Find Resources

Human population growth, globalization, and industrialization are having profound impacts on the long term health and stability of ecosystems, permanently altering the products of billions of years of evolutionary history on planet Earth. In this unit, students create plans to address the population decline of endangered species, gaining a greater understanding of how humans have altered ecosystems and what actions may be taken (including the use of biotechnology) to preserve biodiversity. Students create models and utilize simulations to gain a deeper understanding of large scale geological and biological processes.

In this performance task, students address the following task: "How are human activities altering the physical and living environment? Is it possible to save species from extinction? To answer these questions, write a narrative explaining three possible actions that could lead to the survival of a specific keystone species that is currently under threat. Use evidence from texts, videos, and secondary data sources, along with sound scientific reasoning and logic, to create your narrative."

Advances in technology have opened up new possibilities in fields as diverse as medicine, food production, and conservation biology. In manipulating living organisms, humans have the ability to solve many of society's concerns. However, a deep understanding of the technologies and the ethical implications involved must be brought into the decision making process. In this sequence, students will have the opportunity to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using biotechnology as a tool in conservation biology.