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  • Texas Standards
  • Science: 8th Grade

Texas - Science: 8th Grade

Essential Knowledge and Skills | Adopted: 2017

This correlation lists the recommended Gizmos for this state's curriculum standards. Click any Gizmo title below for more information.

1: : Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student, for at least 40% of instructional time, conducts laboratory and field investigations following safety procedures and environmentally appropriate and ethical practices.


1.A: : The student is expected to: demonstrate safe practices during laboratory and field investigations as outlined in Texas Education Agency-approved safety standards; and

Screenshot of Diffusion

Diffusion

Explore the motion of particles as they bounce around from one side of a room to the other through an adjustable gap or partition. The mass of the particles can be adjusted, as well as the temperature of the room and the initial number of particles. In a real-world context, this can be used to learn about how odors travel, fluids move through gaps, the thermodynamics of gases, and statistical probability. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Hearing: Frequency and Volume

Hearing: Frequency and Volume

Test your hearing range by listening to low-, medium-, and high-frequency sounds. Compare the relative loudness of sounds at each frequency to create an equal-loudness curve. In a quiet room, measure your threshold of audibility for each frequency, and compare your results to others. The volume of each sound can be adjusted. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

2: : Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific practices during laboratory and field investigations.


2.A: : The student is expected to: plan and implement comparative and descriptive investigations by making observations, asking well defined questions, and using appropriate equipment and technology;

Screenshot of Diffusion

Diffusion

Explore the motion of particles as they bounce around from one side of a room to the other through an adjustable gap or partition. The mass of the particles can be adjusted, as well as the temperature of the room and the initial number of particles. In a real-world context, this can be used to learn about how odors travel, fluids move through gaps, the thermodynamics of gases, and statistical probability. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Effect of Environment on New Life Form

Effect of Environment on New Life Form

Using the scientific method, control the environmental conditions for a fictional alien organism in order to learn how the organism responds to changes in conditions. Sunlight, water, and temperature can be varied to determine their effects on the shape of the aliens. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Hearing: Frequency and Volume

Hearing: Frequency and Volume

Test your hearing range by listening to low-, medium-, and high-frequency sounds. Compare the relative loudness of sounds at each frequency to create an equal-loudness curve. In a quiet room, measure your threshold of audibility for each frequency, and compare your results to others. The volume of each sound can be adjusted. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Pendulum Clock

Pendulum Clock

Find the effect of length, mass, and angle on the period of a pendulum. The pendulum is attached to a clock that can be adjusted to tell time accurately. The clock can be located on Earth or Jupiter to determine the effect of gravity. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Real-Time Histogram

Real-Time Histogram

Try to click your mouse once every 2 seconds. The time interval between each click is recorded, as well as the error and percent error. Data can be displayed in a table, histogram, or scatter plot. Observe and measure the characteristics of the resulting distribution when large amounts of data are collected. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Sight vs. Sound Reactions

Sight vs. Sound Reactions

Measure your reaction time by clicking your mouse as quickly as possible when visual or auditory stimuli are presented. The individual response times are recorded, as well as the mean and standard deviation for each test. A histogram of data shows overall trends in sight and sound response times. The type of test as well as the symbols and sounds used are chosen by the user. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Time Estimation

Time Estimation

Try to estimate the passage of time by selecting a time interval, clicking the Start button, and clicking Stop when you think the interval has passed. The estimate and percent error are recorded. Compare different techniques for estimating time, as well as the average error for long time intervals versus shorter intervals. 5 Minute Preview


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2.B: : The student is expected to: design and implement experimental investigations by making observations, asking well defined questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and using appropriate equipment and technology;

Screenshot of Boyle's Law and Charles's Law

Boyle's Law and Charles's Law

Investigate the properties of an ideal gas by performing experiments in which the temperature is held constant (Boyle's Law), and others in which the pressure remains fixed (Charles's Law). The pressure is controlled through the placement of masses on the lid of the container, and temperature is controlled with an adjustable heat source. Gay-Lussac's law relating pressure to temperature can also be explored by keeping the volume constant. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors

Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors

In this followup to the Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors activity, investigate the impacts of fishing, disease, and invasive species on a model Caribbean coral reef. Many variables can be manipulated, included intensity of fishing, presence of black band and white band disease, and the presence of actual and potential invasive species. Click "Advance year" to see the impacts of these biotic changes. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Diffusion

Diffusion

Explore the motion of particles as they bounce around from one side of a room to the other through an adjustable gap or partition. The mass of the particles can be adjusted, as well as the temperature of the room and the initial number of particles. In a real-world context, this can be used to learn about how odors travel, fluids move through gaps, the thermodynamics of gases, and statistical probability. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Effect of Environment on New Life Form

