Syris Learning Modules 2001-2002: The Science of Survival

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2000-2001

2001-2002
* The Power of the Exponent
* A Treasure Lost
* Breathless
* Evolution: The Only Constant is Change
* Enzyme Activity and Computer Modeling
* Earth Fissures
* Aerobic Metabolism
* The Science of Survival
* Tailpipe Emissions

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2001-2002 SyRIS Science Module Collection

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Module Title:

The Science of Survival and Adaptation

Faculty Team Members (Discipline):

Patricia Ashby (Biology), Steve Borick (Chemistry), Patricia Dueck (Mathematics), Paul Haugen (Physics), and Suzanne Kelly (Biology)

College:

Scottsdale Community College

Student Group Targeted:

Non-science/math majors and allied health students; in addition, some concepts may be presented in more advanced science classes

How Will the SyRIS Goals Be Met?

Interdisciplinary Component: The science of survival is one that embraces all areas of physical and life science. Of particular importance is an organism's adaptation to climate, especially to temperature and to water resources. By addressing such topics as cooling rate versus surface area, water management by plants and insects, and metabolism rates, students begin to understand the factors that allow organisms to thrive in various climates. Each of the module activities includes a connection to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Active Learning Strategies:Students prepare for classroom discussion by completing Internet-based assignments prior to the module presentation. In the classroom, students have hands-on time to become familiar with some of the techniques they will use in the laboratory. The most active part of the module is the laboratory. Working in small groups, students formulate a hypothesis and design their own experiments to test this hypothesis. The laboratory project extends over a several week period, with students taking a small amount of time in each lab period to monitor their experiment. A poster presentation concludes the experiment. We "rediscover" their natural curiosity as they observe and experience how the adaptive behavior of living organisms relates to scientific principles that cross all disciplines.

Module Overview:

Background: Many students have an intuitive understanding of temperature and heat transfer, but often miss the extension of these concepts to biological systems. By actively studying the principles of heat transfer, observing the mathematical relationships between size and cooling rate, and investigating the chemical composition of surface layers exposed to temperature fluctuations, students can appreciate the remarkable adaptations of living organisms, particularly those in a desert ecosystem. In addition to the emphasis on temperature, the module also addresses how size, metabolism, and surface properties influence an organism's water management.

Intended Use:The module includes instructional elements that can be used in four different disciplines. The core concepts related to the principles of heat transfer and water management are:

The relationship between biological anatomy and physiology.
Surface to volume ratios.
Modeling changes in experiments.
The chemistry and role of surface layers.

Potential Significance: The module gives students new understanding of heat transfer processes and a heightened awareness of the need for fresh water in the desert. Students will never again look at a plant or insect without wondering how its leaf structure or body coating helps to ensure its survival in times of drought and flood. Students also gain a better understanding of important environmental, societal, and health issues. Such issues include global warming, water allocation, energy efficient construction materials, and hydration while exercising.

Module Objectives

Biology -- Students will be able to:

Explain the relationship between an organism's size and volume.
Explain how physiology is related to anatomical structure and design.
Describe some adaptations that allow for survival in desert ecosystems.

Chemistry -- Students will be able to:

Explain the role of hydrocarbons as insulating materials.
Explain the effects of temperature on the rate of plant and animal metabolism.

Mathematics -- Students will be able to:

Use various methods to calculate the volume and surface area of objects of odd size and shape.
Calculate surface to volume ratios and explain how they are related.

Physics -- Students will be able to:

Use models to calculate thermal characteristics of radiating bodies.

Interdisciplinary -- Students will be able to:

Identify and apply the components of the scientific method.
Distinguish between conduction, convection, and radiation.
Distinguish between heat effects and temperature.
Identify variables related to energy gain and loss through heat effects.
Apply laboratory techniques (e.g. chromatography, temperature measurement with thermocouples) that provide quantitative experimental data.
Create plots of data and build mathematical models describing the behavior of the data.
Use a mathematical model to make predictions if parameters are changed.

Module Materials:

see full record from Maricopa Learning eXchange (MLX)

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This project is supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation
www.nsf.org