Which Strategy is Best to Ensure the Conservation of Endangered Species? part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Using Issues to Teach Science:Examples
Susan Musante, HHMI
Students learn about endangered species and actions humans have taken to address the issue of endangered species. The Xpeditions lesson has students think about their experiences with zoos, learn about the reasons ...

Extinction: Is it inevitable? part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Using Issues to Teach Science:Examples
Susan Musante, HHMI
Students read an article titled "The Sixth Extinction" by Niles Eldredge on past mass extinctions and the current rate of loss of species. The instructor can choose from a suite of activities which include having students respond to discussion and extension questions about the article, write an essay on the article defending Eldredge's view, create an extinction chart, and debate the actions of stakeholders faced with an endangered species vs. human water needs scenario. Students will need to research additional references to complete the activities and be prepared to defend their positions.

Using Simpson's Reciprocal Index to Identify and Compare Habitat Biodiversity part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Joe Kissner
This activity is a field investigation where students will compare the biodiversity of two separate habitats based on the collection and identification of insects.

Investigating Biodiversity in your schoolyard part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Todd Koenig Zimmerman High School 25900 4th Street West Zimmerman, MN 55398 Based on an original activity from Mike Link and the Audubon Center of the North Woods
In this field lab students will investigate the biodiversity around their school. Students will perform a biodiversity count using transect line. The students will develop multiple hypotheses relating to biodiversity and propose additional procedures for studying, collecting and testing these questions.

Investigative Case - Los Angeles and the Future of Mono Lake part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:Investigative Case Based Learning:Examples
Developed by Monica Bruckner, Montana State University, based on the Los Angeles and the Future of Mono Lake WebQuest by Sarah Bordenstein, Marine Biological Laboratory.
The Los Angeles and the Future of Mono Lake WebQuest leads students in a guided exploration of Mono Lake's extreme environment and asks them to consider the preservation of this environment in relation to the needs of humans.

Seeing the Forest for the Trees: What's in Your Woods? part of Earth Exploration Toolbook:Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Whats in Your Woods?
DATA: Forest Inventory Growth and Analysis data, TOOLS: Spreadsheet, My World GIS SUMMARY: Investigate forest biodiversity in Maine and consider the environmental factors that contribute to tree species diversity.

Sampling Arthropod Diversity of a Schoolyard part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
J McClelland
Short Description: This is an inquiry investigation, geared toward student use of outdoor schoolyard sites. Its focus is to have students applying what they've learned about the scientific method and experimental design, gathering quantitative evidence to support hypotheses.

Investigative Case - Protistan Tales of Atlantic White Cedar Swamps part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:Investigative Case Based Learning:Examples
Developed by Monica Bruckner, Montana State University, based on the Protistan Tales of Atlantic White Cedar Swamps WebQuest by Sarah Bordenstein, Marine Biological Laboratory.
The Protistan Tales of Atlantic White Cedar Swamps WebQuest features a guided exploration of microbial diversity. It introduces students to the extreme habitat of the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp and encourages them to explore characteristics of the microorganisms that live there. The WebQuest applies the personification theme of Aesop's Fables as a means to acquaint students with protists. It challenges them to search for microbial "personality traits" and to implement these traits into a creative storyline.