It’s A Ruffe Life: An Introduction to Invasive Species
Topics: Ecosystems Food webs Human Impacts on Environment Invasive Species Population Studies St. Louis River
Skills: Modeling Observation Questioning
Grade Levels: Grades 3-5 Grades 6-8 Grades K-2
Resource Types: Kits
Settings: Indoors
This lesson involves two activities. Students begin the lesson by matching images of common invasive species in Lake Superior or the St. Louis River with their characteristics and impacts. Students then engage in a musical-chairs-like activity that simulates the impacts of Eurasian ruffe on the natural ecosystem of the St. Louis River.
Before adding invasive species to the activity, the concept of carrying capacity is demonstrated. The lesson concludes with a discussion about the impact that multiple stressors have on natural ecosystems and how people can help avoid creating more stress by minimizing the spread of invasive species.
Download a PDF of the lesson plan.
Minnesota Science Standards: 0.4.1.1.1, 0.4.2.1.1, 1.1.3.1.1, 1.4.1.1.1, 1.4.2.1.1, 1.4.2.1.2, 3.4.1.1.1, 3.4.1.1.2, 4.1.2.1.1, 5.1.1.1.4, 5.1.3.4.1, 5.3.4.1.3, 5.4.2.1.1, 5.4.2.1.2, 5.4.4.1.1, 6.1.3.1.1, 7.4.2.1.1, 7.4.2.1.2, 7.4.2.1.3, 8.3.4.1.2,
Credit: Science Institute for Educators 2012-2013