The Ocean’s Most Wanted
You will create a computer generated “Ocean’s Most Wanted” Report. The report can be done on any of the following programs: MS Word, Sway, or Publisher. The “Ocean’s Most Wanted” Report should be submitted digitally. If you use MS Word or Publisher make your report fit on TWO pages.
Pick a marine species that is connected to us in some way. This could be a negative impact we have on the species survival; OR our use of the species to help us survive, such as a food source; OR how the species affects us in a negative way, possibly being deadly to us. Also it is very important that you have a personal interest in learning more about your selected marine species. To complete this project you will need to research where and how your selected marine species survives and apply knowledge learned throughout the Oceanography and Climate Unit. Theproject isworth 30 pts and is due on
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Use the following criteria:
Format& Completeness (5 pts)
Format
Your Report must be computer generatedusing one of the programs discussed above and submitted digitally to your teacher.
Your Report needs a “WANTED” Title which includes the name of your selected marine species. (Remember to put your name on the Report.)
Use Headings and Subheadings on the Report for each of the SECTIONS listed below.
Information you present should be in the context of the project’s theme “The Ocean’s Most Wanted”. Be creative in your writing style.
Proof Read and spell check.
Completeness
Completed information on each of the SECTIONS outlined below.
Information you provide for each section should be thoroughly explained (it is acceptable to use bullets).
Information provided in your Report needs to be in YOUR OWN words, NOT cut and pasted from a website.
Pictures & Labels (5 pts)
Include at least one picture for each of the SECTIONS listed below.
Every picture should have a label that describes how the picture is related to the section.
- NOTE: Each SECTION below provides a description of the type of picture needed for that section.
Section 1: Describe your Species & its Unique Adaptations (5 pts)
Aquatic Classification
Determine the species aquatic classification (plankton, nekton, or benthos). Use pg. 428-429 in the textbook.
Describe WHY your species is classified as: plankton, nekton, or benthos.
Unique Characteristics
Describeat least FOURDETAILED & UNIQUE adaptations your species has that help it to survive in the ocean. You could include: How it eats? How it moves? How it survives from predators? Do NOT use basic common knowledge about your species as a unique characteristic.
Section 1 Picture
Picture needs to show your animal displaying some of these unique characteristics. Label the characteristics.
Section 2: Where was your species last seen? (Location & Currents) (5 pts)
Ocean Location
Provide the name of the ocean gyre(s) where your species lives. Be as specific as possible, such asthe South Atlantic gyre off the coast of South Africa. If your species lives in the deep ocean, state which ocean basin it survives in. For example, the deep ocean basin of the North Pacific near the coast of Alaska.
Ocean Current
Name the surface currents your animal may encounter in this ocean gyre. Describe whether these are warm or cold currents and explain WHY. If your species lives in the deep ocean describe the characteristics of the deep currents.
Section 2 Picture
Include a map of the world ocean and label where your species lives.
Section 3: What type of neighborhood does your species hangout in? (Marine Life Zones) (5 pts)
***Use pages 430-432 in your textbook for this section***
Which marine life zone(s) based on “availability of sunlight” does your species live in?
Which marine life zone(s) based on “distance from shore” does your species live in?
Which marine life zone(s) based on “water depth” does your species live in?
Describe the characteristics and locations of the different marine life zones your species lives in using your textbook.
Section 3 Picture
Picture needs to show a diagram or visual of where your species’ marine life zone is located. Label the picture.
Section 4: Why is your species WANTED? (Human Impact) (5 pts)
Explain in DETAIL why your species is WANTED. Is it wanted because we have a negative impact on your species survival so you are trying to save it; OR is it wanted because we use your species to benefit our survival, such as a food source or product; OR is it wanted because your species has a negative effect on our survival, such as being deadly to us.
Provide RESEARCHED facts to support your explanation.
Section 4 Picture
Picture needs to show the effects your species has on us. Provide a caption explaining the picture.
Getting Started
- Pick a specific species (for example: a “sea turtle” is too general but a “loggerhead sea turtle” is a specific species).
- Suggestion - Use Noodletools to make notecards and keep track of your sources.
- Pick a format for your project that you are comfortable using and have access to at home. (Word, Publisher, Sway)
- Information to research:
- How does your species impact humans? (Your selected species has to have a connection to us.)
- Where in the world does your animal live (what oceans; near which continents)?
- What part of the ocean does your animal live in (shallow, deep, on ocean floor, in water, etc.)
- What does it eat? Do any predators eat it?
- What type of animal is it (mammal, reptile, fish, etc.)?
- Hoes does your animal move in its environment?
- Any unique facts about your species
Suggested Website to check out first:
- Excellent Resource – a list of ALL ocean animals: marinebio.org/search/