Grade Four through Grade 12
Defining endangered, threatened and extinct, this program will introduce students to the problems facing many wildlife species. Students will learn the causes and how they can be part of the solutions to help the endangered animals at the Zoo and around the world.
Standards Addressed by this Topic:
Earth and Space Sciences
Benchmark D (9-10)
Describe the finite nature of Earth's resources and those human activities that can conserve or deplete Earth's resources.
Grade 10 Indicator
5. Explain how the acquisition and use of resources, urban growth and waste disposal can accelerate natural change and impact the quality of life.
Benchmark C (11-12)
Explain that humans are an integral part of the Earth's system and the choices humans make today impact natural systems in the future.
Grade 11 Indicators
12. Explain ways in which humans have had a major effect on other species.
14. Conclude that Earth has finite resources and explain that humans deplete some resources faster than they can be renewed.
Life Sciences
Benchmark C (3-5)
Compare changes in an organism's ecosystem/habitat that affect its survival.
Grade Five Indicator
4. Summarize that organisms can survive only in ecosystems in which their needs can be met (e.g., food, water, shelter, air, carrying capacity and waste disposal). The world has different ecosystems and distinct ecosystems support the lives of different types of organisms.
Benchmark B (6-8)
Describe the characteristics of an organism in terms of a combination of inherited traits and recognize reproduction as a characteristic of living organisms essential to the continuation of the species.
Grade Seven Indicator
8. Investigate the great diversity among organisms.
Benchmark C (6-8)
Explain how energy entering the ecosystems as sunlight supports the life of organisms through photosynthesis and the transfer of energy through the interactions of organisms and the environment.
Grade Six Indicator
8. Describe how organisms may interact with one another.
Benchmark D (6-8)
Explain how extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and its adaptive characteristics are insufficient to allow survival.
Grade Seven Indicator
4. Investigate how overpopulation impacts an ecosystem.
Grade Eight Indicator
5. Investigate how an organism adapted to a particular environment may become extinct if the environment, as shown by the fossil record, changes.
Benchmark G (9-10)
Describe how human activities can impact the status of natural systems.
Grade 10 Indicators
18. Describe ways that human activities can deliberately or inadvertently alter the equilibrium in ecosystems. Explain how changes in technology/biotechnology can cause significant changes, either positive or negative, in environmental quality and carrying capacity.
19. Illustrate how uses of resources at local, state, regional, national, and global levels have affected the quality of life.
Benchmark B (11-12)
Explain how humans are connected to and impact natural systems.
Grade 11 Indicator
5. Investigate the impact on the structure and stability of ecosystems due to changes in their biotic and abiotic components as a result of human activity.
Benchmark E (11-12)
Explain the interconnectedness of the components of a natural system.
Grade 11 Indicator
6. Predict some possible impacts on an ecosystem with the introduction of a non-native species.
Grade 12 Indicator
8. Based on the structure and stability of ecosystems and their nonliving components, predict the biotic and abiotic changes in such systems when disturbed.
Benchmark F (11-12)
Explain how human choices today will affect the quality and quantity of life on earth.
Grade 11 Indicator
9. Give examples of how human activity can accelerate rates of natural change and can have unforeseen consequences.
Science and Technology
Benchmark A (3-5)
Describe how technology affects human life.
Grade Five Indicator
1. Investigate positive and negative impacts of human activity and technology on the environment.
Benchmark A (6-8)
Give examples of how technological advances, influenced by scientific knowledge, affect the quality of life.
Grade Six Indicator
2. Explain how decisions about the use of products and systems can result in desirable or undesirable consequences.
Call (614) 645-3410 to register. Three week advance reservation required.