Endangered Species Project for 7th grade Science

The Cool thing about PBL is the ability to make Real world connections! Check out how a team of researchers (three 7th grade students from Smith Middle School) convinced Congress (their teachers, Mrs. Bitar and Mrs. Hammoud) to virtually adopt an endangered species.

Research teams (of three students)  choose a threatened / endangered species.

As Research Scientists for the federal government, students conducted research to educate themselves about an animal’s habitat, reproduction, future, history, appearance/ behavior, enemies and survival.

Each team member chose between the following roles:  Ecologist, Zoologist and Conservationist and completed the individual background research.

 Teams worked to form a lobbyist group that developed a 5 minute persuasive plan of recovery to get their animal off the threatened / endangered species list using an Infographic Slide. 

Finally, the lobbyist group prepared and presented the information to Congress (Ms. Bitar and Ms. Hammoud) who selected the endangered animal that will be financially sponsored.

One team, consisting of Maya Othman, Max Polster, and Taylor Snow were selected to virtually adopt “Jimmy the Wombat” due to their in depth research on the Common Wombats endangered species status and ecological factors that contributed to their population decline. Here’s a picture of “Jimmy” and his new adopted parents (who are welcome to visit him at the Australian Zoo if they are ever in the neighborhood).

Here are the NGSS and CCSS covered in this Project.

  • MS-LS2-4. Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
  • RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
  • SL.8.5 Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.

More information about Project Based Learning along with the resources used in this assignment, Check out the MyPD site and enroll in the PBL course.

Jimmy Certificate – Maya O, Max & Taylor (1)

Jimmy Letter – Maya O, Max & Taylor (1)

 

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