Title
Pod Investigation

Grade Level
6-10

Protocol
Beetles/Seeds

Abstract
Students investigate a "problem" with the Blue Palo Verde seed pods on campus. This is a scenario that will lead students into the Beetle/Plant protocol or into their own investigations. A scoring rubric and handouts are included.

Author
Ecology Explorers Education Team

AZ Standards
Middle School

• 1SC-E1 Identify a question, formulate a hypothesis, control and manipulate variables, devise experiments, predict outcomes, compare and analyze results, and defend conclusions
• 1SC-E3 Organize and present data gathered from their own experiences, using appropriate mathematical analyses and graphical representations
• 4SC-E7 Explain and model the interaction and interdependence of living and non-living components within ecosystems, including the adaptation of plants and animals to their environment
• 2M-E1 Construct, read, analyze and interpret tables, charts, graphs, and data plots (e.g., box-and-whisker, stem and leaf, and scatter plots)

• 1SC-P4 Create and defend a written plan of action for a scientific investigation
• 1SC-P6 Identify and refine a researchable question, conduct the experiment, collect and analyze data, share and discuss findings
• 4SC-P6 Describe and explain how the environment can affect the number of species and diversity of species in an environment
• 2M-P1 Construct and draw inferences including measures of central tendency, from charts, tables, graphs, and data plots that summarize data from real-world situations

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