Natural Selection Project - 2014

This project will be due in May 2014, but we will work on it in stages. The first stage of research (related to Natural Selection) will be need to be completed by Wednesday, 3/19 and we’ll start our power point on Thursday, 3/20. If a student is absent, additional time will be granted.

Darwin saw some amazing things in his 5 weeks on the Galapagos Islands– he was so inspired he wrote a book and developed our modern theory of EVOLUTION, including the idea of NATURAL SELECTION.

Your job is to research an animal of your choice (either one Darwin saw or something else), to learn about its unique adaptations, and then to educate the class about what you learned. You need to get your organism approved by Mrs. Hladun by the end of the day on Mon., 3/17.

You will complete your research in class (you can add to it at home if you’d like) using the Chrome Books.

You will prepare a power point using a template Mrs. Hladun will share with you. You will present your power point later in trimester 3 (in May). You do not have to finish your power point by 3/20, but you must start on it by then.

You need to use at least 4 resources in your research. You can use the internet (try stick to zoo websites, National Geographic, .gov, .edu, and .net). You can also use books/magazines. Avoid internet places like Wikipedia, ask.com, chacha.com, .ehow, .buzzle, .about, etc…that are boards where anyone can answer/add information.

You are to learn about your organism. Our focus is on ADAPTATIONS and how it leads to SURVIVAL and REPRODUCTION. You will need to have at least 20 facts and 4 pictures about your organism in your presentation. Below is a list of ideas of what to learn about. You are welcome to learn other things – this is just a list of ideas. However, those items marked with a * are required for your presentation:

  • *What is the common name of your organism? The scientific name?
  • Is your organism named after someone/something (either it’s common or scientific name)?
  • How many of your species currently are alive in the world? Are their numbers increasing, decreasing, or steady?
  • *What does your organism look like? What are some unique physical traits of your organism?
  • *What does your organism consume/eat? Does it have any unique traits that help it to consume/eat?
  • *Where does your organism live naturally? Does it have any unique traits that help it to survive in its natural habitat?
  • Is your organism commonly found in zoos or nature preserves? Why?
  • What is the range of your organism (is it only in certain areas?)? If it is found in multiple areas how did it get to all the different areas?
  • *What are your organism’s predators? How does your organism escape predators?
  • Does your organism have any unique methods of reproduction (i.e. have an odor that attracts a certain pollinator, or have a pouch like a marsupial?)?
  • What kinds of things does your organism COMPETE for in nature?
  • *Identify and describe at least 3 unique adaptations your organism possesses – determine if they are behavioral, physical or chemical. Find a picture for each adaptation you use.
  • *Be prepared to describe HOW these adaptations allow your organism to survive and reproduce.
  • Is your organism facing a threat that might lead to extinction? What is the threat? Are there groups trying to protect it? How are groups try to save it? Why is your organism worth protecting?
  • How has the presence of humans impacted your organism?
  • What other unique information can you discover about your organism?