Exploring Earth's Ecosystems

Exploring Earth's Ecosystems is a eight-week unit study designed for middle school students to delve into the fascinating world of ecosystems. The class incorporates interactive, hands-on projects to explore key concepts such as biodiversity, symbiosis, energy and matter flow in ecosystems, limiting factors, carrying capacity, and changes in ecosystems over time. Additionally, students will gain insight into the significant impact humans have on ecosystems.

Week 1: Ecosystem Basics
        Day 1: What are ecosystems?
        Day 2: Biodiversity in ecosystems

Week 2: Biodiversity in Ecosystems
        Day 1: Healthy vs. Unhealthy Ecosystems
        Day 2: Ecosystem Dioramas

Week 3: Symbiosis in Ecosystems
        Day 1: Mutualism
        Day 2: Commensalism

Week 4: Symbiosis and Energy Flow in Ecosystems
        Day 1: Parasitism 
        Day 2: Producers, consumers, and decomposers

Week 5: Energy Flow and Limiting Factors/Carrying Capacity in Ecosystems
        Day 1: Trophic Level Pyramids 
        Day 2: Explore population dynamics and implications of overpopulation

Week 6: Changes in Ecosystems Over Time
        Day 1: Natural changes in ecosystems
        Day 2: Invasive Species

Week 7: Human Impacts on Ecosystems
        Day 1: Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
        Day 2: Land Pollution

Week 8: Human Impacts on Ecosystems
        Day 1: Air Pollution
        Day: Water Pollution

This unit study on ecosystems aims to provide an immersive and engaging experience, fostering a deep understanding of ecosystems while encouraging critical thinking and creativity in middle school students.