Proposal Summary

Biology is not exciting to those who read about it from their textbooks, but to those who can wrap their hands and minds around a real world situation, stimulating every sense as they experience the thrill of science first hand.  Our project presents students with a real problem faced by real biologists everyday: how to create and maintain habitats for all varieties of animals in a limited space.  Utilizing the project-based instruction teaching strategy, we will guide the students through activities and creative instruction to help them build a firm foundation of content knowledge.  As we guide them, the students will use this new knowledge to consider every aspect of an animalÕs lifestyle and survival, eventually constructing a habitat that is appealing, affordable, and functional.  Throughout its course, this project will sharpen the studentsÕ higher order thinking, as well as expose them to a variety of disciplines inextricably intertwined with science.

Description

            In this project students will choose three different animals for which they will design a zoo habitat.  The project will begin with a guest speaker from a local zoo discussing the purpose of zoos.  Students will learn the importance of zoos in other areas than entertainment. 

Students will then be taken through a series of lessons in which they explore all the components of a habitat.  A lesson on the importance of biodiversity will be the first topic in this series.  Students will then learn about the different environments animals live in, since climate and surroundings have a major impact on what kinds of animals are able to survive in a particular habitat.  Students will review their animalsÕ place in the ecosystem by studying the structure of food webs and pyramids.  The relationships and behaviors of all kinds of creatures will be studied to help students evaluate how many of their animals will be together in one area, and with whom they can share a habitat.  Disease awareness and prevention as well as overall protection are other issues that will be addressed.  A variety of activities (including labs, debates, and presentations) will help the students design their habitats.  Throughout the lessons, students will apply their new knowledge to their individual animals.  After determining what each animal will need to survive, students will learn about zoos as businesses.  They will be required to consider cost and the everyday issues of running a zoo for their final habitat. 

The students will have the opportunity to visit the local zoo to observe habitats and see the details of how an actual zoo is designed.  This will give the students firsthand knowledge of the real world application of their project. 

At the end of the six weeks students will complete posters depicting the details of their designs of the different habitats.  They will also give an oral presentation to the class.

Rationale

In a position statement adopted by the National Science Teachers Association in 2003, the board of directors agree that Òteachers of science must provide their students with inquiries that mentally and physically engage their studentsÉin ways that facilitate students' understanding as well as provide opportunities for students to apply and transfer their knowledge to new situations.Ó  The project based learning environment is an ideal place for students to be engaged, challenged, and exposed to new circumstances.  Such a classroom provides a jumping off point for students to apply skills for thinking on their feet in other subjects, and even in their future careers.

Our project, which is part of a project based instruction classroom, focuses on natural habitats.  Current statistics show that every twenty minutes the world loses one or more entire species of animal or plant life.  Eighty percent of this decline in biodiversity is caused by habitat destruction.  Preserving natural habitats and species is becoming a matter of great importance.  On the forefront of these conservation efforts are the worldÕs zoos.  Our goal is to put our students in the midst of their very own zoo to experience the intricacies of habitat and species conservation.

The project utilizes skills from several different areas of study.  The main focus of the activity is biology, but students must also incorporate math (writing a budget and calculating costs), English (writing proposals to the zoo donors and supporters, as well as compiling a final report), and even art (the habitats should be aesthetically pleasing as well as functional).  This project will allow students to be exposed to the reality of a need for serious conservation efforts, given the opportunity to explore new ways of learning, and prepared for a successful future in science.

Potential Impact

            This project begins with several goals: to teach students the importance of conservation of habitats and species, enrich studentsÕ problem solving skills through project-based instruction, and alert youth to the value of imaginative thinking in the scientific community.  Students will become aware of the changing world around them and the impact of those changes.  They will learn how all components of an ecosystem come together to determine the survival of a species.  Students will also learn about measures being taken by zoos and conservation societies alike to save endangered species.  At the least, this project brings awareness of the importance of biodiversity, but can also inspire students to want to do something about the destruction of habitats and species.

            The project based instruction classroom provides many opportunities for students to hone their creative thinking skills, and help them to understand the importance fo approaching a problem from several different angles.  Students will have given an overview of the information they need to design their habitats, and then be given enormous independence with their projects.  They will be responsible for researching their individual animals, and they must face and resolve real issues that zoos deal with such as space, cost, and feasibility, thus applying their knowledge to new (but real) situations.

            Students will also be exposed to several different careers that are available in the science field.  Many careers in science are truly interdisciplinary, as they bring together many aspects of history, English, math, art, geography in a single effort of scientific achievement.  The design of their habitats is one such achievement.  This will broaden studentsÕ perceptions of their career options in science.

Evaluation Plan

As the project begins, we will gather prior knowledge from the students using a concept mapping assessment tool.  This will serve as a kind of pretest for the students to establish what knowledge they are entering the project with.  Throughout the project, we will monitor the studentsÕ progress with a series of minor assessments.  Also, the students will be required to turn in fact sheets containing the data they have gathered during their research.  In this way, we will be able to ensure that all students are moving at a similar pace.  At the end of the project, we will assess the studentsÕ overall improvement by allowing them a brief presentation (both verbal and visual) in which they describe one of their habitats in depth.  These presentations will be followed by question and answer sessions in which the students will have to defend their choices and explain their reasoning.

Project Calendar

Budget

Computers (30)*

Art supplies*

            Poster board (120 pieces)

            Markers (8 packages)

            Pens, pencils

            Construction Paper

            Glue (8 bottles)

Projector*

Digital Camera.......................................$250

Nutrient Agar Plates (130).....................$210

Lab Supplies*

Sterile Swabs (200)

Microscopes (30)

Microscope Slides (200)

Cover slips (200)

Distilled Water (2 gal)

Zoo Tycoon 2 (30).......................................................$600

Guest Speakers-Conservationist, Zoo Docent (2)..........$300

March of the Penguins (DVD).......................................$17

The Best of Nature DVD set.........................................$30

Zoo Admission (120)....................................................$400

Transportation to Zoo...................................................$500

Zoo Staff Costs for our Visit.........................................$150

Total...........................................................................$2457

*Provided by the School