Nebraska State Science Standards
SC.7.7 Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
SC.7.7.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of interdependent relationships in ecosystems.
SC.7.7.3.A Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
SC.7.7.3.B Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
SC.7.7.3.C Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
SC.7.7.3.D Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and increasing positive human impact on the environment.
SC.7.8 Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems
SC.7.8.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the flow of energy and cycling of matter in organisms and ecosystems.
SC.7.8.4.A Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
SC.7.8.4.B Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as matter moves through an organism.
SC.7.8.4.C Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
SC.7.8.4.D Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
SC.7.8.4.E Construct an argument supported by evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.