Little is known of the initial phase of the sea turtle's lifecycle,especially …
Little is known of the initial phase of the sea turtle's lifecycle,especially the critically endangered leatherback. Ocean surface currents play an important role as "conveyer belts" for hatchlings, but these strong swimmers might still be able to influence their trajectories at sea. Join Scripps marine biology student Geoffrey Gearheart as he explains how scientists are determining the dispersal patterns and mechanisms of leatherback hatchlings of west Papua (Indonesia) and how this knowledge may help tailor more adequate conservation measures. (56 minutes)
For time immemorial, humanity has looked at the world's oceans as a …
For time immemorial, humanity has looked at the world's oceans as a vast unending sea of resources, but imagine a Serengeti where the elephants and the lions are gone and the top consumers are termites and locusts. That is what is happening in the ocean. Join Dr. Jeremy Jackson as he considers the biological future of the oceans in the context of accelerated human disturbance. (28 minutes)
While often treated as distinct and independent ecosystems, marine and terrestrial habitats …
While often treated as distinct and independent ecosystems, marine and terrestrial habitats are intimately connected through a number of pathways, both natural and unnatural. Join University of San Diego biological oceanographer and Scripps graduate Drew Talley, as he discusses the ways in which these linkages are formed (and broken), and how connectivity across academic, public, and government sectors can help us to better understand coastal habitats. (55 minutes)
At first glance, the owl limpet appears to be an innocuous, slow …
At first glance, the owl limpet appears to be an innocuous, slow moving snail on the rocky intertidal shores. Delve further into its behavior and youŐll discover a sex-changing, fighting gastropod. Join Birch Aquarium visiting scientist Stephanie Schroeder as she leads you through the fascinating world of limpet interactions and explains her research examining territorial snail behavior. (50 minutes)
Join Dr. Kathy Barbeau and explore the world of Phytoplankton, from the …
Join Dr. Kathy Barbeau and explore the world of Phytoplankton, from the molecular to the global scale, in her quest to understand the mysterious role of iron in Phytoplankton ecology. (55 minutes)
Join Scripps physical oceanographer Clint Winant as he describes this complex interface …
Join Scripps physical oceanographer Clint Winant as he describes this complex interface between the land and sea. Learn how he and his colleagues are providing insight into how human activities can impair this fragile ecosystem. (54 minutes)
The purpose of this resource is to observe the flowering and leaf …
The purpose of this resource is to observe the flowering and leaf stages of selected garden plants throughout the year. After a phenological garden is planted, students observe the growth of leaves and blooming of flowers on the plants. These plants were selected because each plant blooms at a different time in the year.
This collection of learning activities allows students to explore phenology, phenological changes …
This collection of learning activities allows students to explore phenology, phenological changes over time, and how these changes fit into the larger context of climate change. Students explore patterns of solar radiation and seasons as well as phenological cycles and ecological affects of these patterns.
In this module, students will practice answering a specific question about how …
In this module, students will practice answering a specific question about how climate change has affected the flowering date in American elm trees. After students learn to manipulate the elm data set, build graphs, and analyze the data with a regression, they can then practice on a species of their own interest. Students can then share their species' information with the class for a larger discussion about what types of species may be affected by climate change.
Students explore the life of pikas, tiny mammals that live in alpine …
Students explore the life of pikas, tiny mammals that live in alpine areas, and how they are being impacted by climate change. After a brief introduction which includes a reading, a short video, and a story that includes a mathematical model, students engage in a kinesthetic simulation to gain first-hand experience of life as a pika and how the animals can be impacted by shrinking habitat. Students then create line graphs with data from the simulation and analyze them.
