Ecosystem Foundations: Interactive Science Activities
Year 9 Science UK National Curriculum KS3 60-minute interactive lesson
Ecosystem Brainstorm Challenge
Think-Pair-Share: What is an ecosystem? List examples from your local environment Sort your ideas into LIVING and NON-LIVING categories Share your best examples with the class
What Makes an Ecosystem?
ECOSYSTEM: A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment BIOTIC components: All living things (plants, animals, fungi, bacteria) ABIOTIC components: Non-living factors (sunlight, water, soil, temperature) These components are INTERDEPENDENT - they rely on each other
Local Ecosystem Investigation
Form groups of 6 students - assign roles: • Ecologist: Focus on living organisms • Environmental Scientist: Study interactions • Conservationist: Identify threats and solutions Examine your ecosystem photo card Create a labeled diagram of biotic and abiotic components Prepare a 2-minute presentation for the class
Ecosystem Reflection
Write in your Ecosystem Explorer notebook: 1. Three new things you learned about ecosystems today 2. One question you still have about how ecosystems work 3. Why do you think ecosystems are important for humans? Be ready to share one insight with a partner