wipAdirondack Curriculum Project - www.adkcurriculumproject.org
NYS Content Area Standard

MST 4. Science
Standard 4:
This challenge addresses the following state standards: 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3,2.4, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 2.2, 3.1

 Title: Genetics & Biodiversity of Aquatic Plants
Grade Level: 10th grade

Author: Jeff Ormsbee
Niskayuna Central School

Email: jormsbee@niskyschools.org
 Adirondack Curriculum Content Area
_X_ Natural History
___ Human History
___ Culture & the Arts
___ Government & Civics
___ Economy
___ Health, Recreation & Life Skills

Investigative Question or Issue: Is Eurasian milfoil able to hybridize with native aquatic plants?

 Challenge:  
In a team of four, create a powerpoint presentation that demonstrates a persuasive answer to the investigative question posed above. 

Your presentation should have the following elements:
  • Background on the topic including:
    • Ecological information on Northern Water Milfoil, Farwells Milfoil and Eurasian Milfoil
    • Description of competitive exclusion/invasion ecology
  • Data and observations (electrophoresis gel map)
  • Conclusions (guiding questions on attached sheet)
  • Suggestions for further research

Quality Standards:

  • Each group member chooses and completes research on one of the areas in the background section.
  • All group members understand the areas of research completed by other members in their group.
  • Each group member can accurately demonstrate the use of gel electorphoresis and probes.
  • Each group member can accurately explain how probes are used in electrophoresis.
  • Each group member can identify similarities and differences between species based on the model electrophoresis.
  • The group comes to a consensus about related research that could be done based on their findings.
  • A research design protocol is created by the group that illustrates a minimun of four elements of sound scientific research.
Adapted for the Adirondack Curriculum Project from the work of Education By Design TM and Leading EDGE, LLC ©ACP 2002

   Product Quality
Checklist
Date: ________                                                                     Class Period: ________
Product Author(s):

 
 Genetics & Biodiversity of Aquatic Plants
Evaluator Name(s)
 
 Observed Standard/Criteria
Possible
Points
Rating

Background section contains accurate descriptions of:

 
Invasion ecology/competitive exclusion.
  
  
 
Northern Aquatic milfoil ecology.    
   
 
Farwells Milfoil ecololgy.    

 
 
Eurasian Water Milfoil ecology.    

 
  Model electrophoresis is submitted and accurately completed.
 

Each student submits analysis questions.
    

Each group submits a research proposal containing:


Hypothesis



Justification for this research


Protocol of how this will be completed, showing four    components of sound scientific research.

 
TOTALS
  100  

bri Product of the 2008 ACP Biodiversity Workshop, funded by a grant from the New York Biodiversity Research Institute.

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