Implement this lesson:
Use this lesson when discussing ecosystems, habitats, or other environmental TEKs. This lesson can be used as part of a larger local theme i.e. Oceans Week. The duration of this lesson can vary based on student and teacher needs. In this version ecosystems are combined biotic and abiotic factors. This can be divided into two lessons depending on needs.
Learning Objective:
The student will be able to create a Gulf Coast ecosystem with biotic and abiotic factors using a makerspace.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
Science TEKS
3.1(A): Ask questions about organisms, objects, and events in the environment.
3.10(A): Collect information from observations using simple equipment.
3.9(A): Explore how adaptations enable organisms to survive in their environment.
3.15(A): Organize information to create a visual display or map.
3.7(B): Communicate and justify a solution.
3.11(B): Identify and discuss how different forms of energy can be used.
3.14(A): Identify the importance of conservation.
3.8(A): Collect and record data.
4.11(A) Identify and explain advantages and disadvantages of using Earth’s renewable and nonrenewable natural resources such as wind, water, sunlight, plants, animals, coal, oil, and natural gas
4.11(B) explain the critical role of energy resources to modern life and how conservation, disposal, and recycling of natural resources impact the environment
4.11(C) determine the physical properties of rocks that allow Earth’s natural resources to be stored there
4.12(A) investigate and explain how most producers can make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide through the cycling of matter
4.12(B)* describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy through food webs, including the roles of the Sun, producers, consumers, and decomposers
4.12(C) identify and describe past environments based on fossil evidence, including common Texas fossils
4.13(A) explore and explain how structures and functions of plants such as waxy leaves and deep roots enable them to survive in their environment
4.13(B) differentiate between inherited and acquired physical traits of organisms
5.10(A) explain how the Sun and the ocean interact in the water cycle and affect weather
5.10(B) model and describe the processes that led to the formation of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels
5.10(C) model and identify how changes to Earth’s surface by wind, water, or ice result in the formation of landforms, including deltas, canyons, and sand dunes
5.11(A) design and explain solutions such as conservation, recycling, or proper disposal to minimize environmental impact of the use of natural resources
5.12(A) observe and describe how a variety of organisms survive by interacting with biotic and abiotic factors in a healthy ecosystem
5.12(B) predict how changes in the ecosystem affect the cycling of matter and flow of energy in a food web
5.12(C) describe a healthy ecosystem and how human activities can be beneficial or harmful to an ecosystem
5.13(A) analyze the structures and functions of different species to identify how organisms survive in the same environment
5.13(B) explain how instinctual behavioral traits such as turtle hatchlings returning to the sea and learned behavioral traits such as orcas hunting in packs increase chances of survival
Bays of the Texas Gulf Coast
A bay is a wide, curved part of the ocean where the water comes into the land. Bays are calm compared to the open sea, and they are super important homes for fish, crabs, dolphins, and birds.
Main Bays in Texas
There are many different bays and estuaries along the Texas Gulf Coast such as Copano Bay, Nueces Bay, Mesquite Bay, etc. Below are the some of the main ones and important facts about them.
Why Bays Matter
- Bays are like nurseries for the ocean — many baby fish, shrimp, and crabs grow up here before moving into the Gulf.
- They protect the coastline from storms and give people food like seafood.
- Bays are also great places to go fishing, boating, and birdwatching.
Galveston Bay
- Near Houston, it’s the largest bay in Texas.
- Full of shrimp, oysters, fish, and dolphins.
- A busy place for people too, with ships and fishing boats.
Matagorda Bay
- Known for its oysters and crabs.
- Lots of wetlands nearby where birds like to stop and rest.
San Antonio Bay
- A quieter bay with marshes and seagrass meadows.
- Home to the Whooping Crane, a rare and endangered bird.
Aransas Bay
- Close to Rockport.
- Famous for fishing and for being near the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
- Many birders travel to see the whooping cranes every winter.
Corpus Christi Bay
- Right next to the city of Corpus Christi.
- A mix of nature and people — ships, fishing, and lots of wildlife.
- Dolphins are often seen here!
Laguna Madre
- A very long, skinny bay separated from the Gulf by Padre Island.
- One of only a seven hypersaline lagoons in the world (saltier than the ocean!).
- Great spot for sea turtles, birds, and redfish.
- Divided between the Upper Laguna Madre, near Corpus Christi, and the Lower Laguna Madre, near South Padre
Ecosystems of the Gulf Coast
Mud flats:
A community of worms, clams, crabs, and shrimp live in the smelly black mud of mud flats. **Suggested focus species: clams, crabs, shrimp
Sea grass beds
Large beds of sea grasses, such as turtle grass, widgeon grass, shoal grass, and manatee grass, grow in the calm shallows of coastal bays. **Suggested focus species: turtle grass, widgeon grass, shoal grass, manatee grass.
Oyster reefs
**Suggested focus species: oysters, oyster toad fish, orange boring sponge
Salt grass marshes
Salt grass marshes surround bays and estuaries.
Barrier islands
Long sandy islands that separate the bays from the Gulf and protect them from the most severe effects of waves and currents.
Possible Books:
- Willy Explores the Wonders of the Gulf Coast by Jared Knetzer
- The Gulf by Adam de Souza
- Saving American Beach by MaVynee Betsch
- Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Materials Needed:
- Makerspace materials: playdoh, toothpicks, cardboard, etc
- Ability for students to make labels
Lesson Plan:
Engage:
- Show videos on Gulf Coast such as link 1, link 2, link 3
- Point out the different bays on a map and show pictures of the different bays.
- Look at different photos of animals found in different bays such as redfish, trout, whooping cranes, oysters, etc.
Explore:
- Students research using maps, books, photos, and teacher guidance about bays in the Gulf Coast.
- The teacher will monitor closely to ensure on task behavior.
Explain:
- The teacher will explain the different between biotic and abiotic to students
- If possible create a T-chart of things found within a bay that are biotic and abiotic
Elaborate:
- Using a makerspace the students will create a bay system with biotic and abiotic factors.
Evaluate:
- Students explain their project to the class.