Effects of Nitrates and Phosphates on Aquatic Ecosystems
East Side Middle School
Summer
Research Program for Science Teachers
August 2012
Subject:
General Science, Biology
Grade Level:
6-8
Unit:
Ecology
Time required: 1, 45 minute class period
Activity Overview:
Students now know that plants produce the food that fuels the rest of life on
Earth. Plants need multiple inputs to undergo photosynthesis, like Nitrates and
Phosphates, for nutrients.
Objectives: (With
correlation to NSE 5–8 Content Standards)
1.
Students
think critically and logically to relate evidence to explanations. (Inquiry: 1)
2.
An
organism regulates its internal environment by sensing the external environment
and changing its physiological activities to keep conditions within a survival
range. (Life Science: 3)
3.
Populations of organisms can be classified by the function they perform in an
ecosystem. Plants are producers, which produce food for their own energy needs.
(Life Science: 4)
Key Vocabulary:
Nitrates, phosphates, photosynthesis, producer
Materials:
For
class
Effects of Nitrates and Phosphates video
For each
student
Student Sheet,
“Nitrates and Phosphates”
Procedure:
1. Give students each a copy of the
Student Sheet.
2. Have students complete Part 1 as
a, “Think, Pair, Share”.
3. Read the directions for
Part 2. Show
video, “Effects of Nitrates and Phosphates”.
Stop video after each section to allow students to write down their
response. You may have to replay
video for students.
4. Share out responses as a class and discuss how aquatic ecosystems may respond
to increased amounts of Nitrates and Phosphates.
5. Have students complete Part 3 for homework and review next day.