Mrs. MacColl's Biology Page

"Create Your Own Species"

Due Date: Friday, February 23

Purpose: 

During our studies of biological evolution, you have learned that species change over time due to natural selection (adaptive radiation), mutation, and/or reproductive isolation (geographical, behavioral, temporal, and mechanical).  You are going to use this knowledge to not only create a unique species, but to show how it has evolved over time.

You are to create an ORIGINAL species.  Original = you have created it all on your own; it has never existed in the past or present, it is not a mythical creature that has already been created, nor is it a cartoon character.

Your project should include the following parts:

This project has two parts (Bio I) or three parts (Bio IH), each worth a fixed amount of points.

1. BIO I & BIO IH:  3-D species model (25 points).
2. BIO IH:  Written paper about your species (50 points).
3. BIO I & BIO IH:  2-D poster summarizing your species’ evolutionary progress/history (50 points for BIO IH & 75 points for BIO I).

Your project will be graded upon the following criteria:

1. Species 3-D model:  Your model will be assessed on the following criteria:
   • Species must be original.
   • Species must be created out of any original/unique recyclable/reusable materials. 
   • No more than $5 spent on materials.
   • Model must be 3-dimensional. 
   • Model size can range from 15 – 45 cm.
   • Species must pass durability test.

2. Written paper (BIO IH ONLY):  Your paper will be assessed on the following criteria:
   • Typed, 12 font, double spaced
   • Description of species habitat.
   • Description of species diet.
   • Description of species evolutionary history – how has it evolved (natural selection, reproductive selection, etc.).
   • Explanation of whether gradualism or punctuated equilibrium occurred.
   • Use of descriptive adjectives throughout your paper.

3. 2-D poster:  Your poster will be assessed on the following criteria: 
   • Neatness, creativity, and effort.
   • Illustrate your original organism and at least five of its original descendants - ANCESTORS. 
   • Show how these descendant (ancestor) species evolved (natural selection, mutation, reproductive isolation).  Illustrate either gradualism or punctuated equilibrium.
   • Label one homologous structure found in all six species (original and five descendants) and illustrate how the homologous structure evolved differently, over time, in each of the six organisms.

General information:

Your project will count as a test grade (100 points).  Species that are turned in late will not be accepted.  Do not wait until the last possible moment to start your project.  This is YOUR project, therefore YOUR responsibility.  Take pride in your work and show me how creative you can be!

Grading Rubric:  

I did not spend more than $5.00 on my model:  ___________________________________________________

My son/daughter did not spend more than $5.00 on his/her model:  ___________________________________

Species Rubric:

Guidelines	5	4	3	2	1
Original recyclable/reusable materials used	All materials are original!	Most materials are original.	Some materials are original.	Little materials are original.	Missed the boat!
$5.00 limit	$5.00 limit met.				Missed the boat!
Species durability	Couldn’t break it if you tried!	Could break, but difficult to do.	Could break with some ease.	Breaks with ease.	Missed the boat!
Species originality	Outstanding originality!	Good originality.	Average originality.	Poor originality.	Missed the boat!
3-D Model “likeness”	Model looks exactly like illustration!	Model looks like illustration.	Model looks somewhat like illustration.	Model looks remotely like illustration.	Missed the boat!

Written Paper Rubric:

Guidelines	5	4	3	2	1
Format & grammar	Paper is typed, 12 font and double-spaced.  Free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes!	Paper is typed, 12 font and double-spaced.  Minimal spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes!	Part of paper is typed, 12 font and double-spaced.  Some spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes!	Paper is not typed, 12 font and double-spaced. Many spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes!	Missed the boat!
Description of species habitat and diet	Extraordinary description!	Good description.	Average description.	Weak description.	Missed the boat!
Description of species evolutionary history	Extraordinary description!	Good description.	Average description.	Weak description.	Missed the boat!
Explanation of gradualism and/or punctuated equilibrium	Extraordinary explanation!	Good explanation.	Average explanation.	Weak explanation.	Missed the boat!
Use of descriptive adjectives	Brilliant descriptive adjectives used throughout!	Good descriptive adjectives used.	Common descriptive adjectives used.	Weak descriptive adjectives used.	Missed the boat!

2-D Poster Rubric:

Guidelines	5/15	4/14	3/13	2/12	1/11
Format	Neatness, creativity, and effort are outstanding.	Neatness, creativity, and effort are excellent.	Neatness, creativity, and effort are okay.	Neatness, creativity, and effort are lacking.	Missed the boat!
Illustration of original species and descendants	Original species and 5 descendants illustrated.	Original species and 4 descendants are illustrated.	Original species and 3 descendants are illustrated.	Original species and 2 descendants are illustrated.	Missed the boat!
Species and descendants adaptations (gradualism/p.eq.)	Outstanding explanation of the evolutionary change!	Good job explaining the evolutionary change.	You could’ve done better explaining the evolutionary change.	Weak explanation of the evolutionary change.	Missed the boat!
Original and descendants	1 original and 5 descendants.	1 original and 4 descendants.	1 original and 3 descendants.	1 original and 2 descendants.	Missed the boat!
Homologous structures	Outstanding illustrations and labels!	Good illustrations and labels.	Average illustrations and labels.	Weak illustrations and labels.	Missed the boat!

Previous Projects