Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson, students will consider how competition for resources influences the ecological role an organism plays in an ecosystem. They will then research a subspecies and explore its role in an ecosystem before attempting to persuade the class that their subspecies, and its role, makes it the most important in the ecosystem.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand that all organisms fulfil a role in a sustainable ecosystem
- Students understand the different types of roles in an ecosystem and how they interact with other organisms.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 9 Science
- Ecosystems consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment; matter and energy flow through these systems (ACSSU176)
- Communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose, including constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations (ACSIS174)
Syllabus outcomes: SC5-9WS, SC5-14LW.
General capabilities: Literacy, Creative and Critical Thinking.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2.
Relevant parts of Year 9 achievement standards: Students analyse how biological systems function and respond to external changes with reference to interdependencies, energy transfers and flows of matter. They evaluate others’ methods and explanations from a scientific perspective and use appropriate language and representations when communicating their findings and ideas to specific audiences.
Topic: STEM, Sustainability, Biodiversity.
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work Backyard Bush Blitz – Year 9.
Time required: 70 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion.
Resources required:
- Device capable of presenting a video to the class
- Bush Blitz Information Sheet (one copy, single-sided)
- Ecosystem Interaction Matching Activity (one copy for the whole class or one per small group – cut out individual words and definitions and place in an envelope or small tub)
- Student devices with internet capability
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student.
Keywords: Ecosystems, interactions, competition, bush blitz, predator, prey, parasites, plague, animals.
Bush Blitz is Australia’s largest nature discovery program, with the Bush Blitz TeachLive component delivered by Earthwatch Australia, who kindly provided the images in these lessons. Thank you to the Ian Potter Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts and The Myer Foundation for generously supporting the development of these lessons.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher Preparation