Effect of Environment on New Life Form

Using the scientific method, control the environmental conditions for a fictional alien organism in order to learn how the organism responds to changes in conditions. Sunlight, water, and temperature can be varied to determine their effects on the shape of the aliens. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Growing Plants

Growing Plants

Investigate the growth of three common garden plants: tomatoes, beans, and turnips. You can change the amount of light each plant gets, the amount of water added each day, and the type of soil the seed is planted in. Observe the effect of each variable on plant height, plant mass, leaf color and leaf size. Determine what conditions produce the tallest and healthiest plants. Height and mass data are displayed on tables and graphs. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Hearing: Frequency and Volume

Hearing: Frequency and Volume

Test your hearing range by listening to low-, medium-, and high-frequency sounds. Compare the relative loudness of sounds at each frequency to create an equal-loudness curve. In a quiet room, measure your threshold of audibility for each frequency, and compare your results to others. The volume of each sound can be adjusted. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Pendulum Clock

Pendulum Clock

Find the effect of length, mass, and angle on the period of a pendulum. The pendulum is attached to a clock that can be adjusted to tell time accurately. The clock can be located on Earth or Jupiter to determine the effect of gravity. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Programmable Rover

Programmable Rover

In this introduction to coding, program a rover to explore the surface of Mars. Start by using tiles to create simple programs involving moving forward or backward, turns, jumps, loops, and picking up rock samples. Then use text instructions to optimize your code. Use your skills to program the rover to complete six challenging missions on Mars. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Real-Time Histogram

Real-Time Histogram

Try to click your mouse once every 2 seconds. The time interval between each click is recorded, as well as the error and percent error. Data can be displayed in a table, histogram, or scatter plot. Observe and measure the characteristics of the resulting distribution when large amounts of data are collected. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Seed Germination

Seed Germination

Perform experiments with several seed types to see what conditions yield the highest germination (sprouting) rate. Three different types of seeds can be studied, and the temperature, water and light in the germination chamber can be controlled. No two trials will have the same result so repeated trials are recommended. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Sight vs. Sound Reactions

Sight vs. Sound Reactions

Measure your reaction time by clicking your mouse as quickly as possible when visual or auditory stimuli are presented. The individual response times are recorded, as well as the mean and standard deviation for each test. A histogram of data shows overall trends in sight and sound response times. The type of test as well as the symbols and sounds used are chosen by the user. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric

Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric

Observe the sex ratios of birds and geckos as they hatch in an incubator. Vary the temperature of the incubator and measure the percentages of male and female hatchlings to determine if temperature has an effect on sex. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Time Estimation

Time Estimation

Try to estimate the passage of time by selecting a time interval, clicking the Start button, and clicking Stop when you think the interval has passed. The estimate and percent error are recorded. Compare different techniques for estimating time, as well as the average error for long time intervals versus shorter intervals. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

2.D: : The student is expected to: construct tables and graphs, using repeated trials and means, to organize data and identify patterns; and

Screenshot of Diffusion

Diffusion

Explore the motion of particles as they bounce around from one side of a room to the other through an adjustable gap or partition. The mass of the particles can be adjusted, as well as the temperature of the room and the initial number of particles. In a real-world context, this can be used to learn about how odors travel, fluids move through gaps, the thermodynamics of gases, and statistical probability. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Seed Germination

Seed Germination

Perform experiments with several seed types to see what conditions yield the highest germination (sprouting) rate. Three different types of seeds can be studied, and the temperature, water and light in the germination chamber can be controlled. No two trials will have the same result so repeated trials are recommended. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric

Temperature and Sex Determination - Metric

Observe the sex ratios of birds and geckos as they hatch in an incubator. Vary the temperature of the incubator and measure the percentages of male and female hatchlings to determine if temperature has an effect on sex. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

3: : Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving to make informed decisions and knows the contributions of relevant scientists.


3.B: : The student is expected to: use models to represent aspects of the natural world such as an atom, a molecule, space, or a geologic feature;

Screenshot of Big Bang Theory - Hubble's Law

Big Bang Theory - Hubble's Law

Follow in the footsteps of Edwin Hubble to discover evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory. First, observe Cepheid variable stars in different galaxies to determine their distances. Then, measure the redshift from these galaxies to determine their recessional velocity. Create a scatterplot of velocity vs. distance and relate this to an expanding universe. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Element Builder

Element Builder

Use protons, neutrons, and electrons to build elements. As the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons changes, information such as the name and symbol of the element, the Z, N, and A numbers, the electron dot diagram, and the group and period from the periodic table are shown. Each element is classified as a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal, and its state at room temperature is also given. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
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4: : Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and safety equipment to conduct science inquiry.


