Integrating the Nature of Science into Interdependent Relationships and Ecosystems

Abstract

Throughout the lesson, we emphasized the students acting as scientists; however, our main focus was on how and why scientists use models. This aligns with the Next Generation Science Standard science and engineering practice Developing and Using Models, as the "organisms" served as models of live animals. Thus, we infused NOS by discussing that scientists collect empirical data by making observations and inferences and use models to represent natural phenomena.