Population Biology

Activities

  • Read the “Population Growth Rate” and do the exercises at the end with answers.
  • Have students run the “International Population Module” (IntlPop) applet or download the IntlPop program and have students complete this worksheet (doc). I used a projector and had students do the exercise as a class. The module allows you to compare various parameters for populations in different parts of the world.
  • This “Interpreting Data” worksheet has several population related activities.
  • Do this “Population Biology” (doc) crossword puzzle.
  • Try this “Random Sampling” activity.
  • Have students do the “Population Biology” (doc) wordsearch puzzle with answers (doc).
  • Introduce the “Populations” (pdf) vocabulary with another of Sue Hinojoza’s concept maps.
  • “Oh Deer!” (doc) is a game designed to help students understand the importance of suitable habitat for animal populations and recognize factors that may affect wildlife populations in changing ecosystems. It was designed by Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science.
  • Try this “PopCycle” simulation. It includes a tutorial and worksheet.

Labs

  • This “Estimating Population Size” lab includes teacher instructions.
  • Or do this “Determining the Size of an Animal Population” (doc) lab.
  • The Lesson of the Kaibab” lab demonstrates how environmental changes affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem.
  • The lab in this Teacher’s Domain lesson (You must register for free to access) could be started while studying “Population Growth,” The lab involves growing duckweed over a 2 or 3 week period, but students also compare it’s growth to that of other invasive species shown in the included videos. This segment could be used while studying the diversity of life.

Links

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