Which activity best supports a second-grade unit on local ecosystems around a lake when practicing scientific modeling?

The activity that best supports a second-grade unit on local ecosystems around a lake while practicing scientific modeling is marking locations of plant and animal species on a hiking map. This activity engages students in the process of scientific modeling by having them map out the distribution of various species within a specified ecosystem. By doing this, students can visualize where different animals and plants are found in relation to one another and their habitat. This also encourages them to think critically about the relationships between species and their environments.

Mapping out species locations allows for the integration of observational skills with a practical tool that scientists use, providing a hands-on way to explore ecological concepts. Students can also discuss factors such as habitat preferences, population distribution, and how these elements contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem. This reinforces their understanding of local ecosystems and encourages inquiry-based learning through observation and representation, which is a fundamental aspect of scientific modeling.

The other activities, although beneficial for learning about ecosystems, do not focus on the practice of scientific modeling to the same extent as mapping species locations. For example, learning about a frog's adaptations emphasizes individual species, and visiting the lake for water sampling supports data collection rather than modeling. Constructing explanations of lake-effect snow pertains more to weather systems than to the biological aspects