Lesson 2: Population Dynamics and Growth Models
Duration of Days: 4
Lesson Objective
Students will analyzing Exponential vs. Logistic growth and the concept of carrying capacity and factors that contribute to carrying capacity.
What factors drive, limit, and regulate the size and structure of populations over time, and how do these changes impact the surrounding environment and resource sustainability?
HS-LS2-1: Use mathematical representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity.
SAT-style questions requiring students to interpret a graph of population growth over time and identify where the rate of change becomes zero.
Students explore how populations grow and the factors that limit them. This includes calculating population changes and understanding carrying capacity (K).
(DOK 3)
See "Materials / Resources / Text / Speakers" field
Data analysis of a boom and bust population cycle. Students must graph raw data, identify the point where environmental resistance occurs, and predict the carrying capacity based on the plateau.