Oceans Digital Inquiry Lab - NGSS MS LS2-4

Want an INTERACTIVE and FLEXIBLE LAB DAY? Engage your students with an online, interactive science game or let them conduct the hands-on printed experiment. Both versions include comprehension questions, Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (C.E.R.) prompts, and a reflection section.

Differentiation is built in with three full versions at different levels of difficulty.

In this lab, students will learn about the collapse of the North Atlantic cod population. They will model the effects of a fishing quota on a population in recovery. Then they will use beans to estimate a population of cod.

Essential Question:

• How are ocean resources like cod affected by human activity?

Standard:

• NGSS MS LS2-4: Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that shows that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affects populations.

What's Included?

Print Format:

This in-person laboratory experiment with hands-on procedures is meant to be printed out for student use. Each student should fill out their own sheet, even if they work in groups.

Materials Needed Per Group:

• 1 set of cod cards
• 1 cup white dry beans
• 1 cup dark dry beans
• 1 bowl that can easily hold 3 cups
• red, blue, and green markers
• measuring cups (1-cup and ¼-cup)

Digital Format:

This completely virtual, interactive PowerPoint file is compatible with Google Slides and can be attached to assignments in MS Teams, Schoology, Canvas, etc.

• This digital file contains a link to a game developed for this lab. Students play their way to understanding the science behind mark and recapture methods and what actions to take to help an endangered species recover.
• Additional interactive elements ensure students stay engaged.

Materials Needed:

None! Don’t have materials? Students absent? Interactive virtual activities right inside the PowerPoint take the place of in-person activities.

Three Differentiated Versions

Within each format (print and digital), the lab is further separated into three levels:

• Dependent – Suggested for on-level learners.
  This level is written with a combination of procedural instructions and inquiry questions. They are moderately student-centered with guided inquiry questions throughout the lab.
• Modified – Suggested for learners utilizing modifications.
  This level provides the most structured lab experience. The lessons may eliminate parts of the lab and change the questioning to include sentence stems or multiple-choice options.
• Independent – Suggested for advanced learners.
  This level is the most student-led experience. Suggestions are made for the students to get started, but most of the decisions will be student-centered. The students will be responsible for most aspects of the lab and will have the least guidance.

Why Kesler Science?

• editable PowerPoints so you can tailor the materials for your classroom
• files compatible with Google Slides
• multimodal learning to keep middle school students interested
• differentiated materials with three levels of difficulty
• maximum flexibility in versions - Printable? Digital? YES!
• teacher resource pages – standards and objectives, estimated prep time, teacher directions, materials, and additional resources
• answer keys
• CER statements and conclusion and reflection questions

Lab Contents – Files and Formats:

• Teacher Answer Key – PDF; editable PPTX; Google Slides compatible
• Digital Lab On-Level – editable PPTX; Google Slides compatible
• Digital Lab Modified Support – editable PPTX; Google Slides compatible
• Digital Lab Advanced Level – editable PPTX; Google Slides compatible
• Print Lab - contains all three levels – PDF; editable PPTX; Google Slides compatible

*Note: game link is included in teacher key and all digital files

Save Time and Buy Now!

Save precious prep time and get back to teaching. All of the hard work has been done for you. Go have some science fun with those students!

This is a finished product; it will be updated with corrections as needed. Future editions will be sold as a separate product.