The unit is designed to be completed in six or more sessions. …
The unit is designed to be completed in six or more sessions. The comprehensive curriculum materials contain information for teachers, including activity tips and an overview of the many varied reasons that plant life flourishes in one plot but not another. Students speculate on why plants are more abundant in some areas of the site than others. They list factors that might account for the differences, such as temperature, humidity, light, soil, rainfall, wind, and human or animal activity, and figure out how they can collect more data on these factors. They discuss why it might be important to take a count of all the individual plants in each plot and develop a plan for conducting the field study. A reading selection describes how scientists count plants and gives students tips for conducting their own survey. Students then count plants and record their data. Several optional activities are provided.
Plant water relations are presented in this learning activity to help participants …
Plant water relations are presented in this learning activity to help participants understand the components of water potential, explain how water moves through plants, provide examples of plant adaptations to water stress, and have a general understanding of how water potential can be measured.
Earth contains a variety of plants to provide food, medicine and, most …
Earth contains a variety of plants to provide food, medicine and, most importantly, energy sources for humans. In this lesson, students will categorize plants by their components and shapes. Additionally, they will learn the mechanisms behind the making of medicines and bio-fuels. It is important that the students have prior knowledge of the plant cell structures and functions. The video duration is 21 minutes, during which the students will use skills such as classification and experimentation. The students must therefore be supplied with various samples of plants. In Arabic with English subtitles.
Using a combination of clickable 360 degree landscapes, 2D and 3D videos, …
Using a combination of clickable 360 degree landscapes, 2D and 3D videos, animations, interviews with scientists, and mini-games, the Polar Lab takes players onto the glacier ice and into the lab in search of evidence to answer big questions about Earth's climateâpast, present, and future. They search for plant and animal fossils that can reveal what this Arctic and Antarctic environment was like 50 million years ago. Students examine two kinds of clues that act as time capsules for exploring the past: mud cores and ice cores. Finally, students examine the rapid retreat of the massive glaciers and sea ice to better understand how changing ice conditions affect animals.
This lesson focuses on the process of pollination. The learning objectives include …
This lesson focuses on the process of pollination. The learning objectives include learning the anatomy and physiology of flowers, the ecology of pollination, and a focus on plants as essential players in the natural world. There are no prerequisites for the lesson. The lesson will take 1½ hours, or 2 class periods or more -- depending on the areas teachers want to spend more time on or how far in depth they want their students to go. Materials needed are colored modeling clay, 8 or more assorted fresh flowers or pictures of flowers, preferably native to the local ecosystem. Dissecting microscopes or magnifying glasses are great for examining the fresh flowers, but not necessary. Additionally, pictures of different subjects/objects amongst plants are needed for the last activity. Activities for the breaks include assessing student knowledge of flowers by model building, and examining flowers to determine and distinguish between the pollination anatomy of different flowers.
Hank talks about the last major way humans are impacting the environment …
Hank talks about the last major way humans are impacting the environment in this penultimate episode of Crash Course Ecology. Pollution takes many forms - from the simplest piece of litter to the more complex endocrine disruptors - and ultimately, humans are responsible for it all.
Chapters: 1) Natural Compounds :1 a) Carbon b) Nitrogen and Phosphorous :2 c) Cyanide d) Mercury e) Sulfur & Nitrogen Dioxide
Population ecology is the study of groups within a species that interact …
Population ecology is the study of groups within a species that interact mostly with each other, and it examines how they live together in one geographic area to understand why these populations are different in one time and place than they are in another. How is that in any way useful to anyone ever? Hank uses the example of the West Nile virus outbreak in Texas to show you in this episode of Crash Course: Ecology.
Chapters: 1) Density & Dispersion 2) Population Growth 3) Limiting Factors a) Density Dependent b) Density Independent 4) Exponential & Logistical Growth 5) How to Calculate Growth Rate
Many factors influence the success and survival rate of a population of …
Many factors influence the success and survival rate of a population of living things. Explore several factors that can determine the survival of a population of sheep in this NetLogo model. Start with a model of unlimited grass available to the sheep and watch what happens to the sheep population! Next try to keep the population under control by removing sheep periodically. Change the birthrate, grass regrowth rate, and the amount of energy rabbits get from the grass to keep a stable population.
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