4.A: : The student is expected to: use appropriate tools, including lab journals/notebooks, beakers, meter sticks, graduated cylinders, anemometers, psychrometers, hot plates, test tubes, spring scales, balances, microscopes, thermometers, calculators, computers, spectroscopes, timing devices, and other necessary equipment to collect, record, and analyze information; and

Screenshot of Triple Beam Balance

Triple Beam Balance

Learn how to determine the mass of an object using a triple beam balance. The mass of a variety of objects can be determined using this simulated version of a common real-world laboratory tool for measurement. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

5: : Matter and energy. The student knows that matter is composed of atoms and has chemical and physical properties.


5.A: : The student is expected to: describe the structure of atoms, including the masses, electrical charges, and locations, of protons and neutrons in the nucleus and electrons in the electron cloud;

Screenshot of Element Builder

Element Builder

Use protons, neutrons, and electrons to build elements. As the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons changes, information such as the name and symbol of the element, the Z, N, and A numbers, the electron dot diagram, and the group and period from the periodic table are shown. Each element is classified as a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal, and its state at room temperature is also given. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

5.B: : The student is expected to: identify that protons determine an element's identity and valence electrons determine its chemical properties, including reactivity;

Screenshot of Covalent Bonds

Covalent Bonds

Choose a substance, and then move electrons between atoms to form covalent bonds and build molecules. Observe the orbits of shared electrons in single, double, and triple covalent bonds. Compare the completed molecules to the corresponding Lewis diagrams. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Element Builder

Element Builder

Use protons, neutrons, and electrons to build elements. As the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons changes, information such as the name and symbol of the element, the Z, N, and A numbers, the electron dot diagram, and the group and period from the periodic table are shown. Each element is classified as a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal, and its state at room temperature is also given. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Ionic Bonds

Ionic Bonds

Simulate ionic bonds between a variety of metals and nonmetals. Select a metal and a nonmetal atom, and transfer electrons from one to the other. Observe the effect of gaining and losing electrons on charge, and rearrange the atoms to represent the molecular structure. Additional metal and nonmetal atoms can be added to the screen, and the resulting chemical formula can be displayed. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

5.C: : The student is expected to: interpret the arrangement of the Periodic Table, including groups and periods, to explain how properties are used to classify elements;

Screenshot of Ionic Bonds

Ionic Bonds

Simulate ionic bonds between a variety of metals and nonmetals. Select a metal and a nonmetal atom, and transfer electrons from one to the other. Observe the effect of gaining and losing electrons on charge, and rearrange the atoms to represent the molecular structure. Additional metal and nonmetal atoms can be added to the screen, and the resulting chemical formula can be displayed. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

5.D: : The student is expected to: recognize that chemical formulas are used to identify substances and determine the number of atoms of each element in chemical formulas containing subscripts; and

Screenshot of Chemical Equations

Chemical Equations

Practice balancing chemical equations by changing the coefficients of reactants and products. As the equation is manipulated, the amount of each element is shown as individual atoms, histograms, or numerically. Molar masses of reactants and products can also be calculated and balanced to demonstrate conservation of mass. 5 Minute Preview


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5.E: : The student is expected to: investigate how evidence of chemical reactions indicates that new substances with different properties are formed and how that relates to the law of conservation of mass.

Screenshot of Chemical Changes

Chemical Changes

Chemical changes result in the formation of new substances. But how can you tell if a chemical change has occurred? Explore this question by observing and measuring a variety of chemical reactions. Along the way you will learn about chemical equations, acids and bases, exothermic and endothermic reactions, and conservation of matter. 5 Minute Preview


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6: : Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that there is a relationship between force, motion, and energy.


6.A: : The student is expected to: demonstrate and calculate how unbalanced forces change the speed or direction of an object's motion;

Screenshot of Crumple Zones

Crumple Zones

Design a car to protect a test dummy in a collision. Adjust the length and stiffness of the crumple zone and the rigidity of the safety cell to determine how the car will deform during the crash. Add seat belts and/or airbags to prevent the dummy from hitting the steering wheel. Three different body types (sedan, SUV, and subcompact) are available and a wide range of crash speeds can be used. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Fan Cart Physics

Fan Cart Physics

Gain an understanding of Newton's Laws by experimenting with a cart (on which up to three fans are placed) on a linear track. The cart has a mass, as does each fan. The fans exert a constant force when switched on, and the direction of the fans can be altered as the position, velocity, and acceleration of the cart are measured. 5 Minute Preview


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6.C: : The student is expected to: investigate and describe applications of Newton's three laws of motion such as in vehicle restraints, sports activities, amusement park rides, Earth's tectonic activities, and rocket launches.

