Zooquest

An Endangered Species Exhibit Webquest

Designed by Jeanine Swan

Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

Extension | Teacher Page

Introduction

Did you know that there are approximately 30 billion species that inhabit our Earth? Seems like a lot doesn't it? Unfortunately, that figure is dwindling daily and our Earth's ecosystem is in a crisis situation. Due to various human activities, plants and wildlife are threatened at an alarming rate. We are losing up to 100 species every day and scientists predict that the total number of species lost each year will exceed 40,000! Today more than 1,000 animal species are classified as endangered worldwide.

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Task

 As members of the Phoenix Zoo's Captive Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) you know how important it is to save our world's animals. Your job is to design a new zoo exhibit for a specific endangered species and develop a public research report to promote public awareness and action.

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Process

1. Start with the background information. This will help with your research for your public research report and zoo exhibit.

2. With a CBSG partner, select an endangered animal from the list in the Resources picture menu bar.

3. As CBSG partners, you must evenly divide the eight topics listed and research information using the links for each animal. The ninth topic you both must research.

The topics you will research are:

1. Classification and scientific name of animal 2. Physical characteristics of animal 3. Habitat 4. Diet 5. Caring for their young 6. Adaptations 7. Predators 8. Reasons for endangerment 9. An action plan to save this animal from extinction

4. Working together, partners will record information gathered on their data sheets (make as many copies as you need to include all your gathered information).

5. After you have researched all the topics, CBSG partners will create a three-dimensional model of a zoo exhibit for your endangered animal. In addition, each of you will write a separate research report to educate the public and to encourage their support to save your animal. (You may choose to word process your report or you may create a Hyperstudio presentation report).

The three-dimensional zoo exhibit model will include:

* A "natural" habitat to support animals

* A night house for the animals

* A protective enclosure, so the public can view animals safely

* A way to safely feed the animals

* A minimum of two animals, male and female

Your public research report will include:

* A minimum of 9 paragraphs (one for each specific topic)

* 4-8 pictures (at least one should be a map of where animal is located)

* A Works Cited page appropriately citing all Internet resources used

6. Both CSBG partners will give a presentation to the class sharing your model zoo exhibit and public research reports.

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Resources

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 Evaluation

 

Category	Exemplary 4	Accomplished 3	Developing 2	Beginning 1	Score
Content of research on endangered species	Covers topic in depth. Elaborates throughout. Subject knowledge is evident (more than required)	Includes essential information. Subject knowledge is evident in much of the product.	Fulfills minimal topic requirements. Some subject knowledge is evident, but some is incorrect or confusing	Subject knowledge is not evident. Information is confusing, incorrect, or flawed.
Mechanics	Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors.	Presentation has fewer than two misspellings or grammatical errors.	Presentation has three or more misspellings or grammatical errors	Presentation has four or more spelling or grammatical errors.
Oral Presentation	Uses original approach effectively. Highly organized. Well rehearsed. Ease in delivery.	Interesting. Logical order. Fluid delivery. Good use of delivery techniques.	Clear and understandable. Uses appropriate language. Uses limited delivery techniques.	No logical sequence of events. No evidence of delivery techniques.
Zoo Exhibit Model	Product demon- strates a very creative and clear understanding of animals' habitat and safety needs, as well as the importance of public safety and awareness.	Product includes essential elements. Knowledge of animals' and public needs as well as the importance of public awareness is evident.	Product fulfills minimum require- ments. Some understanding is evident, but all the needs of the animals and the public are not addressed.	Product shows little or no knowledge of animals' habitat and safety needs and shows little or no evidence of the importance of public safety and awareness.
Teamwork	The work load was divided and shared equally by both team members.	Both team mem- bers contributed their fair share of the work.	Both team mem- bers participated in some aspect of the work, but work- loads varied.	The work load was not divided equally and one team member contri- buted more than his or her fair share.

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 Conclusion

You have published a public awareness research report and you have created a model of a zoo exhibit on a specific endangered species. You now have an awareness of the crisis that our world is experiencing. Your new understandings have enabled you to develop an action plan to make a positive difference to save one of our precious animals. What is being done today to perserve your animal? How might you further the efforts to protect your animal?

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Extension

You have learned about a specific endangered animial as well as the causes of its endangerment. Research and contact an organization regarding how you might lead your class in an effort to protect your animal from becoming extinct.

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Teacher Page

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