Lesson 1

Simulations

In this lesson, students define simulations as models used to observe phenomena without them actually taking place. They are then introduced to the Code Editor and the Scratch programming language as their tools to create a simulation of their own. Finally, to set the stage for their simulations, students examine the interdependent relationships among the organisms of an ecosystem.

school
Grade 7
local_library
Subject Science
schedule
Length of lesson 50 minutes

Learning objective

Students will explain what makes a simulation a helpful model for observing phenomena.

Standards

CSTA Standards

  • 2-AP-13: Decompose problems and subproblems into parts to facilitate the design, implementation, and review of programs

NGSS Standards

  • MS-LS2-2: Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.