Name: ______Date: ______Period#: ______

UNIT 7: INVERTEBRATE ANIMALS QUEST – EXTENDED THINKING PROJECT

Directions:

  1. Start with a question that you would like to answer – something you are interested in. This should not be a question that we have answered in class. The intention is to extend your thinking and investigation beyond what has been done in class.
  2. This is not a collaborative project. Your work should be your own, written in your own words. It is not acceptable to simply copy and paste information that you do not understand.
  3. Part of the grade for the project will be for you to communicate what you have learned about your question or topic.
  4. Your question or topic must be approved by your teacher.
  5. Determine how you will share your findings with others (e.g. PowerPoint, Prezi; poster; newspaper article; video; brochure; children’s book; comic strip; etc.).
  6. Complete the Extended Thinking Project Proposal below.

Possible Topics for Investigation:

  • Kingdom Animalia and Symmetry
  • What are the different phyla in Kingdom Animalia? How are the organisms classified into each phylum?
  • What are the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates? From key differences and examples.
  • What are the three major types of symmetry? What are characteristics of animals with each symmetry type? Which phyla have each symmetry type? Provide a large list of examples of organisms in each symmetry type.
  • Phylum Porifera and Phylum Cnidaria
  • Investigate the different methods of reproduction in sponges.
  • What are the three major classes of sponges? Investigate one or more of these classes.
  • Research a specific sponge species. Provide common name and scientific name as well as how it is a typical member of phylum Porifera.
  • Why is it important to protect coral reef colonies?
  • How do different organisms interact on a coral reef?
  • What are the most dangerous jellyfish species? How do you avoid getting stung? What treatments are there for jellyfish stings?
  • Investigate current research (scientific articles) on sponges or cnidarians.
  • Phylum Platyhelminthes and Phylum Nematoda
  • What are stem cells and how are they involved in planarian regeneration?
  • Research a specific parasitic worm and report on characteristics, host species, worm life cycle, treatment, and prevention.
  • How can you create a visual of a flatworm/roundworm life cycle?
  • Investigate current research (scientific articles) on flatworms or roundworms.
  • Other Major Invertebrate Phyla
  • Investigate a question or recent research about a species from one of the following major invertebrate phyla:

Annelida – segmented worms (leeches, earthworms, polychaete worms)

Mollusca – mollusks (clams, oysters, snails, slugs, octopuses, squids, cuttlefish)

Echinodermata – echinoderms (sea stars, sea urchins, brittle stars, feather stars, sea lilies)

Arthropoda – arthropods (insects, spiders, scorpions, solpugids, mites, ticks, centipedes, millipedes, crustaceans) – see Spider Profile Assignment below.

  • Lesser Known Invertebrate Phyla
  • Investigate a question or recent research about a species from one of the following lesser known invertebrate phyla or about the phylum itself:

Ctenophora – comb jellies

Rotifera – rotifers

Nemertea – ribbon worms

Ectoprocta – bryozoans or moss animals

Nematophora – horsehair worms

Acanthocephala – spiny-headed worms

Sipuncula – peanut worms

Onychophora – velvet worms

Chaetognatha – arrow worms

Echiura – spoon worms

Tardigrada – water bears

  • Complete Phylum Register Pages for each of the Eight Invertebrate Phyla Discussed in Class (i.e. Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida, Mollusca, Echinodermata, and Arthropoda).
  • Complete a Spider Profile Project on a specific spider species (see Mr. Hooper for specific format and resources).

EXTENDED THINKING PROJECT PROPOSAL

Question/Topic:

Summarize how you will share your findings:

Approved by my teacher: ______Date: ______