Title: Beowulf and the Bog
Description: This is a transdisciplinary unit that incorporates the ancient English literature poem, Beowulf, with community ecology and the concepts of primary hydrarch succession. Students in a literature class study the literary aspects of Beowulf while students in biology study succession and ecology. The two classes are joined for a trip to a wetland system known as a bog which was the probable setting for the Old English poem. This unit was developed in conjunction with an English Literature instructor named Richard J. McNally.
Standard(s):
[S1] BIO (9-12) 14: Trace biogeochemical cycles through the environment, including water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Title: A Disaster in the Making
Description: This is a writing assignment for students to compare the effects of natural disasters. Questions are included as well as a video clip. An internet connection is required.
Standard(s):
[S1] (6) 2: Describe factors that cause changes to Earth’s surface over time.
[S1] BIO (9-12) 14: Trace biogeochemical cycles through the environment, including water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Title: Design an Ecosystem
Description: In this simulation activity, students create a simple, imaginary ecosystem. They describe the interrelations between the species inhabiting the ecosystem and their physical environment. Then, they imagine an alteration in their environment and project the impact that such a change would have on the organisms living in their ecosystem. Finally, they write an environmental impact statement suggesting ways to mitigate the effects of the change.
Standard(s):
[S1] BIO (9-12) 13: Trace the flow of energy as it decreases through the trophic levels from producers to the quaternary level in food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids.
[S1] BIO (9-12) 14: Trace biogeochemical cycles through the environment, including water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Title: The Water Cycle
Description: USGS Water Science page with links to information about the water cycle. Follow a drop of water through the water cycle. Print a place mat showing the water cycle. The site also includes the various changes in states of water.
Standard(s):
[S1] BIO (9-12) 14: Trace biogeochemical cycles through the environment, including water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Title: Weeds Gone Wild: Non-native Species or Alien Plant Invaders
Description: This site provides a compiled national list of invasive plants infesting natural areas throughout the U.S., background information on the problem of invasive species, illustrated fact sheets that include plant descriptions, native range, distribution and habitat in the U.S., management options, suggested alternative native plants, and other information, and selected links to relevant people and organizations.
Standard(s):
[S1] BIO (9-12) 14: Trace biogeochemical cycles through the environment, including water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Title: Design an Ecosystem
Description: In this simulation activity, students create a simple, imaginary ecosystem. They describe the interrelations between the species inhabiting the ecosystem and their physical environment. Then, they imagine an alteration in their environment and project the impact that such a change would have on the organisms living in their ecosystem. Finally, they write an environmental impact statement suggesting ways to mitigate the effects of the change.
Standard(s):
[S1] BIO (9-12) 13: Trace the flow of energy as it decreases through the trophic levels from producers to the quaternary level in food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids.
[S1] BIO (9-12) 14: Trace biogeochemical cycles through the environment, including water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen.