Marine Organism Poster Presentation Rubric
Life Science Standards – Performance Expectations
LS2B – Evaluate the conditions necessary for rapid population growth (e.g., given adequate living and non-living resources and no disease or
predators, populations of an organism increase at rapid rates).
LS2C – Explain factors, including matter and energy, in the environment that limit the growth of plant and animal populations in natural ecosystems.
LS2E – Compare the biodiversity of organisms in different types of ecosystems (e.g., rain forest, grassland, desert) noting the interdependencies and
interrelationships among organisms in these different ecosystems.
LS3A – Explain biological evolution as the consequence of the interactions of four factors: population growth, inherited variability of offspring, a
finite supply of resources, and natural selection by the environment of offspring better able to survive and reproduce. Predict the effect on a species
if one of these factors should change.
LS3E – Classify organisms, using similarities and differences in physical and functional characteristics.
Common Core:
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Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats and media, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words. *See
“Research to Build Knowledge” in Writing and “Comprehension and Collaboration” in speaking and listening.
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective
selection, organization, organization and analysis of content.
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the
information while avoiding plagiarism.
You will create a scientific poster about a marine organism of your choice and present it to your classmates. The poster must include:
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Examples of the following: adaptations for feeding and protection; diet, relatives and primary predators
A high quality photo, simple but accurate drawing or model of your marine organism
A description of its ecosystem (location and conditions)
An explanation of its niche in this ecosystem and how the ecosystem might be affected if this organism was removed
A description of a current threat to the health of this ecosystem and how your organism is being impacted
A statement explaining why your organism and its ecosystem should be preserved and protected
A list of actions that people can take to help to preserve and protect your organism and its ecosystem
You must cite your sources
You will be sharing your poster with your classmates during a display session where you will give a brief (2-3 minute) oral presentation of the
information included on your poster with an emphasis on why you selected this organism and why it is important to preserve its ecosystem.
Classmates will also have the opportunity to talk to you about your poster after the oral presentations. Sessions will take place over two class
periods with half the class presenting during each period. During the class period when your poster is not on display you will act as a potential
“donor” that could fund a conservation project on behalf of an organism and its ecosystem. Donors get to decide which projects are most worthy
of a donation. Donors may distribute their donations to more than one project.
Category
Beginning
Approaching
Meeting
Exceeding
Poster
Poster is missing a
significant amount of the
required information and
shows a lack of research.
There are multiple
grammar or spelling errors
and poster is not
organized neatly or
effectively. Creativity is
lacking. Poster is not
designed in a manner that
is easy to read or
appealing to the reader.
Lacks a clear description
of the conservation issue.
Most or all of the required
information is provided
but details are limited.
The poster shows some
interest and effort in
learning about the
selected organism. Some
thought has been put in to
engaging an audience in
learning about this
organism. Some grammar
errors are present but
overall the poster is
presentable and conveys a
conservation message.
All the required
information is included
and displayed in a manner
that is appealing and easy
to read. An effort has
been given to
communicate the
information creatively and
in a manner that is
engaging on behalf of the
selected organism and the
health of its ecosystem.
Little or no grammatical
errors are evident. Poster
is attractive and
effectively conveys a
conservation message.
Meets all the
requirements of
“Meeting.” Very creative
with exceptional effort
put in to the design.
Demonstrates extreme
diligence and attention to
detail. Shows willingness
to take a leadership role in
educating others about
the health the organism’s
ecosystem and relevant
and achievable
conservation actions.
Category
Beginning
Approaching
Meeting
Exceeding
Presentation
Little interest is expressed
for the selected organism
or threats to its
ecosystem.
Little effort is made to
communicate with
classmates when given
the opportunity.
Demonstrates a lack of
preparation.
Presentation shows some
interest in the selected
organism and the threats
to its ecosystem, but
information is presented
in a way that may be
unclear or uninspiring to
the audience. Some effort
is made to engage
classmates in learning
about the organism and
pertinent conservation
concerns but is not done
with creativity.
Presentation shows a
genuine interest the
selected organism and the
health of its ecosystem.
Presentation is
comprehensive and
includes accurate and
relevant information.
Information is presented
in manner that is creative
and engaging and
encourages the audience
to take action on behalf of
their organism.
Meets all the
requirements of
“Meeting.” Presentation is
very polished and
demonstrates exceptional
diligence and attention to
detail. The information is
conveyed very clearly and
with authority. Exudes
passion for making an
effort towards protecting
the organism and its
ecosystem. Outstanding
effort in preparation for
this presentation is
evident.
Your poster display:
o Can be on a large poster board that can be taped up on one of the classroom walls. Make sure it’s not too heavy.
o Can be on a tri-fold cardboard display board that can sit on a table.
o Can be a PPT or Prezi. If you choose this medium instead of a board display please keep that part of your display short – think of it as a
commercial.
o Can include other items as part of your display. For example: A handout for donor describing why and how your organism needs to be
protected from threats to the health of their ecosystem.
Project deadlines:
o Give me the name of the organism you have chosen: Wednesday, September 29th
o Turn in an outline of the information that you will include on your poster: Monday, October 6th. You will receive a formative grade on this
portion of the assignment.
o Final posters are due: Monday, October 20th, 1014
o Poster display sessions will take place on October Monday October 20th and Wednesday 22nd, 2014. Names will be drawn on the 20th to
determine if you will display your poster that day or on the 22nd.