Learners conduct a simulation to explore how scientists estimate the size of animal populations. They analyze a random sample and then extrapolate those results to a larger population. Additionally, they will apply the principals of...

In this random sampling worksheet, students compare data collected by a random sample to data collected by an actual count using pieces of paper with numbers written on them. They compare their data for the actual count to the random...

Space science stars journey through our night sky and take virtual photos of galaxies to investigate simple random samples. Higher math is used to analyze the data collected. Copy the evaluation/assessment questions onto a handout...

How do we count the fish in the ocean? An engaging lesson models how to estimate fish populations with observational surveys. Class members begin by studying the behavior of fish on the coral reef in the oceans. They...

Students experiment and compare results of two populations. In this men and women populations activity, students examine the difference in hand span for men and women.  Students calculate a norm based on their...

Young scholars learn how to count animal populations by the Mark and Recapture method. In this counting animal populations lesson plan, students begin by predicting amounts of different candies in a jar. Young scholars then simulate...

Learners design an investigation using yeast. In this environmental engineering lesson, students design an investigation to determine how environmental factors affect the growth of yeast. They will collect quantitative data and discuss...

Math and science to the rescue! Some basic math concepts help scientists predict wildlife populations. Using tokens, groups simulate tagging a wildlife population. They then use proportions to estimate the population of the wildlife.

Seventh graders simulate the capture-recapture method of population sampling using beans. In this biology lesson, 7th graders calculate the total population of beans in the bowl. They assess whether this method is reliable or not.

They say elephants never forget—and your class won't forget an insightful modeling activity either! Junior zoologists take part in a mock elephant census using the sample count and total count methods. The included materials provide...

In this parts per hundred worksheet, students read about describing components of a population by parts per a given number such as 100, 100 or 1 million. Students are given 6 problems to calculate the parts per hundred for each sample...

What's that buzzing in your ear? An insightful lesson about genetically modified mosquitoes! Partnered pupils explore the creation, release, and monitoring of mosquitoes designed to reduce the mosquito population. After watching a video,...

Simulate a random sampling of data by tearing 20 sheets of paper into slips and place a number on 10 and a letter on 10. They place the slips in two separate containers and randomly draw a number and a letter. They record their...

Learners experiment with pea pods to observe/appreciate the diversity of individuals within a population, and to explain of how dominant and recessive traits, genotypes, and phenotypes help produce variation in a population.

Young scholars explore population growth. They calculate how long it takes a country's population to double in size and to investigate factors affecting growth rate. In addition, they list of factors they think might affect growth rate

With this estimating populations assignment, your class will learn about taking random population samples and calculating the average number of species in the samples to estimate the total population. Learners use the given data to find...

Have you always wanted to take your science class on an amazing field trip they will never forget? Now you can! Observe the wildlife in an African savanna through trail cameras with a five-part data analysis activity. Learners analyze...

Students experiment with peapods to show the diversity of individual within a population. They examine dominant traits, recessive traits, genotypes, and phenotypes and show the process of making a Punnett Square.

How quickly do animals evolve? Can comparing different samples of the same fossil answer timeline questions? Scholars use virtual labs to examine fossils and learn about stickleback evolution. They compare pelvic morphology in lakes...

Can a coral cure cancer? Take seventh and eighth grade science sleuths to the underwater drugstore for an investigation into emerging pharmaceutical research. The fifth installment in a series of six has classmates research the wealth of...

Third graders model the tag and recapture of bears and use proportions to estimate the population of the bears in their forest. This is a statistical sampling method used by scientists and naturalists to determine population numbers.

Students investigate the different leaves of Wisconsin. They gather samples of leaves in order to compare to the samples taken from Puerto Rico. They make observations and collect data recording the size, shape, and texture of the...

Students explore the proximity of the Hudson Shelf Valley and the Hudson Canyon to one of the Nation's most populated areas. They study that from 1987 to 1992, two dumpsites in the Hudson Shelf Valley and Hudson Canyon, one 12 miles

Students survey and describe a stream ecosystem. They sample the benthic macroinvertebrate populations of a given stream and determine community structure through the use of the Chandler Index and a species diversity index.