Shipwreck Scenario

You and your pack of dogs are sailing in the middle of the Pacific Ocean when you are caught in a tropical storm. After trying your best to remain a float, the boat begins to sink forcing you and your dogs overboard. The waves are so harsh that the pack is separated, but luckily each dog is able to swim to different Pacific Islands and survived.

Directions:

Using the dog picture provided please draw what your dog will look like after 10,000 years in this new habitat. On the bottom of the poster, please write a short paragraph describing the adaptations and why they would occur. While your adaptations must be scientifically sound, creativity will be awarded. Each group will do all five islands.

Island 1: Abominable Snowman Island

This mountainous, snow-covered island is the home of the Abominable Snow-man. The vegetation of the island consists of tall evergreen fir trees. The island temperature ranges from

-20 to 10 F, with occasionally blizzards in the winter.

Island 2: Swamp Island

This island is covered in swamp land including quicksand which will engulf you if you are not careful. The island is mainly in habited by alligators, and other amphibian animals. Tall mangrove trees surround the area living in brackish water (fresh and salt water combined). It rains 8 out of the 12 months a year with drastic thunderstorms devastating the island every night. The temperature of the island always remains above 70F; however, during the summer, the temperature can get as hot as 110F.

Island 3: Desert Island

This island is covered with sand and tall sand dunes. Temperatures in the desert make it hard for animals to live there.All the animals that do live there have to be able to dig into the ground because of theextremetemperatures. The main flora in the desert is a cactus. Many types of other animals live in the desert including the carnivorous coyote which hunts its prey at night during the cooler temperatures.

Island 4: Purple Loosestrife Island

This island is covered in grassy, rolling hillsides of purple loosestrife. The temperature of the island remains warm throughout the entire year. The viscous carnivore groundhog digs through the land popping up out of the ground unexpectedly for its prey. However, the groundhog is frightened by purple which is why it lives underground except for gathering prey.

Island 5: Rock Island

This is one huge volcanic island! Sulfurous gases explode from underground gas pockets and sharp black volcanic rocks cover most of the island. There are also active lava flows that will burn you if you're not careful! The climate is very warm, although spontaneous rainstorms often disrupt sunny afternoons. A few weeds and grasses have colonized the island, but there is little animal life besides birds.

Your explanations for each drawing must include the following

-How these changes occurred

-Why these changes occurred

-How these traits are now advantageous in its environment

-A prediction of what would happen if this dog was reunited with the original dog

Original Dog Picture:

Making A Poster : Adaptation and Speciation Activity
CATEGORY / 10 / 6 / 4 / 1
Use of Class Time / Used time well during the class period. Focused on getting the project done. Never distracted others. / Used time well during the class period. Usually focused on getting the project done and never distracted others. / Used some of the time well during the class period. There was some focus on getting the project done but occasionally distracted others. / Did not use class time to focus on the project OR often distracted others.
Creativity / Several of the adaptations used on the organism reflect a exceptional degree of student creativity in their creation and/or display. / One or two of the adaptations used on the poster reflect student creativity in their creation and/or display. / The adaptations are made by the student, but are based on the designs or ideas of others. / No adaptations made by the student are included.
Scientific Concepts / Illustrates an accurate and thorough understanding of scientific concepts underlying the activity. Appropriate justification is given for each adaptation. / Illustrates an accurate understanding of scientific concepts underlying the activity. Appropriate justification is given for most adaptations. / Illustrates a limited understanding of scientific concepts underlying the activity. Appropriate justification is given for some adaptations. / Illustrates a inaccurate understanding of scientific concepts underlying the activity. Appropriate justification is not given for adaptations.
Working as a Group / The group almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of each other. Tries to keep people working well together. / The group usually listens to, shares, with, and supports the efforts of each other. Does not cause "waves" in the group. / The group often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of each other, but sometimes does not work well together. / The group rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of each other. Often does not work well together.