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Accidental Travelers

Secondary, Middle

Description

In the activity "Accidental Travelers" students learn the ways in which non-native species inadvertently travel and can spread after entering ecosystems.

The activity begins with an invasive species card matching game where the students will match an illustration card with its description. After a discussion of how invasive species are transported from one ecosystem to another and how they spread once they arrive, students will then research in depth the introduction and spread of another invasive species from a given list. The students will share their findings in an oral report. 

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

"Accidental Travelers" is a great activity for use in the middle school Science classroom following the introduction of the terms invasive and non-native species. It supports outcomes related to biodiversity and ecosystems and the research project and presentation provide an opportunity for assessment.

Relevant Curriculum Units

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        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
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        • Science 7: Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (3)

  • Biodiversity
  • Invasive Species
  • Wildlife Protection

Land Use & Natural Resources (3)

  • Fisheries
  • Forests
  • Planting Native Species

Water (1)

  • Marine Environments

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