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Through the application of math concepts students examine the degree of biodiversity that exists in the everyday environment in order to develop an understanding of how scientists classify organisms. They also explore why biodiversity is important for living things.

Students will examine data about garbage production and graphically represent it in a scatter plot. Students will use the data to make predictions of future trends. They will also develop an understanding of the environmental impact of trash accumulation and the need for a plan to deal with potential garbage problems. The activity is written for use with a graphing calculator.

Students will use derivatives and integrals to determine the best time for a farmer to plant hay. They will solve this problem by examining the course of the sun, utilizing concepts of equinoxes and global positioning.

Students examine the historical natural selection model of moths by analyzing patterns in long-term data of light and dark colored moth populations. Using a graphing calculator students create graphs of the data and draw conclusions about the environment that created the results. Additional questions to explore how humans affect natural selection are included.

Students will use real data from morning rush hour on Chicago expressways to examine piece-wise regression. To make the scenario more interesting and relevant, students will discuss the problems caused by excessive traffic. The activity is written for use with a graphing calculator.

Fractals are found extensively in nature, from tiny snowflakes to towering mountains. Because of this, fractal geometry has many practical applications. Geologists can model the meandering paths of rivers. Botanists can model the branching patterns of trees. In this activity, students will investigate fractals, learn how fractals can be used to determine the length of a coastline and explore the expression of mathematical principles in art.

This free, multi-disciplinary, hands-on curriculum from The Keystone Center encompasses many subject areas including biology, earth science, chemistry, physics and ecology as well as language arts, math and social studies.

Using raw data from the USGS, students will learn how scientists properly collect, analyze, and interpret findings using datasets Microsoft Excel. The curriculum also introduces students to themes of ecotoxicology and Bald Eagle populations from 1969-2000.

Teachers can use this lesson to help students understand the rate of change within biodiversity, climate, geography, agriculture, etc.

Plant growth rates are influenced by many factors including rainfall, climate, soil nutrients, and others. In this activity, students will develop a mathematical model for a growing plant.

This activity is correlated to National Mathematics content standards.