Instructional Period 1
Adaptations
August 2, 2010 – September 24, 2010
Culminating Project
During the past 7 weeks we have been studying Ecology, specifically the diversity, behavior,
and adaptations of living organisms. As a final project you must imagine you are a scientist
on a planet in another galaxy. You have been sent there to observe the diversity of living
things and the behaviors and adaptations of those organisms.
Task 1: You must observe the biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. You must examine the
living organisms, the relationships between these organisms, and explain how these organisms
are able to survive in this environment. You may report your findings in a written report, a
power point presentation, smart board presentation, or on a poster board. Follow the rubric to
ensure you answer all questions, make the necessary observations and inferences about the
organisms on this planet.
Task 2: You must CREATE a 2-dimensional representation (drawing) of the ecosystem you
observed. Use your rubric and reported findings to help ensure you have all the necessary parts
in your drawing.
Task 3: You must CREATE a 3-dimensional model of the ecosystem you observed. Use your
drawing, report, and the rubric to guide you in the construction of your model. You will be
given materials to complete your model after submitting your written report and 2-dimensional
model.
Task 4: Report your findings to the International Ecology Association (class). Present your
written findings (report, power point, or poster), drawing, and model.
Instructional Period 1
Adaptations
August 2, 2010 – September 24, 2010
Culminating Project Rubric
Task 1: Reported Findings
Environment
Correctly identify
and describe the
biome. Cover in
detail the
vegetation and
animals present.
Correctly identify
4 abiotic factors.
Correctly identify
4 biotic factors.
Organism # 1
(Animal)
Shelter
Food and Water
Reproduction
and
Offspring
4 points
3 points
2 points
1-0 points
Correctly identifies
the biome.
Describes the
environment and
including
temperature,
precipitation, soil
type, vegetation,
and animals
present.
Identifies and
describe 4 abiotic
factors.
Identifies and
describe 4 biotic
factors.
Correctly identifies
the biome.
Describes the
environment and
includes most of
the following:
temperature,
precipitation, soil
type, vegetation,
animals present.
Identifies and
describe 3 abiotic
factors.
Identifies and
describe 4 abiotic
factors.
Correctly identifies
the biome.
Describes the
environment and
includes some of
the following:
temperature,
precipitation, soil
type, vegetation,
animals present.
Identifies and
describe 2 abiotic
factors.
Identifies and
describe 4 abiotic
factors.
Correctly identifies
the biome.
Describes the
environment and
includes few of
the following:
temperature,
precipitation, soil
type, vegetation,
animals present.
Identifies and
describe 1 abiotic
factor.
Identifies and
describe 4 abiotic
factors.
4 points
3 points
2 points
1-0 points
Accurately
describes the
animal’s shelter
and explains how
the features of
this specific
environment allow
for survival in
detail.
Accurately
describes the
adaptations that
allow the animal
to obtain food and
water. Explains in
detail how these
adaptations
contribute to the
survival of the
organism.
Accurately
identifies and
describes the
organism’s type of
Accurately
describes the
animal’s shelter
and explains how
the features of
this specific
environment allow
for survival.
Accurately
describes the
animal’s shelter.
Does not describe
the animal’s
shelter.
Describes the
adaptations that
allow the animal
to obtain food and
water. Offers
minimal
explanation of the
adaptations.
Identifies the
adaptations that
allow the animal
to obtain food and
water.
Identifies only one
of the adaptations
that allow the
animal to obtain
food or water.
Accurately
identifies the
organism’s type of
reproduction
Accurately
identifies the
organism’s type of
reproduction
Is missing one or
more parts. Either
does not identify
the organism’s
Organism # 1
(Animal)
Continued…
Protective,
Defensive
Characteristics
Classification
Symbiotic
Relationship
Behavioral
Adaptation
Physiological
Adaptation
reproduction
(sexual or
asexual).
Describes in detail
if/how the animal
cares for offspring.
(sexual or
asexual).
Describes if and
how the animal
cares for its
offspring.
(sexual or
asexual). Identifies
whether or not
the animal cares
for its offspring.
type of
reproduction
(sexual or asexual)
or whether or not
the animal cares
for its offspring.
4 points
3 points
2 points
1-0 points
Accurately
identifies a
protective or
defensive
characteristic and
describes in detail
how this
adaptation allows
for the organism’s
survival.
Accurately
describes and
explains in detail
the classification
of this organism.
Correctly identifies
one type of
symbiotic
relationship this
organism has with
another organism
in the observed
environment, and
explains it in
detail.
Identify, describe,
and explain one
behavioral
adaptation not
listed above, that
ensures this
organism’s
survival.
Identify, describe,
and explain one
physiological
adaptation not
listed above, that
ensures this
organism’s
survival.
Accurately
identifies a
protective or
defensive
characteristic and
describes how this
adaptation allows
for the organism’s
survival.
Accurately
identifies a
protective or
defensive
adaptation.
Does not
accurately identify
a protective or
defensive
adaptation.
Accurately
describes and
explains the
classification of
this organism.
Correctly identifies
one type of
symbiotic
relationship this
organism has with
another organism
in the observed
environment, and
explains it.
Accurately
identifies the
classification of
this organism.
Does not
accurately identify
the classification
of this organism.
