Population Dynamics

Secondary

Description

This classroom resource examines population growth patterns, human demographics and the concept of carrying capacity.  Through a series of lessons and activities students explore the past, present and future impacts of human population growth.  Students will:

·          calculate the rate of natural increase and doubling times for several countries as well as the time it has taken for the world to replace people lost in historic disasters.

·          observe the exponential growth of yeast cultures through experimentation and graph the growth  in order to draw parallels between yeast growth and human population growth.

·         construct and interpret population pyramids (age-sex histograms) and discuss differences in population growth rates among several countries.

Population Dynamics is one of 16 units in the Earth Matters program available in DVD format.  Each unit features a background reading, case study, several student activities, a glossary, as well as suggestions for further exploration. Since each unit outline includes links to lessons and activities found in the other units, this resource provides numerous ways to create thematic lesson plans that address sustainable development.

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