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Ecological Core Concepts -- The science of ecology -- Scientific method and experimental design

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View Resource Inquiry-based Learning in Plant Ecology: Students Collect the Field Data, Ask the Questions, and Propose the Answers

This Experiment is designed to teach upper-level students in a plant ecology course how to collect data on plant populations (distribution and abundance), develop hypotheses to explain observed patterns, and write a research proposal to test their hypotheses. The Experiment describes a semester long project requiring 13 classes that are 2 ¾ hours long each. The experimental setup is a 2 m X 30 ...

 

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library
View Resource Testing Hypotheses about Herbivore Responses to Plant Vigor and Herbivore Impact on Plant Reproduction

In this laboratory exercise, students examine hypotheses about the interactions between goldenrod plants and the gall-forming insects that feed on them. Students collect and analyze data to determine 1) whether certain traits make the plants more susceptible to attack by the insects and 2) how plant reproduction is affected by the insects' feeding. Students are introduced to several competing...

 

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library
View Resource Using Student Generated Qualitative Ecological Models

As simplifications of real system, models can be used by students to improve their understanding of an ecosystem and to make predictions about what will happen after a disturbance or other change to the ecosystem. This activity guides students through the development of quantitative ecological models. Students use a model to explore how ecosystems work and to predict how disturbance can affect...

 

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library
View Resource Pathways to Scientific Teaching, Chapter 3c of 7: Determining confidence: sex and statistics

In this article we demonstrate the use of a primary research paper as an assessment tool, helping to determine how well students understand a biological concept and their ability to interpret statistics. The article by Willingham [attached] investigates the effects of temperature in conjunction with endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on sex determination in turtles. We have designed instruction...

 

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library
View Resource Pathways to Scientific Teaching, Chapter 3d of 7: Lyme disease: a case about ecosystem services

One way to help students develop critical thinking skills is to focus on problems or cases where they are challenged to deal with real data and experiences (Bransford et al. 2004). Both problem-based learning and case studies allow students to develop the intellectual capacity to deal with complex issues, build confidence and willingness to approach topics from multiple perspectives, and...

 

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library
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