Abiotic vs Biotic

Summary

In this activity students will distinguish between abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem. They will demonstrate this by identifying and classifying various biotic and abtiotic objects.

Materials

• student sheet (attached)
• 10 black garbage bags and rubber bands or boxes with holes for hands to reach through
• Collect random biotic and abiotic objects to place in the boxes. Possibilities include: live insects (worms or grasshoppers), yeast culture, walnuts or other nut (in the shell if possible)
• dry ice
• heat lamp
• leaf
• soil
• water
• salt
• piece of wood
• small battery powered fan
• flashlight
• (you may need additional supplies depending on your set up, e.g. a pan for water, towels to cover dry ice etc)

Background for Teachers

Experimental Design:

Notes to Teacher:
This lab requires a significant amount of set up. You may want to have a teacher's aide help you prepare the boxes several days before you plan on doing the lab. Be sure if you are using dry ice you cover it so students are not harmed.

Student Prior Knowledge

Students need no prior knowledge. They may come with an incomplete understanding of abiotic factors. Many times they just think dead and do not connect things like temp and elevation.

Instructional Procedures

1. Gather needed supplies. Use the supplies listed or come up with your own creative ideas.
2. Prepare the containers for your objects, as shown in the experimental design
3. Place objects inside the containers.
4. Label the containers 1-10 and place them around your classroom.
5. Have students visit each station around the classroom.
   1. At each station they should make 2 observations.
   2. They may do this assignment in groups or individually
   3. Assign groups different boxes, they must tell the class what they think is in the box and how it should be classified
   4. Other groups can present any disagreements
   5. Uncover boxes
   6. Write terms abiotic and biotic
   7. Discuss what questions are best to ask when determining
   8. Show the class a seed or a cyst
   9. Introduce dormancy
   10. Quiz on several objects.

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.