Summary
A model can be a visual or physical representation of a scientific process. Because recycling carbon within an ecosystem requires many processes, a model is a perfect way to bring all the pieces together and demonstrate how matter and energy move through living and nonliving environments.
Think Like a Scientist
Now that you have learned about modeling in science, you should be able to answer the following focus questions:
What types of models can show the cycling of matter and energy?
Talk Like a Scientist
There is a new vocabulary term in this lesson:
Food Chain: a series of organisms that each depend on the adjacent organism as a source of food
Experiment Like aScientist
Conservation Models Activity
You have explored some informative examples of models. Now it's time to get creative and make your own model. Here is the requirement checklist for your model:
Model types can include drawings, diagrams, physical models, virtual simulations, or videos.
Model must be created by you, not something selected from an online or outside source.
Submit a presentation, picture, video, or screenshot of your model.
Submit a one-paragraph summary describing the topic you chose, your model, what it represents, how you made it, and the specific science involved. It is important that you are using science terminology and are accurate.
Now that you know how to create and submit your model, you will need to choose a topic for your model. Choose one of the three topics listed below. Select each topic for an overview.
Topic One—Photosynthesis
Diagram of photosynthesis
Construct a model to show the movement of matter and energy from plants into other organisms. Show how mass and energy are conserved before and after each interaction. For example, the beginning substances before an interaction equal the ending substances, and vice versa. Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that release energy as this matter moves through an organism. For example, the total number of atoms of beginning compounds of cellular respiration equals the number of atoms of ending compounds, plus energy.
Oxygen is combined with glucose. The substances produce carbon dioxide with water and energy stored in molecules
In cellular respiration, the atoms in glucose and oxygen are rearranged, forming carbon dioxide and water. The cell uses the energy released to produce energy. Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. You should use multiple parts of the carbon cycle to demonstrate this cycle. Conservation Models Activity Grading Rubric
(30 points possible)
Skilled Scientist Developing Scientist Novice Scientist
Activity Summary 15–10 points
The summary includes a detailed and accurate description with adequate science information and terminology of the model created, what it represented, and how it was made. Very few errors exist. 9–4 points
The summary includes a limited but accurate description with limited science information and terminology of the model created, what it represented, and how it was made. Very few errors exist. 3–0 points
The summary includes a limited and inaccurate description with limited science information and terminology of the model created, what it represented, and how it was made. Many errors exist.
Model Design 15–10 points
The student demonstrates accurate scientific thinking and novelty in the design of their model. The model accurately depicts the selected topic. 9–4 points
The student demonstrates limited scientific thinking and novelty in the design of their model. The model somewhat accurately depicts the selected topic. 3–0 points
The student demonstrates limited scientific thinking and novelty in the design of their model. The model does not accurately depict the selected topic.
