REQUESTED BY: Soren Bowman, 8th Grade Science Teacher, Dickson Prep

BENEFITS: 200 8th Grade students and more

BACKGROUND:

This project will engage students in a hands-on, inquiry-based investigation of food webs, predation, and ecological relationships through the dissection of owl pellets. During the week preceding the activity, students will be introduced to key concepts related to ecosystems and predator-prey interactions. Two days prior to the dissection, students will receive lab safety instruction and review background information on owl pellets, including how they are formed and what they can reveal about an ecosystem.

Instructional Plan:
Students will spend one class period dissecting owl pellets and recording their findings using structured data sheets. On the following day, students will apply their observations to construct a food web that reflects the ecological relationships evidenced in their dissections.

Educational Objectives:
The primary objectives of this project are for students to:

• Develop an understanding of predator-prey relationships.

• Analyze physical evidence of predation.

• Apply ecological concepts to construct models of food webs.

Assessment Methods:
Student learning will be evaluated through:

1. Lab observations and data sheets documenting prey types and recorded findings.

2. A food web modeling activity illustrating how owls fit into a larger ecosystem.

3. Post-project reflection questions assessing comprehension and the ability to connect observations to ecological concepts.

ITEMS REQUESTED: Owl pellets, poly food service gloves, 24 pack of magnifying glasses and Medi-first disposable plastic tweezers.

TOTAL REQUESTED: $875.00