Biology – Unit: Evolution
Student Handout
What’s New?
You and your team of fellow scientists set out on a trip to
collect data about the natural selection that is occurring in a
certain region. During your data collection, you notice an
animal you have never seen before. After some consideration,
your team agrees that it is a new species, never before seen by
humans! Since it may be years before this species is seen
again, it is up to you to document this animal and share your
information when you return from your trip. Take good notes!
Your field journal is the only record the world has of this new
creature.
The original goal of the trip was to collect information
about natural selection in the region, so for your own research
team, you must also include information about how this species
could have evolved, how the environment could have selected for
its traits, and how those traits have helped it to survive.
Purpose:
Your task is to thoroughly document this new species in
your field journal. Upon your return, the information you
collect will be entered into the worldwide database and shared
with fellow scientists who will use your report to learn about
this species. You will also briefly present your findings to
your peers.
Criteria:
Now that you have returned from your trip, you must hand in
your field journal and present your findings to your peers. The
journal may be typed or hand written. In order to make a
thorough report on the animal, your report must include:
1. A field journal
a. Detailed sketch of the animal
- Highly detailed, shows major physical
characteristics of animal
b. Observations about its physical traits
- Includes detailed description of traits, explanation
of how the environment has selected for these
traits, & how the traits have led to the species’
survival.
c. Observations about its behavior
- Includes detailed description of behavior,
explanation of how the environment of the animal has
selected for its behavior, & how the behavior has
led to the species’ survival.
d. Description of its habitat
Biology – Unit: Evolution
Includes detailed description of habitat, climate
and location are described, climate fits location
described.
e. The journal should be free of grammatical and spelling
errors.
-
2. A 3 minute presentation to class(of fellow scientists ).
- The presentation briefly covers the physical traits,
behavioral characteristics, and habitat of the
animal, and is at least 3 minutes long.
Tips:
 Climate and location should match up. You may have to
research a location to find out what the climate is like in
that area.

The habitat described should be realistic and should
actually be found in the location you have chosen to report
about. This includes other organisms described in the
habitat.

Remember to consider the environment this organism was
found in. It must be able to survive given the physical
and behavioral characteristics you described.

You may get as create as you wish with the new species you
describe! Just make sure to explain how its traits help it
to survive in the habitat in which it was found.

Don’t forget to name the new species!
Objectives:
 Apply evolutionary concepts in class to describe how a new
animal species would function in a known habitat.

Describe how natural selection could result in a new
species by explaining how specific traits or behaviors may
have been selected for.

Explain how certain adaptations or traits may help the
survival of a species.
Biology – Unit: Evolution
Things to consider:
Detailed sketch of animal
- Does it include the animal’s major physical traits?
- Could it clearly depict the animal to someone who has never
seen it before?
Observations about its physical traits
- What traits does this animal have?
- How do these characteristics help it survive?
- How could its environment have selected for these traits?
Observations about its behavior
- How does it interact with others of same species?
o How does this benefit the animal?
o How do these interactions help the species survive?
o How might these behaviors have been selected for?
- How does it interact with its environment?
o How does this benefit the animal?
o How do these interactions help the species survive?
o How might these behaviors have been selected for?
- Is the animal nocturnal or diurnal?
o How does this benefit the animal?
o How could this have been selected for?
- What is the animal’s diet?
o How is this animal adapted for this diet? (I.e.
opposable thumbs help with eating bananas, a highlyactive lifestyle makes a high-sugar diet suitable,
large eyes make nocturnal prey easier to find, etc.)
Description of habitat
- Where was this animal found?
- What is the climate?
- Does the climate match the location in which it was found?
- What other organisms in the area?
- Does the species have any predators?
o How might predators have selected for certain traits
in your new species?
A three minute presentation to class
- Summarize the notes in your journal.
- Based on your presentation, can the audience get a clear
idea of this species?
Biology – Unit: Evolution
“What’s New” Grading Rubric
Category
1 point
Detailed sketch Lacks detail
of the animal
and major
physical
characteristics
of animal
2 points
Lacks detail or
some major
physical
characteristics
of animal
3 points
Highly
detailed,
shows major
physical
characteristics
of animal
Observations
about its
physical traits
None of the
criteria met
1 of the
criteria met
2 of the
criteria met
Observations
about its
behavior
None of the
criteria met
1 of the
criteria met
2 of the
criteria met
Description of
habitat
None of the
criteria met
1 of the
criteria met
2 of the
criteria met
Grammar and
spelling in field
journal
Presentation
5 or more
errors exist.
3 or 4 errors
exist.
2 or fewer
errors exist.
The
presentation
meets 0-1 of
the criteria.
The
presentation
meets 2 of the
4 criteria.
The
presentation
meets 3 of the
4 criteria.
4 points
Includes detailed
description of traits,
explanation of how the
environment has
selected for these traits,
& how the traits have
led to the species’
survival.
Includes detailed
description of behavior,
explanation of how the
environment of the
animal has selected for
its behavior, & how the
behavior has led to the
species’ survival.
Includes detailed
description of habitat,
climate and location are
described, climate fits
location described.
The journal is free of
grammar and spelling
errors.
The presentation briefly
covers the physical
traits, behavioral
characteristics, and
habitat of the animal,
and is at least 3 minutes
long.