Showing posts with label ecosystems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ecosystems. Show all posts
I love integrating STEM challenges into science units!  This pollinator STEM challenge is a great way to integrate STEM with ecosystems in second grade!

This project comes after our study of how organisms within an ecosystem depend on each other.

First, we read the problem digital slide about Farmer Dave and his need for an efficient pollinator.  Then, we brainstormed ideas for how to build a pollinator model to solve this problem.

To prep this challenge, I got the materials listed on the planning page.  (There is also a blank planning page so you can add your own materials.)

Once the plan was made, we were ready to build!  We built a simple bug from pompoms and pipe cleaners.  It kinda reminds me of an ant on a stick! :)   We also prepped the flowerbed ecosystem by using cupcake liners and coffee grounds and cornmeal.

Once the "flowerbed" was prepped we were ready to test out our model.  We practiced "pollinating" by dipping our bug into the cornmeal and then the coffee grounds.  We went back and forth a few times.

If you look closely in the cornmeal, you can see where the coffee grounds mixed in!

This was clearly a successful pollination!  Mixed pollen in both flowers and pollen all over our bug!

Finally, we wrote about our model pollinator and brainstormed ways to improve it!

You can find this STEM challenge separately here and with more activities on ecosystems and interdependence for 2nd grade in this Ecosystems Unit.

2nd grade Next Gen Science standards talk about Ecosystems.  One big concept in this unit is interdependence!  Here's a look at the book, activity and craft that I used to build understanding about interdependence within an ecosystem.
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We start by reading this awesome trade book about the cactus ecosystem in the desert.
Image result for the cactus hotel

As we read, we chart all of the biotic and abiotic parts in this ecosystem.  I also add arrows to show how some of these parts depend on each other as well as the cactus.

Then, we do a cut and paste activity to show the interconnectedness of the cactus hotel.

Next, we write about our own cactus hotel.  We brainstorm who we depend on in our lives and how we depend on them (mom for dinner, house for a warm place to stay...).  And we also talk about anyone or anything that depends on us (pets for food, bedroom for cleaning...). 

We also make this cute cactus craft to display with our writing.  

Here's how I made this 3D cactus craft!

I cut out the templates from the ecosystems unit.  I cut 3 large green ovals and two small green ovals.  Plus, I cut 3 brown pots.

I folded the large ovals in half and then glued the halves together so that it made a 3D cactus.

I used a black crayon to add the lines and ridges.

Next, I cut small lime green triangles to add a few spikes to the cactus.

Finally, I added a pink tissue paper flower to the top and stapled the brown pots around the base.

This 3D cactus will stand up or you can put a string through a top hole and hang them!  If you want to display the cactus with your cactus hotel writing, you can also make a 2D version to glue above the writing!

All of these templates, charts and activities can be found in this second grade Ecosystems Unit.

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