The Rusty Patched Bumblebee
Unit Overview

Unit Questions:

  • What has caused the decline of the Rusty Patched Bumblebee population?

  • Why is this decline important?

  • What can we do to help?

Lesson 1

Students are introduced to the Rusty Patched Bumblebee and learn of its decline in population.

  • Students view “Forgotten But Not Gone: The Rusty Patched Bumblebee”

  • Students view locations of recently observed RPB from Bumblebee Watch

  • Students identify questions that will help them understand the decline of the RPB population and design solutions to the problem. These are organized on a Driving Question Board to be answered in subsequent lessons

  • Students make a model of the RPB system based on the components they were introduced to through the video and Bumblebee Watch. This model will be built upon in subsequent lessons.

  • Students share ideas for possible causes for the decline in the RPB population using their models.


    Lesson 2

Students learn more about the RPB ecosystem to make a more evidence-based predictions for why RPB population has declined.

  • Students read an article about the survival needs of the RPB

  • Students use this new information to add more details to their model of the RPB ecosystem.

  • Students brainstorm possible causes and use their models to explain how these causes resulted in the decline of the RPB population.

    Lesson 3

Students analyze data for changes in the RPB ecosystem to determine causes for the decline in the population.

  • Students analyze climate, land use, and pesticide data to identify changes and patterns in the RPB ecosystem.

  • Students use their models to explain how these patterns could cause the decline of the RPB population.

    Lesson 4

Students use their models to answer the question, “Why is the decline of the RPB population important?”

  • Students begin constructing blog posts to explain the decline of the RPB population and predict the effects of the extinction of this species.

    Lesson 5

Students develop individual and community solutions to the problem of the decline of the RPB population.

  • Students identify criteria and constraints for solutions to the problem of the decline of the RPB population.

    • Individual solutions include actions taken to reduce carbon emissions and therefore global warming or consumer choices to avoid products that use pesticides.

    • Community based solutions include creating or restoring habitats that support the RPB.

 
 

  • Students discuss with a parent or guardian the answers to the questions, “What has caused the decline of the Rusty Patched Bumblebee population? Why is this decline important? What can we do to help?”

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