Title of lesson: Sim Ant

Source/ Author(s): Craig Boneau,

Target Audience: High School Biology

Lesson plan:

I. Performance or learner outcomes

The student will be able to:

Use a computer software program.

Observe and participate in an ecosystem

Observe defense strategies, behavioral adaptations, and social activities of ants.

Discuss the observations in the context of the real world.

II. Overview

Students will use the software program Sim Ant to get an opportunity to participate in a ecosystem as a member of an ant colony.

III. Resources, materials and supplies needed

Computers, one for each group

Sim Ant software

Supplementary Materials, Handouts:

Sim Ant Questions:

What is the caste system (social structure) of the colony?

What are the most important role of each caste?

Give a behavioral adaptation seen in Sim Ant?

How does the environment affect your ant colony?

How do four surrounding organisms affect your ant colony?

How does your ant colony affect four surrounding organisms?

V. Standards

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

Investigations are used to learn about the natural world.

A system is a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact. Students should understand a whole in terms of its components and how these components relate to each other and to the whole.

The student knows that interdependence and interactions occur within an ecosystem. Interpret interactions among organisms exhibiting predation, parasitism, commensalisms, and mutualism; compare variations, tolerances and interactions in an ecosystem.

National Standards (NSTA/NCTM)

Organisms both cooperate and compete in ecosystems. The interrelationships and interdependencies of these organisms may generate ecosystems that are stable for hundreds or thousands of years.

Human beings live within the world’s ecosystems. Increasingly humans modify ecosystems as a result of population growth, technology, and consumption.

National Technology Standards

Developing students understanding about science and technology through use of a computer software program.

Engagement

Student behaviors / activities	Teacher behaviors / activities
Listen to introduction.	Introduce Sim Ant to the students.

.

Exploration

Student behaviors / activities	Teacher behaviors / activities
Play Sim Ant.	Make sure students go through tutorial first, then circulate to assist any group that may have questions.

Explanation

Student behaviors / activities	Teacher behaviors / activities
Participate in discussion.	Discuss ecosystems with students. Highlight the interdependence of all of the organisms on each other. Ask students to talk about the ecosystem they were in in Sim Ant.

Elaboration

Student behaviors / activities	Teacher behaviors / activities
Answer questions on worksheet.	Give worksheet. After grading worksheets, go over them and have students explain their answers.

Evaluation

Student behaviors / activities	Teacher behaviors / activities
Turn in worksheet. Participate in class discussion.	Grade worksheets Observe participation in discussion.