Iowa Academic Standards for Science: Biodiversity Bonanza

The Biodiversity Bonanza module helps to fulfill the following standards in the Iowa Academic Standards for Science:

Third Grade

3-LS4-3
Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat, some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

3-LS4-4
Make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change.

Fourth Grade

4-ESS2-2
Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features.

Fifth Grade

5-PS3-1
Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the sun.

5-LS2-1
Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.

5-ESS2-1
Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.

5-ESS3-1
Obtain and combine information about ways individuals and communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.

Sixth Grade

6-ESS2-1
Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth’s materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.

Seventh Grade

7-LS2-1
Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

7-LS2-2
Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.

7-LS2-3
Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.

7-LS2-4
Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

7-LS2-5
Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Eighth Grade

8-LS1-6
Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.

High School

HS-LS2-1
Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.

HS-LS2-2
Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.

HS-LS2-6
Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.

HS-LS2-7
Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for increasing environmental sustainability and biodiversity.

HS-LS4-5
Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species.

HS-ESS3-4
Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces society’s influence on natural systems.