Turkey Trouble
Turkey Trouble is an activity from the Project WILD curriculum that studies the growth of an introduced population of turkeys over time. I used the activity a few times to teach students the difference between linear and exponential growth. However, many of my students were so overwhelmed by the math and numerical manipulation in the activity that the broader concepts were lost. With this revision, the math is simplified, the instructions are shortened and clarified.
The activity takes an introduced population of turkeys and predicts their population growth using a linear and exponential model. The linear model is very simple, assuming a constant rate of growth. The exponential model takes many more variables into account, and ends with a discussion of carrying capacity.
Essential concepts:Population growth rates, linear growth, exponential growth, carrying capacity, birth rate, death rate, immigration, emigration, variables.
Answer Key: Available for purchase at the environmental science instructor resources subscription page.