Correctly identifies
one type of
symbiotic
relationship this
organism has with
another.
Does not identify a
relationship this
organism has with
another.
Identify and
describe one
behavioral
adaptation not
listed above.
Does not identify
or describe a
behavioral
adaptation.
Identify and
describe one
physiological
adaptation not
listed above.
Does not identify
or describe a
physiological
adaptation.
Identify and
describe one
behavioral
adaptation not
listed above that
ensures this
organism’s
survival.
Identify and
describe one
physiological
adaptation not
listed above that
ensures this
organism’s
survival.
Organism # 2
(Plant)
Food and Water
Reproduction
(Pollination,
Germination, Seed
Dispersal)
Protective,
Defensive
Characteristics
Classification
Physiological
Adaptation
4 points
3 points
2 points
1-0 points
Accurately
describes the
adaptations that
allow the plant to
obtain food and
water. Explains in
detail how these
adaptations
contribute to the
survival of the
organism.
Accurately
identifies and
describes the
organism’s type of
reproduction.
Accurately
identifies a
protective or
defensive
characteristic and
describes in detail
how this
adaptation allows
for the organism’s
survival.
Accurately
describes and
explains in detail
the classification
of this organism.
Identify, describe,
and explain one
physiological
adaptation not
listed above, that
ensures this
organism’s
survival.
Describes the
adaptations that
allow the plant to
obtain food and
water. Offers
minimal
explanation of the
adaptations.
Identifies the
adaptations that
allow the plant to
obtain food and
water.
Identifies only one
of the adaptations
that allow the
plant to obtain
food or water.
Accurately
identifies the
organism’s type of
reproduction.
Accurately
identifies the
organism’s type of
reproduction.
Does not identify
the organism’s
type of
reproduction.
Accurately
identifies a
protective or
defensive
characteristic and
describes how this
adaptation allows
for the organism’s
survival.
Accurately
identifies a
protective or
defensive
adaptation.
Does not
accurately identify
a protective or
defensive
adaptation.
Accurately
describes and
explains the
classification of
this organism.
Identify and
describe one
physiological
adaptation not
listed above that
ensures this
organism’s
survival.
Accurately
identifies the
classification of
this organism.
Does not
accurately identify
the classification
of this organism.
Identify and
describe one
physiological
adaptation not
listed above.
Does not identify
or describe a
physiological
adaptation.
Food Web
Goods and Service
4 points
3 points
2 points
1-0 points
Identifies
producers,
consumers, and
decomposers
within a food web.
Also identifies the
prey and
predators in the
web. Includes at
least 7 organisms.
Identifies
producers,
consumers, and
decomposers
within a food web.
Also identifies the
prey and
predators in the
web. Includes at
least 5 organisms.
Identifies
producers,
consumers, and
decomposers
within a food web.
Also identifies the
prey and
predators in the
web. Includes at
least 3 organisms.
Creates a food
web but does not
identify the roles
of the organisms.
4 points
3 points
2 points
1-0 points
Describes at least
2 goods and 2
services that could
come from this
environment if
humans lived
there. Includes
how/why these
are important.
Describes at least
1 good and 1
service that could
come from this
environment if
humans lived
there. Includes
how/why these
are important.
Describes one
good or one
service that could
come from this
environment if
humans lived
there. Includes
how/why these
are important.
Does not describe
any goods or
services from this
environment.
2 points
1-0 points
Task 2: 2-Dimensional Representation
Drawing
4 points
3 points
Drawing includes 5
living organisms, 4
biotic and 4
abiotic factors. A
water source must
be present.
Shelter for the
described animal.
The symbiotic
relationship
described must be
illustrated.
Drawing must be
neat, include color
and labels.
Drawing includes
most of the 15
requirements (1012).
Drawing includes
some of the
requirements (710).
Drawing includes
few of the
requirements (less
than 7).
Task 3: 3-Dimensional Model
Model
4 points
3 points
2 points
1-0 points
Model includes
many of the biotic
and abiotic factors
present. It also
includes many
types of
vegetation and
animals in the
ecosystem. It
includes a water
source. It includes
a shelter for the
described
organism. The
symbiotic
relationship
described is
present.
Model includes
some of the biotic
and abiotic factors
present. It also
includes some
types of
vegetation and
animals in the
ecosystem. It
includes a water
source. It includes
a shelter for the
described
organism.
Model includes a
few biotic and
abiotic factors. It
includes at least
one type of
vegetation and
one type of
animal. It includes
a water source.
Model includes at
least one biotic
and one abiotic
factor. It includes
one type of
vegetation or one
animal. There is no
water source or
shelter.
Task 4: Reported Findings to International Ecology Association (Class)
Presentation
4 points
3 points
2 points
Speaks loudly for
class to hear,
makes eye contact
with audience.
Remains on task
and on topic.
Presentation
includes an
accurate and
thorough
explanation of
report, drawing,
and model.
Most of the time
the speaker is loud
enough to hear
and makes eye
contact. Remains
on topic.
Presentation
includes
explanation of
report, drawing,
and model.
Cannot hear the
presenter or does
not remain on
topic. Does not
explain report,
drawing, or model
in much detail.
1-0 points
Does not give a
presentation.