From Biosphere to Atom - Organization of Living Systems

Abstract

This activity, designed to support the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), includes three dimensions of learning: the Science and Engineering Practice of developing and using models based on evidence to illustrate relationships between systems and components of a system, the Crosscutting Concepts of Systems and System Models and Structure and Function, and the Disciplinary Core Ideas of systems of specialized cells, and the hierarchical structure of organisms. Beginning with what students can observe, the activity explores nested hierarchies that make up ecosystems and the biosphere. The second model zooms in on organisms, demonstrating that there are nested hierarchies at both visible and invisible levels.

Level: High School

Setting: Classroom

Activity Type: Learning Cycle

Discipline: Biology: Structure and Function

Course: High School Biology

Keywords: organism, cell, community, ecosystem, hierarchical organization