Lesson Plan Ilp Ecological Interactions and Plant Biology

Lesson Plan (ILP): Ecological Interactions and Plant Biology
Subject: Biology
Grade Level: 9/10
Time Frame: 2 class periods
Previous Lesson Recap (Niche Partitioning): Students explored the concept of niche
partitioning and its role in limiting interspecific competition. They considered examples of local
species, such as different bird species cohabitating in an area, and discussed how species
adapt to specific ecological niches, thereby reducing direct competition for resources.
Upcoming Lesson (Plant Growth Lab - Mitosis): Students will engage in a lab to understand
plant growth at the cellular level, focusing on the process of mitosis in different tissues, and will
relate this to the energy needs and growth processes of plants.
Lesson: It’s in the Poop Lab
NGSS Standards:
● LS2 (Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics): Understand the

interdependent relationships in an ecosystem.
● SEP3 (Planning and Carrying Out Investigations): Plan and conduct an investigation
to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence that meets the goals of an
investigation.
● E&M (Energy and Matter): Tracking flows of energy and cycles of matter into, out of,
and within systems help one understand their system’s behavior.
Performance Expectations:
● HS-LS2-2: Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based

on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems.
● HS-LS2-6: Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in
ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable
conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
Learning Objectives:
● Explain the relationship between elephants and plant life in their ecosystem through
seed dispersal.
● Carry out a controlled experiment to observe seed germination and growth from two
different sources: simulated “elephant poop” and soil.
● Understand the importance of controlled variables in scientific experiments.
● Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to draw conclusions about plant
growth conditions.
Materials:
● Video clips: Dr. Pringle’s techniques for fecal sampling, others as needed.
● Lab equipment: Petri dishes, wet paper towels, tape, seeds, "poop" mixture, soil, fine
mesh strainers.
● Materials for simulated “poop”: children’s play sand, peat moss.
● Seeds: radish seeds (quick sprout), asparagus seeds (long sprout).
● Data collection sheets, straightedge, pencil.
Lesson Activities:
1. Introduction (5 min):
○ Recap the idea of niche partitioning and its implications on species interactions.
○ Introduce the current lab by discussing how elephants contribute to the
ecosystem, focusing on seed dispersal.
2. Video Clip (5-10 min):
○ Play the Dr. Pringle video clip, ending at 5:42, to provide context on fecal
sampling and the importance of understanding what elephants eat.
○ Discuss with the class the role of elephants in seed dispersal and plant growth.
3. Lab Set-Up (15-20 min):
○ Explain the lab procedure and the preparation of the simulated "poop" and soil
substrates.
○ Divide students into pairs and guide them to collect seeds from their assigned
samples.
4. Conducting the Experiment (20 min):
○ Students set up their Petri dishes according to the procedure provided, ensuring
controlled variables are maintained.
○ Label the dishes and discuss the importance of the variables being tested, such
as light conditions.
5. Ongoing Discussion and Questions (10-15 min):
○ Engage students with questions about plant growth requirements, seed
germination, and the role of light.
6. Data Collection and Experiment Design (10-15 min):
○ Guide students through designing their experiments and ensure they have clear
hypotheses and understand their claims.
7. Formative Assessment (10 min):
○ Use the final question on the student lab sheet for a formative assessment to
gauge understanding and readiness for the next segment.
8. Clean Up (5 min):
○ Ensure all students properly clean their workstations and dispose of materials as
instructed.
9. Closure (5 min):
○ Summarize the day's activities, highlighting the key concepts of seed
germination, the role of elephants in ecosystems, and the significance of
controlled experiments.
○ Set expectations for the next class period when students will return to collect and
analyze their data.
Assessment:
● Formative assessment questions throughout the lesson.

● Observations of student participation and understanding during lab activities.
● Analysis of students’ data collection sheets and their participation in discussions.
Extension: Students may read an article on elephants' participation in seed dispersal and write
a brief summary or present their thoughts on the significance of this process to their peers.
Homework: Assign a reflective task for students to predict what they might observe in their
experiments and the implications of those outcomes for understanding plant growth and
ecosystem health.
Follow-Up: Data from this experiment will be used to lead into the next lesson on plant growth,
where students will observe mitosis and relate it to their current experiment’s results. This will
give them a comprehensive understanding of plant life cycles and their roles in ecosystems.

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Lesson Plan (ILP): Ecological Interactions and Plant Biology

Lesson: It’s in the Poop Lab

● LS2 (Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics): Understand the

● HS-LS2-2: Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based

● Formative assessment questions throughout the lesson.

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