Resource Availability & Population Dynamics Real-World Case Study | Life Science | Grades 6–8

This Real-World Case Study asks grades 6–8 Middle School Life Science students to weigh a real decision about Resource Availability & Population Dynamics and defend a solution with evidence.

Scenario: In the suburban Blue Hills Reservation outside Boston, Massachusetts, the white-tailed deer population has grown dramatically over the past thirty years. Historically, gray wolves and eastern cougars kept deer numbers near a sustainable carrying capacity of 6 to 8 deer per square kilometer. However, after apex predators were… Key question: "Evaluate the three management options—sharpshooter culling, surgical sterilization, or taking no action and letting winter starvation occur."

What's inside: the scenario, 5 questions to consider, an answer key, arguments for and against for the teacher, and teacher notes.

Resource type: Case Study (.docx). Format: editable Microsoft Word handout with approximately 940 words (~6 pages).

Classroom use: independent response, small-group comparison, and a whole-class debate in a Middle School Life Science course. Grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.