More About This Resource...

• In this Biodiversity Counts activity, students learn how scientists calculate a biodiversity index using a page from the phone book as their data source. The printable five-page PDF handout includes:

  • a series of inquiry-based questions to get students thinking about what they already know about biodiversity and how living and non-living things are connected,
  • step-by-step directions for calculating a biodiversity index, and
  • a worksheet that includes brainstorming questions and areas for recording answers.

• Completion Time

  Approximately 1 period

• Topic

  Biology

• Subtopic

  Tools and Methods

• Subtopic

  National Science Education Standards
  Grades 5-8:
  Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

  • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

  Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

  • populations and ecosystems

  Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

  • abilities of technological design• understandings about science and technology

  Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F: 

  • populations, resources, and environments

  History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

  • science as a human endeavor• nature of science

  Grades 9-12:
  Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

  • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

  Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

  • matter, energy, and organization in living systems

  Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

  • abilities of technological design• understandings about science and technology

  Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F: 

  • population growth• environmental quality

  History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

  • science as a human endeavor• nature of scientific knowledge

• Learning Standard

  National Science Education Standards
  Grades 5-8:
  Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

  • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

  Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

  • populations and ecosystems

  Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

  • abilities of technological design• understandings about science and technology

  Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F: 

  • populations, resources, and environments

  History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

  • science as a human endeavor• nature of science

  Grades 9-12:
  Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A: 

  • abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

  Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

  • matter, energy, and organization in living systems

  Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

  • abilities of technological design• understandings about science and technology

  Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F: 

  • population growth• environmental quality

  History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

  • science as a human endeavor• nature of scientific knowledge