8th Grade Teachers

8th Grade Summary 

Students learn the importance of wetland habitat through ecosystem services. Content will focus on data collection of plant diversity and water flow rates in different substrates.

During the Exploration Day at Sweetwater Marsh, students are introduced to the wetland ecosystem and benefits they provide to the environment and humans. They investigate ecosystem services of a real wetland and use scientific tools to identify plants and measure percolation rates of different sediments.

During the Make a Difference Day in their classroom, students build a model of a wetland to understand the process of water filtration.  Students make a difference today by writing a postcard to advocate for protection of the wetlands.  Collectively, these experiences build students’ belief that science is important and relevant, and that they can make a difference in the world.

NGSS Alignment:

Performance Expectations

• MS-LS2-4: Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
• MS-LS2-5: Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

DCI

• LS2.C Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience: Ecosystems are dynamic in nature; their characteristics can vary overtime. Disruptions to any physical or biological component of an ecosystem can lead to shifts in all its populations.
• LS4.D Biodiversity and Humans: Changes in biodiversity can influence humans’ resources, such as food, energy, and medicines, as well as ecosystem services that humans rely on – for example, water purification and recycling.
• ETS1.B Developing Possible Solutions: Designs can be conveyed through sketches, drawings, or physical models. These representations are useful in communicating ideas for a problem’s solutions to other people.

Crosscutting Concepts
Systems and System Models – students understand that a system is a group of related parts that make up a whole and can carry out functions its individual parts cannot. They can also describe a system in terms of its components and their interactions.

Stability and Change – Stability might be disturbed either by sudden events or gradual changes that accumulate over time.

Lesson Media: 

• Make a Difference Day PowerPoint Slides 

• Clark Middle School
• Wilson Middle School

Wetland Information

• What is a wetland? (NOAA National Ocean Service)
• Coastal Wetlands (Monterey Bay Aquarium)
• San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service): Info on field trip location (Sweetwater Marsh)

Exposure to Scientist / Science Careers

• Letters to a Pre-Scientist:  https://prescientist.org/for-teachers/
• Skype a Scientist
• Black in Science: Organization that supports and amplifies Black voices in the field of Marine Sciences.
  • • • • Black in Science Youtube Channel

Hope in the Water

• Expose your students to sustainable food systems in the Blue Workforce – from aquafarmers to scientists.
• Includes short videos and classroom resources.