Gold Seal Lesson:
Bat Ecology

Copernicus Education Gateway

 

Subject:

Science

Grade:

 

 

9-12

 

 

ICLE Standards:

 

 

Life Science - Develop an understanding of populations and ecosystems.

 

 

Performance Task:

 

 

Virginia is a Wildlife Biologist researching an endangered species of bat. Presently, the entire world population of that species lives in a single cave located in an area also inhabited by the Gypsy Moth. The Gypsy Moth is considered a pest by farmers, who would like to have them eliminated from the area. Virginia is concerned that the bat may be feeding on the moth. She does research to identify nocturnal insects that might be the bats' diet, and then conducts a 30-day survey to obtain the population of these insects. Over the 30-day period, Virginia collected the following data: Gypsy Moth 80, Other Moths 100, May Fly 120, Beetles 300, Mosquitoes 1200.

  1. Hypothesize the fate of the bat if the Gypsy Moth is eliminated.
  2. Determine other factors that are important for the survival of the bat, and design an experiment to test at least two of these factors.

 

 

Knowledge / Skills:

 

 

Know and apply the principles of scientific inquiry.  (s114)

Understand how humans, through technology, cause environmental change by disrupting the equilibrium or balance of nature by introducing pollutants into the environment.  (ela6)

 

 

Rubric:

 

 

4 Points  =  The student makes a complete response to all parts of the task. He/she shows understanding of ecological principles and is able to design a good experiment to test at least two of the factors identified.

 

 

3 Points  =  The student is able to make a complete response to the task only with coaching. He/she shows a limited understanding of ecological principles and identifies only one factor important for the survival of the bat. The student shows lack of skill in experimental design.

 

 

2 Points  =  The student shows little knowledge of ecological principles and indicates that he/she does not know how to effectively research a topic or design an experiment to reach meaningful conclusions.

 

 

1 Point  =  The student does not complete the task and shows no understanding of ecological principles. His/her work is disorganized, inaccurate, and incomplete. The student is unable to identify or design a test experiment concerning factors important for the survival of the bat.

 

 

Keywords:

 

 

LIFE SCIENCE
ECOSYSTEM
POPULATION                
EARTH SCIENCE
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY

 

 

Grades:

 

 

Kg [] - 1 [] - 2 [] - 3 [] - 4 [ - 5 [] - 6 [] - 7 [] - 8 [] - 9 [X] - 10 [X] - 11 [X] - 12 [X]

 

 

ICLE Application:

 

 

D

 

 

 

 

 

© 2000 International Center for Leadership in Education
1587 Route 146 - Rexford - NY - 12148
518.399.2776 Fax: 518.399.7607
38