Screenshot of Crumple Zones

Crumple Zones

Design a car to protect a test dummy in a collision. Adjust the length and stiffness of the crumple zone and the rigidity of the safety cell to determine how the car will deform during the crash. Add seat belts and/or airbags to prevent the dummy from hitting the steering wheel. Three different body types (sedan, SUV, and subcompact) are available and a wide range of crash speeds can be used. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Fan Cart Physics

Fan Cart Physics

Gain an understanding of Newton's Laws by experimenting with a cart (on which up to three fans are placed) on a linear track. The cart has a mass, as does each fan. The fans exert a constant force when switched on, and the direction of the fans can be altered as the position, velocity, and acceleration of the cart are measured. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

7: : Earth and space. The student knows the effects resulting from cyclical movements of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.


7.A: : The student is expected to: model and illustrate how the tilted Earth rotates on its axis, causing day and night, and revolves around the Sun, causing changes in seasons;

Screenshot of Seasons: Earth, Moon, and Sun

Seasons: Earth, Moon, and Sun

Observe the motions of the Earth, Moon and Sun in three dimensions to explain Sunrise and Sunset, and to see how we define a day, a month, and a year. Compare times of Sunrise and Sunset for different dates and locations. Relate shadows to the position of the Sun in the sky, and relate shadows to compass directions. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
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Screenshot of Seasons: Why do we have them?

Seasons: Why do we have them?

Learn why the temperature in the summertime is higher than it is in the winter by studying the amount of light striking the Earth. Experiment with a plate detector to measure the amount of light striking the plate as the angle of the plate is adjusted (and then use a group of plates placed at different locations on the Earth) and measure the incoming radiation on each plate. 5 Minute Preview


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7.B: : The student is expected to: demonstrate and predict the sequence of events in the lunar cycle; and

Screenshot of Moonrise, Moonset, and Phases

Moonrise, Moonset, and Phases

Gain an understanding of moonrise and moonset times by observing the relative positions of Earth and the Moon along with a view of the Moon from Earth. A line shows the horizon for a person standing on Earth so that moonrise and moonset times can be determined. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Phases of the Moon

Phases of the Moon

Understand the phases of the Moon by observing the positions of the Moon, Earth and Sun. A view of the Moon from Earth is shown on the right as the Moon orbits Earth. Learn the names of Moon phases and in what order they occur. Click Play to watch the Moon go around, or click Pause and drag the Moon yourself. 5 Minute Preview


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7.C: : The student is expected to: relate the positions of the Moon and Sun to their effect on ocean tides.

Screenshot of Tides - Metric

Tides - Metric

Gain an understanding of high, low, spring, and neap tides on Earth by observing the tidal heights and the position of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Tidal bulges can be observed from space, and water depths can be recorded from a dock by the ocean. 5 Minute Preview


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8: : Earth and space. The student knows characteristics of the universe.


8.A: : The student is expected to: describe components of the universe, including stars, nebulae, and galaxies, and use models such as the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for classification;

Screenshot of H-R Diagram

H-R Diagram

A collection of stars visible from Earth can be arranged and classified based on their color, temperature, luminosity, radius, and mass. This can be done using one or two-dimensional plots, including a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram of luminosity vs. temperature. 5 Minute Preview


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8.D: : The student is expected to: research how scientific data are used as evidence to develop scientific theories to describe the origin of the universe.

Screenshot of Big Bang Theory - Hubble's Law

Big Bang Theory - Hubble's Law

Follow in the footsteps of Edwin Hubble to discover evidence supporting the Big Bang Theory. First, observe Cepheid variable stars in different galaxies to determine their distances. Then, measure the redshift from these galaxies to determine their recessional velocity. Create a scatterplot of velocity vs. distance and relate this to an expanding universe. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

9: : Earth and space. The student knows that natural events can impact Earth systems.


9.A: : The student is expected to: describe the historical development of evidence that supports plate tectonic theory;

Screenshot of Building Pangaea

Building Pangaea

In 1915, Alfred Wegener proposed that all of Earth's continents were once joined in an ancient supercontinent he called Pangaea. Wegener's idea of moving continents led to the modern theory of plate tectonics. Create your own version of Pangaea by fitting Earth's landmasses together like puzzle pieces. Use evidence from fossils, rocks, and glaciers to refine your map. 5 Minute Preview


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9.B: : The student is expected to: relate plate tectonics to the formation of crustal features; and

Screenshot of Plate Tectonics

Plate Tectonics

Move the Earth's crust at various locations to observe the effects of the motion of the tectonic plates, including volcanic eruptions. Information about each of the major types of plate boundaries is shown, along with their locations on Earth. 5 Minute Preview


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9.C: : The student is expected to: interpret topographic maps and satellite views to identify land and erosional features and predict how these features may be reshaped by weathering.

