Ecosystem Population Dynamics Lab

Students estimate fish by mark-recapture, model deer and lynx–hare cycles, test a kelp web and build energy pyramids.

Grades 6–8Virtual lab · 5 stations1 student per deviceNo student loginsWorks offline

$8Buy Ecosystem Population Dynamics Lab ▶ Play the free demo

Try it free: the demo opens the Start page and Station 1 right in your browser. No sign-up needed.

Virtual labs are sold separately and aren’t part of the All-Access licenses.

Screenshot of Ecosystem Population Dynamics Lab

Grade level

Grades 6–8: Mark-recapture ponds, deer and lynx–hare models, kelp forest scenarios, energy pyramids

What students practice

Mark and recapture estimates, carrying capacity and limiting factors, predator-prey cycles, food webs and keystone species, energy pyramids and the 10% rule

Standards

NGSS: MS-LS2-1 · MS-LS2-2 · MS-LS2-3 · MS-LS2-4

How it works

Open the game file in any web browser: Chromebooks, laptops or your smartboard. No accounts, no student logins and no internet needed once it's downloaded.
Each student types their name on the Start page, then works through the stations in order. Each station has a prediction, a hands-on activity, a data table or log that fills in as they work and a check question.
Students finish with a printable lab report (print or save as PDF). The Teacher Notes include the standards, a full answer key and a reset button for shared devices.
Each purchase includes the lab file and a one-page Quick Start guide.