Description

In the blink of an eye, the chameleon's sticky tongue snags the dragonfly. Yum! Guide students through an exciting exploration of the flow of energy through feeding relationships wrapped up in 5E lesson plans where students investigate through active learning, then apply their new knowledge to find out how invasive species disrupt this flow of energy.

Driving Question: How do Pacific lionfish affect energy flow in other living things in Atlantic Ocean ecosystems?

Anchor Phenomenon: Invasive species change the flow of energy in an ecosystem.

ScienceFLEX® Investigative and Real-World Phenomena

• Lesson 1: The Sun's Energy - What happens to energy from the Sun that reaches Earth?
  • Sunlight is the ultimate source of energy in most of Earth's ecosystems.
• Lesson 2: Plants and the Sun's Energy - How do plants use the Sun's energy?
  • Plants use sunlight to convert air and water into sugars, which they use to grow larger.
• Lesson 3: Consumers - What features do animals have for eating different types of food?
  • Adaptations allow animals to feed in various ways.
• Lesson 4: Decomposers - What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
  • Decomposers play a key role in recycling matter and nutrients in an ecosystem.
• Lesson 5: Food Chains - How does energy flow from one organism to another?
  • Energy flows through an ecosystem from the Sun to producers and through consumers and decomposers.
• Lesson 6: Predator-Prey Relationships - How do predators and prey affect the numbers of organisms in an ecosystem?
  • Predator and prey populations are interrelated.
• Lesson 7: Food Webs - How are food chains connected in ecosystems?
  • Food chains in an ecosystem are interconnected, forming food webs.
• Lesson 8: Invasive Species - How can an invasive species affect a food web?
  • Invasive organisms can alter the flow of energy through food webs.