, fast growing plants
Succession: regular progression of species replacement
Primary Succession: succession that occurs where plants have not grown before (ex: volcanoes,
receding glaciers)
Secondary Succession: succession that occurs in areas where there has been previous growth (ex:
forest fires, forest clearings)
Primary Productivity: the rate at which organic material is produced by photosynthetic organisms in an
ecosystem
Autotroph: Organisms that make their own food, producers
Heterotroph: Organisms that consume producers for food, consumers
Producer: organisms that first capture energy and that make their own food (plants)
Consumer: organisms that consume producers for food (animals)
Trophic Level: a specific level in an ecosystem based on the organism’s source of energy
Food Chain: the path of energy through the trophic levels of an ecosystem
Herbivores: second trophic level, animals that eat plants or other primary producer
Carnivores: third trophic level, animals that eat herbivores
Omnivores: both herbivores and carnivores
Detritivores: obtain energy from organic waste and dead bodies, release nutrients back into
environment (decomposers: worms, bacteria, fungi)
Food Web: a complicated, interconnected group of food chains
Biomass: the dry weight of tissue and other organic matter found in a specific ecosystem
Predation: the act of one organism feeding on another
Symbiosis: two or more species live together in a close, long-term association
Parasitism: one organism feeds on and usually lives on or in another, does not usually kill the host
(ticks)
Mutualism: a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit (ants and aphids)
Commensalism: one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped
Fundamental Niche: the entire range of conditions an organism is potentially able to occupy
Realized Niche: the part of its fundamental niche that a species occupies
Biome: major biological community that occurs over a large area of land
Ecology: Study of interactions of living organisms with one another and with their physical environment
Habitat: place where a particular population of a species lives
Community: the many different species that live together in a habitat
Ecosystem: a community and all of the physical aspects of its habitat (soil, air, water, weather
Abiotic: the physical aspects of a habitat
Biotic: the living organisms of a habitat
Biodiversity: number of species living within an ecosystem
Pioneer Species: the first organisms to live in a new habitat; usually small, fast growing plants
Succession: regular progression of species replacement
Primary Succession: succession that occurs where plants have not grown before (ex: volcanoes,
receding glaciers)
Secondary Succession: succession that occurs in areas where there has been previous growth (ex:
forest fires, forest clearings)
Primary Productivity: the rate at which organic material is produced by photosynthetic organisms in an
ecosystem
Autotroph: Organisms that make their own food, producers
Heterotroph: Organisms that consume producers for food, consumers
Producer: organisms that first capture energy and that make their own food (plants)
Consumer: organisms that consume producers for food (animals)
Trophic Level: a specific level in an ecosystem based on the organism’s source of energy
Food Chain: the path of energy through the trophic levels of an ecosystem
Herbivores: second trophic level, animals that eat plants or other primary producer
Carnivores: third trophic level, animals that eat herbivores
Omnivores: both herbivores and carnivores
Detritivores: obtain energy from organic waste and dead bodies, release nutrients back into
environment (decomposers: worms, bacteria, fungi)
Food Web: a complicated, interconnected group of food chains
Biomass: the dry weight of tissue and other organic matter found in a specific ecosystem
Predation: the act of one organism feeding on another
Symbiosis: two or more species live together in a close, long-term association
Parasitism: one organism feeds on and usually lives on or in another, does not usually kill the host
(ticks)
Mutualism: a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit (ants and aphids)
Commensalism: one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped
Biome: major biological community that occurs over a large area of land
Introduced Species: an organism that is not native to an area, but is brought there intentionally or
unintentionally by humans
Niche: how and where an organism lives and the job it performs. This includes diet, activity, how it
affects energy flow in systems. THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS HABITAT
Add latin names of organisms and other technical terms were applicable.