Biology 2 Honors/AP
Meier
Themes of Biology Project
Name
Project Description/Instructions
Our textbook describes 12 themes in the study of biology. These are the “big picture” ideas that apply
throughout the field and apply to everything we will study this year. These themes are:
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Hierarchy of organization
Emergent properties
Cellular basis of life
Heritable information
Structure and function
Interaction with the environment (interdependence)
Regulation and regulatory mechanisms
Unity and diversity
Evolution
Science as a process
Science, Technology, and Society
Biology is multidisciplinary
Partner up with a class mate and select a theme by random draw. You and your partner will be teaching
your classmates about the selected theme on Tuesday (and Wednesday if needed – by random draw).
Your presentation must include the following:
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An explanation of what the theme is – like a definition in plain English
At least 2 specific illustrative examples of the theme explained in some detail
A visual aid for your presentation – may be PowerPoint, Prezi, poster, etc…
Good use of relevant scientific vocabulary (if you mean homeostasis, say homeostasis!)
2 short answer questions for your classmates to answer about your presentation (may be about
the illustrative examples or the explanation you give)
6. Written answers to the questions you provide (an answer key)
The questions and answers should be given only to the instructor, not your classmates.
You will have only one day in class (Thursday) to work on this assignment. It is expected that you and
your partner will communicate outside of class time and collaborate. You will be allowed a 10 minutes
window on Monday at the start of class to communicate with your partner. Tuesday’s presentations will
start promptly. Every group should be prepared to present on Tuesday. Here are some tips:
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In class, outline what you want in your presentation, then assign each other specific tasks to
complete independently
Make a plan for communication – a phone call, texts, online, meet up – a plan that includes a
date and time
Complete your portion of the agreed upon work and follow through on the communication plan
Share what you have accomplished, plan your next steps and assign tasks – repeat as needed
Presentations should be quite short – think 4-5 minutes
If you use electronic visual aids, focus on content not flashy gimmicks – every letter flying in one
at a time is annoying and nearly always a waste of time
Biology 2 Honors/AP
Meier
Themes of Biology Project
Name
Project Planning Tool
My partner is _________________________________________________________________________
Our theme is __________________________________________________________________________
What does it mean? Include sources you used.
One Illustrative Example _________________________________________________________________
A second Illustrative Example _____________________________________________________________
Task Assignment/s: (Check off when achieved.)
Who?
What?
By When?
Time and Date
Quick Summary
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Communication plans:
Contact method/info