Ecology & Evolution Performance Task
Create & Name An Original Organism
Subject: Ecology/Evolution (Biology)
Grade Level: 10 (Time: one 90 period period)
Topic: Classification / Taxonomy
Background
Carolus Linnaeus set up the first system of classifying organisms in 1753. Currently, we
classify from about 5000 to 8000 new organisms per year. Scientists use the organism’s
structure (the body parts and how they are put together and used) to classify. Scientific
names are assigned by the first person to discover and describe a new species and the
names usually relate to the body structure. This system of classification is called
Taxonomy and there are currently six different kingdoms in which all known living
organisms are classified.
Task
The student and his/her lab partner will create a new (imaginary) organism. The student
must draw the organism, illustrate its habitat, list the diet of the organism, explain what
previous species it probably evolved from, give the time period on the Geologic Time
Scale in which the organism exists/existed, classify it in the proper kingdom, assign it a
scientific name (Genus and species), and describe any other important details such as
size, physical features, mobile/sessile/stationary, etc.
Purpose
To make students aware of how organisms are classified and scientific names are
assigned.
Materials
Poster paper, markers/crayons/colored pencils, Encyclopedia of Living Things, geologic
time scale, Biology text book, rulers, pens/pencils
Procedure & Rubric
1. Draw original organism on poster paper (in color)
25 pts
2. Assign a scientific name (2 words; Genus & species) 10 pts
3. Illustrate habitat
10 pts
4. Classify it in the appropriate kingdom
10 pts
5. Describe its evolution, diet, time period, features, etc. 25 pts
6. Partners will present poster to the class audience
20 pts
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Total: 100 pts
Score
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Must include the following details in your summary and/or poster:
 Ancestor(s) your organism evolved from
 Geologic Time scale period from when it evolved (see pg. 366)
 Which Kingdom does your organism belong to?
 Give it a Genus and species name (see taxonomy in text book)
 Describe how your organism gets its energy (chemosynthesis, photosynthesis, aerobic or
anaerobic respiration)
 If it is a consumer, what is its typical diet?
 Describe its habitat. What type of biome/where in the world does it live?
 Any symbiotic relationships within its ecosystem? Is it a predator? Is it prey for another?
 Describe/Design its major features: height, length, weight, body composition (shell, armor, scales,
fur, stems, roots, etc), color, mobile or sessile, how does it move, etc.
 How does it reproduce and how often?