LESSON 2 Changing environmental conditions
Aims
To show how organisms adapt to daily changes in conditions and how to investigate this.
Learning Objectives
Pupils should Know/be able to:
3/2a - that some animals are adapted to daily changes in their habitat
3/2b - how to measure and record changes in environmental factors
3/2c - how to interpret patterns in data
3/2d - how to frame a question to be investigated
3/2e - how to decide what factors are relevant to a question
3/2f - about the importance of sample size
3/2g – focus on planning investigation to answer a question (HSW)
POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES
Activity 1 Objectives 3/2a & 3/2b
Ask pupils to predict how physical environmental factors around the school, eg light intensity, temperature,
humidity, noise levels, would change over a 24-hour period and how they could measure the changes.
If possible demonstrate data-logging equipment with a light probe, temperature and sound sensors, and allow
them to generate ideas about how they would use the sensors to monitor changes.
Activity 2 Objectives 3/2c
Spectrum Biology p27-28 shows data about environmental changes around the school over a 24-hour period;
Discuss interpretation of data: in pairs, get them to list two facts they could say about the data on p27 on wipe
boards.
Get the pupils to discuss and describe links between the different changes (this acts as a preliminary for the
next activity!)
Activity 3 Objectives 3/2d, 3/2e, 3/2f & 3/2g
Ask pupils to generate a suitable question about how the activity of an invertebrate (eg woodlice, snails, brine
shrimps, daphni) varies with environmental changes (eg dampness, light/dark). Get them to plan to carry out
an investigation next lesson on the activity of woodlice.
Independent variable: environmental conditions
Dependent variable: number of woodlice
Remind them of the importance of identifying and control variables, about the importance of sample size
etc and the fact that they will be handling live organisms.
Spectrum Biology p29 shows woodlice in a choice chamber and can be used to help with planning of
equipment (show examples of choice chamber, gauze, paper towels, bench lamp).
Risk Assessment.
Ask prior to lesson if any allergies.
Suggested Homework Tasks
Finish plan of investigation ready for next lesson
Resources: Lesson 2
Activity
1
2
3
Resources required
Demo
Data logging equipment-light, temperature & sound
sensors
Spectrum Biology
Mini whiteboards, pens, erasers
Demo of equipment only
Choice chamber
Netting
Paper towels
Scissors
Black paper
Bench lamp
Silica gel
Distilled water bottle