BEST Learning Community
Habitat Project
Whadda Ya Want??
In an effort to introduce you to collaborative work and expose you to various aspects of the
biology field, I want you to think about the various flora and fauna that make up the world. What
role does each play in the circle of life? How is this species related to another species? What
would be affected if the species no longer existed? (What would Ishmael think?) Think about
these and other similar questions to help you explore the material necessary to complete this
project.
Task:
Group Portion:
I want you to construct a display demonstrating the role your selected species plays in the
environment. More specifically, your group will be required to do the following:
 Select a species of flora or fauna in which your group is interested. If you select an
animal species, it must be smaller than a breadbox.
 Research the species as well as its habitat – you will use this information for the second
part of the project (see below-individual portion)
 Design a habitat for that species –The habitat you construct could be for such things as
butterflies, insects, or plants – any flora or fauna. (Remember to think beyond the
obvious).
o Construct your habitat out of any material you find available. (Please don’t hire
an architect; those folks cost lots of money). You could use Styrofoam, poster
board, clay, little model trees/bushes–in other words, use your imagination.
o If you have any unusual requests, such as transporting an aquarium or where to
purchase items, let me know and we can make arrangements. Sorry, I can neither
purchase nor store a dolphin!
 Prepare a PowerPoint presentation on the species and its habitat. All of the members of
your group should share equally in the presentation.
 Design a brochure that covers the information in your display and presentation.
Individual Portion:
 Write a paper 1-2 pages long on some particular aspect of your species/habitat.
 You must use at least 2 outside sources for this paper and they cannot be from the
Internet. You must use print material from the library – either books or journals. I want
authorities from the field.
 Example: as a member of my group, I am interested in the care and wellbeing of my
species. My paper will contain information the most appropriate measures taken to ensure
the health and continuation of my chosen species.
 Example: my species plays a very important role in the development of medicines for
curing hydrodroxima plasmatic intestinal blockage of the sixth vertebra. I don’t know
what that is either.  However, if there was such a thing, I would find information on it
and in 1-2 pages explain the relationship of my species to the disease.
Evaluation:
 Your presentation should be 15-20 minutes long.
 You should use PowerPoint and provide a handout of the slides for the audience. Please
use the 3 slides per page feature.
 Your presentation should include a visual element that goes beyond the project model.
You might include such things as pictures of your species, graphs or charts which show
eating habits, or the life cycle of the species.
 You will be given an evaluation sheet which will be the one I use to grade the following
elements of your presentation:
o Introduction – how you engage the audience
o Body – completeness and depth of material
o Conclusion – ending with finality
o Delivery – including voice quality, tone, and general presentation techniques (we
will cover these in class well before your presentation).