Marine Science – Research Project
The ocean is a new frontier - a place that is home to many organisms discovered and waiting to be discovered. These organisms include microscopic archaebacteria that live in extreme conditions to the largest animal to grace the ocean, the blue whale. For this project, you will select an organism of your interest and complete a research project. The requirements of your presentation are outlined below. The “topics” section simply gives suggestions to what you may want to research. You are certainly not limited to looking for information only outlined on this page.
I.
Topic: Marine Organism a.
Name i.
Common: ii.
Scientific: iii.
Variations (subgenera, subspecies) b.
Description i.
Size ii.
Weight iii.
Sexual dimorphism (gender differences) c.
Developmental stages/life cycle i.
Sexual vs. asexual ii.
Size at birth iii.
Important developmental stages iv.
Incubation/gestation period v.
Period to sexual maturity vi.
Life expectancy d.
Diet i.
Food sources ii.
Method of food acquisition iii.
Possible predators e.
Behavior i.
Courtship behavior ii.
Social behavior iii.
Defense: camouflage, venom, shell . . . etc. iv.
Migration v.
Other unique behavior f.
Habitat i.
In what zone of the ocean does the organism live Location: benthic, pelagic, estuary, coastal ii.
Geographic location iii.
Temperature preference g.
Niche i.
Producer vs. consumer ii.
Role in its ecosystem h.
Human Impact i.
Status on endangered list ii.
Conservation/preservation efforts iii.
Impact on human
Your Task:
Complete and Present a Poser that contains all of the above information. On the presentation day(s) you will be required to present your poser to the teacher as well as your peers.

What is the Marine Organism you
Chose:
1.
What is the Common name of the organism?
2.
What is the full scientific name of the organism? And why does it have that name? a.
Kingdom (Why) b.
Phylum (Why) c.
Class (Why) d.
Order (Why) e.
Family (Why) f.
Genius (Why) g.
Species (Why)
(you may have to look up these words)
3.
What is the average Size of the organism?
4.
What is the average Weight of the organism?
5.
What is the difference between a male and a female? (sexual dimorphism)
6.
Does the organism reproduce
Sexually or asexually?
7.
What is the organism’s Size at birth?
8.
What are the developmental stages of the organism? (Look for words like pup, polyp, adult ect?)
9.
How long is the female pregnant before she gives birth?
(Incubation/gestation period)
10.
How long does it take before the male or female is able to reproduce? Period to sexual maturity
11.
How many usually die in the wild?
12.
What is the average Life expectancy?
13.
What does the organism eat?
14.
How does the organism hunt?
(ambush, pursuit, pack, solitary)

15.
What eats the organism?
16.
How does the organism attract mates?
17.
Does the organism have any special Social behavior?
18.
What is the organisms main defense against predators?
19.
Does the organism migrate?
Where and why?
20.
What is cool about your organism?
21.
In what marine region does your organism live? (Open ocean, ocean floor, deep water, coral reef, close to shore, arctic)
22.
Where in the world your organism be found?
23.
What water temperature does your organism prefer?
24.
Is your organism an autotrophy or a Heterotroph? How do you know?
25.
What is your organism role in its ecosystem? (Primary producer,
Apex predator, consumer, scavenger)
26.
What is your organisms Status on endangered list? What does this mean?
27.
Is there any Conservation or preservation efforts for your organism?
28.
what effect do humans have on your organism/what effect does your organism have on humans?
Sights :
2)
3)
1)
4)

Circle indicates Item Was NOT Discussed During Presentation
Name:______________________________ Organism:_________________________________
All facts Included (Each counts 3pts): a.
Name i.
Common: ii.
Scientific: b.
Description i.
Size ii.
Weight iii.
Sexual dimorphism c.
Developmental stages/life cycle i.
Sexual vs. asexual ii.
Size at birth iii.
Important developmental stages iv.
Incubation/gestation period v.
Period to sexual maturity vi.
Life expectancy d.
Diet i.
Food sources ii.
Method of food acquisition iii.
Possible predators e.
Behavior i.
Courtship behavior ii.
Social behavior iii.
Defense iv.
Migration f.
Habitat i.
Geographic location ii.
Ocean region (Benthic, pelagic ect) g.
Ecological Niche i.
Role in its ecosystem ii.
Trophic level h.
Human Impact i.
Status on endangered list ii.
Conservation/preservation efforts iii.
Impact on humans
Total_________/75pts
0
Presenter had little to no idea what they were saying, made no eye contact and spoke fast and unclearly, and had less than the minimum amount of information required in the presentation as well as incorrect information
6
Presenter read directly off poster that where confusing and unclear, made no eye contact, and had less than the minimum amount of information required in the presentation
12
Presenter read directly off poster, made little eye contact, and provided little if any additional material to capture classes attention
18
Presenter barely read directly off poster, made eye contact, and provided some additional material to capture classes attention
25
Poster where used only as a supplement to presentation,
Presenter made eye contact during all the presentation, and provided numerous additional materials to capture classes attention
100