Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Population Dynamics
Will human population growth always be exponential, or will we find a limiting factor we can't avoid? Young scientists learn about both exponential and logistic growth models in various animal populations. They use case studies to...
Kenan Fellows
Attack of the Aphids!
Insects threaten the food production industry, and aphids are one of the big players! Analyzing data of aphid populations gives insight into their behaviors. Learners model the population data of an uninhibited population with an...
Noyce Foundation
Double Down
Double the dog ears, double the fun. Five problems provide increasing challenges with non-linear growth. Topics include dog ears, family trees and population data, and geometric patterns.
Curated OER
Exponential Models
Students fit a constant growth rate exponential model to U.S. population data and use the model to predict future population. They write an equation to determine U.S. population based on constant growth rate model.
Curated OER
Population Models and Qualitative Analysis
In this quantitative analysis worksheet, students explore the limits of a rate equation. They use quantitative analysis methods to determine the differential, plot graphs of their values, and describe the relationships between the...
Curated OER
Graphing the Population Explosion of Weeds
Learners are introduced to the seed cycle and draw the specific steps. In groups, they identify the human barriers to the spreading of weeds. After calculating the rate of spreading of the Yellowstar Thistle, they create graphs to see a...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 4: Linear and Exponential Functions
Sequences and series are traditionally thought of as topics for the pre-calculus or calculus class, when learners are figuring out how to develop limits. But this unit uses patterns and slopes of linear functions in unique ways to bring...
Curated OER
Exponential Models
Students fit a continuous change exponential model to U.S. population data and use the model to predict future population.
Curated OER
American Political Thought: Minority Influence
Sixth graders brainstorm the reasons why people would want to leave their homeland to live in the United States. In groups, they research the political representation of the Board in New Haven, Connecticut. They also write a paper on...
Curated OER
Carrying Capacity of Ecosystems
Students define population and carrying. In this algebra lesson, students explore exponential growth and decay based on animals and things that grow or decrease exponentially. They graph their findings and discuss their results as they...
Curated OER
Home on the Range
Young scholars use maps and mathematics to determine the appropriate panther population in a given area. In this Florida ecology lesson, students research the area requirements of male and female panther and use a map to help calculate...
Curated OER
Graphing Functions
In this graphing functions worksheet, students write functions in logarithmic and exponential forms. They evaluate logarithms and determine the inverse of a function. Students graph functions. This six-page worksheet contains 20...
Curated OER
Composting
Eighth graders collect data from Bottle Biology compost columns and record using Excel spreadsheet.