Piecing it Together
CAP
End of Year Project
This CAP is an individual project. Students should be working individually (not in groups).
Materials: (per student)
Colored pencils or markers
White butcher paper or poster board
Ruler
Handout
Textbook
Pencil
Laptop
PURPOSE
To look closely into the life of a chosen organism to demonstrate that all life is interrelated.
To connect a chosen organism to 11 Biology topics covered during the year.
PROCEDURE
Day 1 – Hand out CAP and explain project, allow students to choose and draw their organisms, and plan
out their project design.
Days 2-3 – Individual project work time
Poster due date A-day May 27th, B-day May 28th
**Important Teacher Note: Remind students to connect their organisms to each topic. In addition,
students must use appropriate vocabulary and include detail to obtain full credit for each topic.
11 REQUIRED BIOLOGY TOPICS
Topic 1: ECOLOGY
Investigate and explain the relationships and
interactions within an ecosystem.
Include the following:
 Energy Flow (Food chains/Webs,
Pyramids)
 Element Cycle (at least one)
 Cycle or Food Web Disruption (Human
Impact)
 Interrelationship (competition,
predation, symbiosis, etc.) (at least one)
Topic 2: ORGANIZATION OF LIVING THINGS
Classify organisms at several taxonomic levels in
order to understand similarities and differences
between organisms.
Include the following:
 Taxonomy
 Kingdom organism belongs to
 Levels of Organization
 Scientific name and common name
Topic 3: VIRUSES
Describe a specific virus that affects your
organism.
 Discuss the type of replication cycle it
has, incubation period, and symptoms.
Topic 4: ANIMAL HOMEOSTASIS
Recognize that biological systems in animals are
composed of multiple levels that interact to
maintain homeostasis.
Include the following:
 Discuss two systems that interact
together or a feedback loop that
maintains homeostasis.
Topic 4: PLANT HOMEOSTASIS
Analyze and categorize the characteristics of
plants, recognizing their significance to living
systems.
Include the following:
 Plant Adaptations
 Homeostasis within Plants
 Hormone /Tropism Regulation
Topic 5: NATURAL SELECTION
Evaluate the role of natural selection on survival of
the species.
Include the following if it pertains:
 Evolution (Co-evolution)
 Discuss evidences of evolution
Topic 6: CELLS: BASIC UNIT OF LIFE
Discuss the cells in different organisms.
Include the following:
 Compare and contrast cell components
found in animals vs. plants vs. bacteria.
 Describe a role of the organic
molecules in your organism.
Topic 7: HOMEOSTASIS & RESPONSE
Relate the process of cellular transport to
homeostasis in an organism.
Include the following:
 Discuss how your organism’s cells
maintain homeostasis (active and
passive transport)
Topic 8: ENERGY CONVERSIONS
Relate the processes of photosynthesis and
cellular respiration to energy and matter.
Include the following:
 Photosynthesis
 Respiration
 Enzymes
Topic 9: DNA PROCESSES
Identify the structure and function of DNA and
RNA and their role in protein synthesis.
Include the following:
 DNA/RNA
 Protein Synthesis
Topic 10: CELL DIVISION
Describe the life cycle of a cell and how disruption
of the cycle affects an organism.
Include the following:
 Mitosis (Asexual Reproduction)
 Chromosomal number in body cells
Topic 11: HEREDITY & POPULATION
GENETICS
Interpret the role of genetics in determining
heredity and biodiversity.
Include the following:
 Meiosis (Sexual Reproduction)
 Chromosomal number in sex cells
 Population Growth Graphs (R or K
selected)
ASSESSMENT RUBRIC
Piecing it Together CAP
TASKS
Student
Self-Check
Part I: PIECING IT TOGETHER (Connections)
A. Organism related to and mentioned in all topics
B. If topics are omitted 9 points will be deducted for each one
Part II: PIECES (Required Topics)
A. Ecology
B. Organization of Living Things
C. Viruses
D. Animal Homeostasis * include if animal
E. Plant Homeostasis * include if plant
F. Natural Selection
G. Cells: Basic Unit of Life
H. Homeostasis & Response
I. Energy Conversions
J. DNA Processes
K. Cell Division
L. Heredity & Population Genetics
Part III: GENERAL
A. Completed project is neat and in color
B. A diagram is present for each of the required topics
ASSESSMENT
Points
Possible
11
99
4
4
1
3
3
2
2
1
3
2
2
3
2
11
(Total 150)
COMMENTS:
SCORE:
Teacher
Scoring