An Interactive Food Web Game for the Classroom

An Interactive Food Web Game for the Classroom AÂ  food web diagram illustrates links among species in an ecosystem according to who eats what and shows how species depend on one another for survival. When studying an endangered species, scientists must learn about more than just one rare animal. They have to consider the animals entire food web in order to help protect it from the threat of extinction. In this classroom challenge, student scientists work together to simulate an endangered food web. By assuming the roles of linked organisms in an ecosystem, kids will actively observe interdependence and explore the repercussions of breaking vital links. Difficulty: Average Time Required: 45 minutes (one class period) Here's How Write the names of organisms from a food web diagram on note cards. If there are more students in the class than species, duplicate lower level species (there are generally more plants, insects, fungi, bacteria, and small animals in an ecosystem than large animals). Endangered species are assigned only one card each.Each student draws one organism card. Students announce their organisms to the class and discuss the roles they play within the ecosystem.One student with an endangered species card holds a ball of yarn. Using the food web diagram as a guide, this student will hold the end of the yarn and toss the ball to a classmate, explaining how the two organisms interact.The recipient of the ball will keep hold of the yarn strand and toss the ball to another student, explaining their connection. The yarn toss will continue until every student in the circle is holding at least one strand of yarn.When all organisms are connected, observe the complex web that has been formed by the yarn . Are there even more connections than students expected? Single out the endangered species (or the most critically endangered if there are more than one), and cut the yarn strand(s) that are being held by that student. This represents extinction. The species has been removed from the ecosystem forever.Discuss how the web collapses when the yarn is cut, and identify which species appear to be most affected. Speculate about what might happen to other species in the web when one organism goes extinct. For example, if the extinct animal was a predator, its prey may become overpopulated and deplete other organisms in the web. If the extinct animal was a prey species, then predators that relied on it for food may also go extinct. Tips Grade Level: 4 to 6 (ages 9 to 12)Examples of endangered species food webs: Sea Otter, Polar Bear, Pacific Salmon, Hawaiian Birds, and Atlantic Spotted DolphinBe ready to look up different species on the internet or in textbooks to answer questions about an organisms role in the ecosystem.Offer a large-sized food web diagram that all students can see (such as an overhead projector image), or pass out one food web diagram to each student for reference during the challenge. What You Need Food web diagram for an endangered species (See examples in Tips section.)Index cardsMarker or penBall of yarnScissors

5 Signs You May Be the Right Person for the Job

5 Signs You May Be the Right Person for the Job Jobs are anything but one size fits all. In fact, another candidate’s â€Å"perfect† position may be your employment nightmare. So how do you know which job promises success and fulfillment and which job harbors only frustration and failure? The short answer? You don’t. But there are some signs to look for throughout the process which can indicate that you’re indeed the right person for the job. Let’s count them down. 1. You’re Charged Up By the Thought of the JobAre you thrilled by the mere thought of the roles and responsibilities involved with a particular job or specific company? Would you wake up every morning looking forward to getting to work and making a contribution? If so, this is a strong indication that the job may be a terrific fit.If, however, you feel more excited about getting any job than about the specifics of the job at hand, this should trigger an alarm.2. You’ll Be Crushed If You Don’t Get ItNo one likes to be rejected. But if the thought of being rejected from a particular job is especially crushing, this may indicate that the job offers a unique opportunity. After all, there are hundreds of thousands of different jobs available at any given moment. If your heart is set on this one above everything else in the job classifieds section, you’re probably the right person for the job.3. It’s In Line With Your Career GoalsHave you always dreamed of working in a specific industry or of being responsible for a certain set of core job functions? If a job offers the opportunity to realize your goals and ambitions, it’s a natural leap to the conclusion that it’s not only the right job for you, but an unprecedented opportunity.Alternatively, if a job feels like a detour from your career path or a step in an uncertain direction, it merits more consideration: can it ultimately help you reach your career goals?4. You’re a Good Culture FitToday’s employers ar e increasingly prioritizing cultural fit - as opposed to mere functional fit - as an important part of the hiring process. This consideration should go both ways. If your beliefs and core values are aligned with a prospective company’s views on everything from collaboration to work/life balance to giving back to the community, this bodes well for your level of satisfaction, productivity, and staying power.5. There’s Plenty of Room for GrowthA job that’s a good fit for you at this particular moment in time may not be a good fit for you five years from now. The â€Å"right† job is not just one that makes sense in the here and now, but is also one with plenty of room for growth.The potential for advancement can also help keep you motivated, inspired and engaged on the job - critical attributes when it comes to professional fulfillment.Ultimately, it’s impossible to know with absolute certainty whether a job is the right one for you. However, these five tips can help you make the most informed and beneficial decision.