Description
From Sun to Sandwich: Modeling Energy Flow in Living Systems
NGSS-Aligned | LS2 | Cause and Effect | Digital Modeling
What happens inside a living system between sunlight and the lunch we eat? In this interactive simulation, students build and test a system model that tracks how energy flows through plants, animals, and cells—revealing invisible biological processes beneath everyday life.
Instead of memorizing parts of a food web, students investigate cause and effect within a living system. They make changes to variables like light or nutrient availability and observe how those changes ripple through the system. As they simulate and refine their models, students engage in key biotech skills: adding components, connecting relationships, systems thinking, dynamic modeling, and simulation.
What’s Included:
- Access link and usage terms for ModelIt! platform simulation
- Teacher guide with lesson flow, tips, and discussion prompts
- Student-facing digital modeling simulation (browser-based, no download needed)
- Student Activity Pack - Quiz, rubrics, recording page, and STEM Challenge
- Video Teacher Walkthrough of Lesson
This NGSS-aligned lesson targets Grade 5 - LS2 and was designed to drop easily into any middle or high school ecosystem or energy flow unit. No prep required. Just launch and explore.
Highlights
Description
From Sun to Sandwich: Modeling Energy Flow in Living Systems
NGSS-Aligned | LS2 | Cause and Effect | Digital Modeling
What happens inside a living system between sunlight and the lunch we eat? In this interactive simulation, students build and test a system model that tracks how energy flows through plants, animals, and cells—revealing invisible biological processes beneath everyday life.
Instead of memorizing parts of a food web, students investigate cause and effect within a living system. They make changes to variables like light or nutrient availability and observe how those changes ripple through the system. As they simulate and refine their models, students engage in key biotech skills: adding components, connecting relationships, systems thinking, dynamic modeling, and simulation.
What’s Included:
- Access link and usage terms for ModelIt! platform simulation
- Teacher guide with lesson flow, tips, and discussion prompts
- Student-facing digital modeling simulation (browser-based, no download needed)
- Student Activity Pack - Quiz, rubrics, recording page, and STEM Challenge
- Video Teacher Walkthrough of Lesson
This NGSS-aligned lesson targets Grade 5 - LS2 and was designed to drop easily into any middle or high school ecosystem or energy flow unit. No prep required. Just launch and explore.
