Bio Apps Reflection 4

1. How does the Lion King ecology inform our big idea? (how organisms interact with eachother)
The Lion King's main theme is "the circle of life." Therefore, it directly informs our big idea of organisms interacting with one another. It references the importance of vegetation and water to keep the roaming animals alive as well as how the roaming animals utilize eachother to maintain life. It also touches on the fact that once one living thing dies, another one is created to fill the void. For example, when Scar is finally sacrificed, not only is the good spirit of Pride Rock rejuivinated but another baby cub is brought into the circle by Nala and Simba. This relation of ecology and the big idea to the Lion King is a great way to visualize and conceptualize the rather large big idea in terms that can be expressed to all ages.

2. How have your ideas changed (if they have) as a result?
My ideas of ecology have not so much changed but been reinforced. I feel as if I know can use this reference as a basic idea to remind me of how organisms interact with eachother and the importance of promoting the "circle of life." It has also strengthened by belief of using big ideas rather than specific and distinctive information to teach, so a variety of lessons can be taught through a variety of mediums. Showing ecology through the Lion King is one way to get the overall big idea across but that is only one way of many that science educators can explain to students how ecology functions. I must admit after watching this movie with an analytical eye, I found more relations to science than ever before and most likely forsee myself utilizing this and other animated movies to get similar points across to young learners. Whether it is the characteristics of organisms, how they interact with their environment or how they interact with other organisms, ecology is always around and always to be explored.