Name: ___________________________________
End of the Year Culminating Project
Description and Guidelines
Purpose: Biology is the Study of Life. All year long we have delved into the characteristics of life and also the
unifying themes of Biology. The purpose of the project is to focus on just one organism as an example of the
things that we have learned about life this year. You will present your work in a creative method of your
choosing.
Below is a list the characteristics of life or unifying theme of life you may focus on for your organism. You
must choose 5 characteristics of life/themes to recognize/describe/present for your organism (remember – the
wiki organism). A question follows to help you understand each theme or characteristic. These ARE NOT
specific questions you must answer, but they demonstrate the depth expected to address a theme.
My assigned organism is: _____________________________________________
Characteristics or Unifying Themes of Life
 All Life is Made of Cells Is your organism multicellular or unicellular? What is cell specialization?
What kind of specialized cells does your organism have? If unicellular, does your organism have any
special cellular features? What purpose does that feature(s) serve?
 All Life Must have a way to Obtain and use Energy and Matter How does your organism do this?
Autotroph? Heterotroph? Methods of eating? Unique features that help obtain energy or matter?
 All Life Must maintain a stable internal environment (Homeostasis) At any level (cellular, organ,
organismal) describe ways your organism maintains this balance.
 All Life Grows and Develops How does your organism do this? Does your organism go through any
interesting stages of development?
 Theme: Structure/Function Relationship: Give three examples of specific structures that your
organism possesses that serves a specific function. Be sure to describe how the structure serves the
function!
 All Life has DNA What is DNA? Why does your organism have it? How many chromosomes does
your organism have?
 All Life Reproduces How does your organism do this? Binary fission? Asexual? Sexual? Both? Any
unusual/interesting methods? (i.e. hermaphroditic organisms) rate of reproduction?- single vs. many
births
 All Life responds to the Environment In what kind of environment does your organism live? What
kinds of adaptations does your organism have to live there? (these adaptations could be actual
structures or behaviors)
 Theme: Interdependence: All life interacts together in an environment. Describe ways other
organisms are dependent on your organism. Describe ways your organism is dependent on other
organisms.
 All Life Evolves Who are the closest relatives to your organism? Is there any evidence of evolutionary
changes your organism has gone through? Does your organism possess any vestigial parts?
 Theme: Organization: All Life is organized. Describe the classification system and the specific
classification of your organism in the “tree of life”.
The Project:
 This is an individual assignment. Since this will count as your final grade you must work alone.
 Because each of you have your own interests and strengths, this assignment is broad in topic and
approach. Below is a list of possible methods of presenting what you research but feel free to add to this
list (Be sure to have your idea approved first!)
Project Ideas:
1. scrapbook
2. 3D art- sculpture or model (incorporating info somehow)
3. 2D art- painting, drawing, mural, etc. (incorporating info somehow)
4. poem
5. children’s book
6. video
7. powerpoint, prezi – will require presentation time scheduled OUTSIDE of class or school time.
8. ETC., ETC., ETC! What ideas do you have?
Tips:
 Pick a topic that interests you and consider your strengths: Are you an artist? Can you make a video?
 Although ALL life shares all the things listed some will be easier to find/describe for your organism.
Choose wisely!
 Consider the time available. You will have class time and anytime you have available outside of class.
Depending on what you choose you may need to additional work outside of class.
 The product expectations are unique for each student based upon the amount of time available.
 Have fun with this, it is meant to be something that you can enjoy and from which you can learn.
Plagiarism Policy
 Plagiarism is stealing another individual’s words or work and claiming them be your own. Paraphrasing
can even be plagiarism. Have confidence in your own ideas and abilities!
 Plagiarism is unacceptable and a student cannot receive a passing grade if his/her work is copied in any
way from any source. Please keep this in mind and if you need assistance or are unsure if you are
plagiarizing, ask!
Time Line and Due Dates…
Expect 1-2 days per week in class only.
Students who are not working on the PBA will have a higher expectation of quality and quantity of information.
Week of May 18th : Introduce project, brainstorm product and timeline
Week of May 26 – 29th: Project Details discussed with teacher and project idea finalized.
In class work time available.
Week of June 1st – 5th: Final in class work days.
Week of June 8th-9th : Project Due and Shared
Your first step is BRAINSTORMING!
Biology 300
End of the Year Culminating Project
Student Proposal Sheet
For my culminating project, I, ______________________ am investigating the organism __________________
The characteristics and themes that I think are most interesting &/or informative include:
Theme/Characteristic of Life (see page 1)
Because…..{include some important starting research (see
questions) you have found or reasons you know of…}
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Title of my project_____________________________________________________________________
The final project should look like __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What do I need to “make” my final product? (Purchase anything? Describe skills needed or equipment)
Detail a Timeline for yourself.
 What needs to be researched? By when?
 When do you need to begin constructing your product?
***Be careful, any power point or Prezi must be presented, outside of class time (which most likely
means, outside of the school day). This must be scheduled by May 29th
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Intro Project – p2
Intro Project –p1
No School
26
Biology Keystone
ReTest & MakeUps
Wednesday
20 – odd block
Thursday
21 – even block
Project Day
Project Day
Friday
22
PBA or Final
PBA or Final
Biology Keystone
ReTest & MakeUps
27
Sophomore Class
Trip – a work day
for people who are
here
28
29
A work day for
final
PBA
1
2
3 – block
4 – block
5
Background for Lab
PBA
Gel Electrophoresis
Lab
Gel Electrophoresis
Lab
PBA
Other Finals
Other Finals
Other Finals
Not a work day
8
Project is Due
9