Invasive Species- What's the worst that could happen? – Grades 9-12

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Curriculum Standards Alignment Topic: Invasive Species: What’s the Worst That Could Happen? Grade Levels: 9-12 NEW JERSEY – Core Curriculum Content Standards English Language Arts: 3.1. Reading 3.2. Writing 3.3. Speaking 3.4. Listening 3.5. Viewing and Literacy Social Studies: 6.1.B. U.S. History, Geography, People and Environment 6.1.C. U.S. History, Economics, Innovation and Technology 6.3.B. Active Citizenship, Geography, People and Environment 6.3.C. Active Citizenship, Economics, Innovation and Technology Technology: 8.1. Educational Technology 8.2. Technology Education, Engineering and Design NEW JERSEY – Core Curriculum Content Standards for Science 5.1. Science Practices 5.1.A. Understand Scientific Explanations 5.1.B. Generate Scientific Evidence through Active Investigations 5.1.C. Reflect on Scientific Knowledge 5.1.D. Participate Productively in Science 5.3. Life Science 5.3.C. Interdependence 5.3.E. Evolution and Diversity NEW YORK – Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 1 - Mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, engineering design 2 - Using appropriate technology 4 - Science: integration and application 6 - Relationships and common themes 7 - Problem solving in the real world 21st Century Life and Careers: 9.1. 21st Century Life and Careers 9.3. Awareness, Exploration and Preparation 9.4. Career and Technical Education 4 Discovery Challenges Invasive Species: Grades 9-12
Your Challenge: What’s the Worst That Could Happen? In this Discovery Challenge, students will explore the concepts of species survival and adaption. They will relate these traits to ecosystem diversity and stability. A healthy ecosystem has many interdependent species that live in a dynamic balance, and invasive species can disrupt this delicate balance. Invasive species are defined as organisms that are introduced from other ecosystems (therefore, they are sometimes called aliens or exotics), reproduce quickly, and cause harm to the new ecosystem in some way. Based on students’ understanding of ecosystem stability, they are asked to invent a worst case invasive species scenario for a local ecosystem and write a report to present to local lawmakers. Students should pick an ecosystem in the Hudson River Estuary or be assigned one. Examples include freshwater marsh, saltwater harbor, or upland tree stands. Their species can be imaginary, so encourage students to be as creative as possible when thinking about their report. Finished reports should answer: • What type of organism is it? • What specific adaptations does this organism have to compete with native species? • Where did it originally come from? • How was it introduced to this region? • What impacts will this species have on a local ecosystem? • What prevention and control methods can be employed against the invasion? In addition to their report, have students give brief oral presentations to the class about their scenario and explain why lawmakers should be concerned about the species as the greatest threat to a local ecosystem. Discovery Challenges Invasive Species: Grades 9-12 5
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Invasive Species- What's the worst that could happen? – Grades 9-12

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