Dear Colleague,
Congratulations! Your continuous effort and dedication has finally paid
off. After months on your scientific expedition, you have just discovered a
new living organism! You are the talk of the scientific world and this is
sure to be one of the greatest evolutionary breakthroughs of the century!
The Bronx Zoo board of directors has asked you to submit and present your
findings at the upcoming International Scientist Conference, on June 4th.
It is at this conference where they will determine whether your new species
will be included in the forthcoming book, D3: The Definitive Discoveries of
the Decade.
Your task is to prepare a written, in-depth and informative, description of
your creature, including its classification, its interactions within its
habitat, the role it plays in its ecosystem, and an explanation of the
adaptations it possesses. We also need to be sure to include a detailed and
labeled, visual representation of this remarkable creature. Remember, these
scientists are very hard to please, so it is important that you do your very
best to impress the board.
Good luck! If all goes well, you may very well find yourself ranked right
up there with the greats, like Einstein, Darwin, and Newton.
Sincerely,
Dr. Pierre von Galileo de Copernicus
Rationale:
This project will assess your understanding of the following key essential
questions that pertain to our topics of study during the sixth grade school
year:
* How do living things interact with their habitat and what roles do
they play within it?
* How do organisms survive within their environment?
Project Due: Wednesday, June 13
Planning section #1 - Habitat - 5/29
Planning section #2 - General Info. - 6/1
Planning section #3 - Classification - 6/7
Planning section #4 - Adaptations - 6/7
Planning Section #5 - Evolution - 6/11
Project Handout /requirements
Click here for project documents, template, and guidelines
Habit Link from Eric!
SITE FOR RESEARCH !!!!!!
Start your project off by first gathering details about the biome
where you would like your animal to live. Below are link to information
about a variety of biomes.
http://www.mbgnet.net/
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/index.php
http://www.activescience-gsk.com/games/index.cfm?module=2
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0769052.html
http://idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season4/ecology/biomes.html
Animal Adaptations
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/activities/view_activity.cgi?activity_id=3803
Link for info. on animal characteristics and classification
FOOD CHAINS/FOOD WEB
http://www.vtaide.com/png/foodchains.htm
http://www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/kids_web.htm
http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/foodweb.htm
http://www.arcytech.org/java/population/facts_foodchain.html
http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/frogs/chain_reaction/index.cfm#
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2005/07/31/wolves050731.html
http://www.arkive.org/
Other Resources