Screenshot of Building Topographic Maps

Building Topographic Maps

Build a topographic map by flooding a three dimensional landscape with water and drawing contour lines. Draw a profile of a landscape based on the topographic map. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Reading Topographic Maps

Reading Topographic Maps

Understand how topographic maps work by creating a three-dimensional landscape and observing the corresponding contour lines. See how mountains, depressions, valleys and cliffs are represented on topographic maps. Fill in the landscape with water to demonstrate that contours are lines of constant elevation. 5 Minute Preview


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10: : Earth and space. The student knows that climatic interactions exist among Earth, ocean, and weather systems.


10.B: : The student is expected to: identify how global patterns of atmospheric movement influence local weather using weather maps that show high and low pressures and fronts; and

Screenshot of Weather Maps - Metric

Weather Maps - Metric

Learn about standard symbols used in meteorology to construct weather maps. Rain, sleet, snow, temperature, cloud cover, wind speed and direction, and atmospheric pressure can all be recorded at two different weather stations on a map. Describe weather patterns characteristic of high-pressure systems, low-pressure systems, warm fronts, and cold fronts. 5 Minute Preview


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11: : Organisms and environments. The student knows that interdependence occurs among living systems and the environment and that human activities can affect these systems.


11.A: : The student is expected to: investigate how organisms and populations in an ecosystem depend on and may compete for biotic factors such as food and abiotic factors such as quantity of light, water, range of temperatures, or soil composition;

Screenshot of Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors

Explore the abiotic factors that affect Caribbean coral reefs. Many factors can be manipulated in this simplified reef model, including ocean temperature and pH, storm severity, and input of excess sediments and nutrients from logging, sewage, and agriculture. Click "Advance year" to see how the reef responds to these changes. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors

Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors

In this followup to the Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors activity, investigate the impacts of fishing, disease, and invasive species on a model Caribbean coral reef. Many variables can be manipulated, included intensity of fishing, presence of black band and white band disease, and the presence of actual and potential invasive species. Click "Advance year" to see the impacts of these biotic changes. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo
Screenshot of Food Chain

Food Chain

In this ecosystem consisting of hawks, snakes, rabbits and grass, the population of each species can be studied as part of a food chain. Disease can be introduced for any species, and the number of animals can be increased or decreased at any time, just like in the real world. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Pond Ecosystem

Pond Ecosystem

Measure the temperature and oxygen content of a pond over the course of a day. Then go fishing to see what types of fish live in the pond. Many different ponds can be investigated to determine the influence of time, temperature, and farms on oxygen levels. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Rabbit Population by Season

Rabbit Population by Season

Observe the population of rabbits in an environment over many years. The land available to the rabbits and weather conditions can be adjusted to investigate the effects of urban sprawl and unusual weather on wildlife populations. 5 Minute Preview


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11.B: : The student is expected to: explore how short- and long-term environmental changes affect organisms and traits in subsequent populations; and

Screenshot of Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors

Explore the abiotic factors that affect Caribbean coral reefs. Many factors can be manipulated in this simplified reef model, including ocean temperature and pH, storm severity, and input of excess sediments and nutrients from logging, sewage, and agriculture. Click "Advance year" to see how the reef responds to these changes. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
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Screenshot of Natural Selection

Natural Selection

You are a bird hunting moths (both dark and light) that live on trees. As you capture the moths most easily visible against the tree surface, the moth populations change, illustrating the effects of natural selection. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Rainfall and Bird Beaks - Metric

Rainfall and Bird Beaks - Metric

Study the thickness of birds' beaks over a five year period as you control the yearly rainfall on an isolated island. As the environmental conditions change, the species must adapt (a real-world consequence) to avoid extinction. 5 Minute Preview


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Correlation last revised: 9/16/2020

About STEM Cases

Students assume the role of a scientist trying to solve a real world problem. They use scientific practices to collect and analyze data, and form and test a hypothesis as they solve the problems.

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© 2025 ExploreLearning. All rights reserved. Gizmo and Gizmos are registered trademarks of ExploreLearning. STEM Cases, Handbooks and the associated Realtime Reporting System are protected by US Patent No. 10,410,534

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