• Introduction
  • Dichotomous Keys
  • Observation Labs
  • Biomes and Clip Art
  • References

Introduction

In this PBL project you will be asked to do multiple tasks in your groups to create your final project. As you learned in your letter from the movie studio they need your help in creating the star of their next science fiction film. Using the activities in class along with these sites on this Hotlist you will be able to complete your tasks. In order to create a species, you must first understand what it takes to be a successful species. The assignments in class will help you to discover what makes each species unique and how they survive so that you can get ideas for creating your own species.

You will come back to this site multiple times, so don’t forget how to find it!

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Dichotomous Keys

Complete at least one of the dichotomous key activities listed below to help you learn about dichotomous keys.

  • Dichotomous Key Activity- Mr. Hayhurst’s Sci-Page gives you an activity to try at home or school that you print out and do step by step.
  • Dichotomous Key Guide- Great guidelines to follow when making and using a dichotomous key with an example given.
  • Dichotomous Key Lab- On this site for the JASON Project, you can create your own free login or use one that your teacher has given you in class. If you are not in class doing this activity you will need to login, click on Operation: Resilient Planet, then click on Mission 1, finally, go to the Dichotomous Key Lab. Instructions can be found there and you will need materials to complete it with. You can substitute buttons, noodles, beans or anything similar for the nuts, bolts, and screws.

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Observation Labs

You will be observing some live specimens of plants and animals in class. These sites will allow you to also observe plants and animals in their natural (or close to natural) environments. All of these sites require patience when you want to see animals in their own habitat!

  • Nautiluslive.org – This site is available from June through October of each year. You cannot depend on it showing you living organisms every day because sometimes they are searching for geological or archaeological sources.
  • The National Zoo – Choose from over 20 different live cameras from around The Smithsonian’s National Zoo. There is great information about each type of animal that you can see on camera.
  • The San Diego Zoo – This zoo has 3 live cameras to choose from as well as videos that have been saved. San Diego is great to view in the evening at home since they are 3 hours behind us and it is still daylight there.
  • National Geographic WildCam – Choose from cameras set up around the world by National Geographic to observe animals in their natural habitats. There are also videos from interesting observations on the cameras.

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Biomes and Clip Art

After your class chooses a biome, use these sites along with your text books to research them. Some of these sites can provide you with biome information and good pictures for you to print out. Other sites listed here are a good place to start looking for clip art or photos you could use to print according to your instructions given in class after you research your biome.

  • World Biomes – This page is made by 6th grade students and their teachers and is updated every year. It is easy to read and gives great information on plants, animals, and other characteristics of each biome.
  • KDE – Kid’s Do Ecology’s World Biomes page give good descriptions of each biome with names of plants and animals that live there. There are also links to other pages for more information and pictures.
  • Clipart – This site has great illustrations and other images that will print easily. Many of the plants have real black and white photos.
  • Classroom Clipart - This site has over 12,000 animals and over 2,000 plants. Some are real pictures and other are illustrations.

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References

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Central, L. (2010). “Dichotomous Key.” Retrieved October 12, 2010, from http://www.lucidcentral.com/Keys173/WhatareKeys/DichotomousKeys/tabid/215/language/en-US/Default.aspx .

Kobe, M. (1999). “Composite Critter.” Retrieved October 12, 2010, from http://www.lnhs.org/hayhurst/ips/dichot/ .

Martin, P. (2010). “Savanna Scene.” Retrieved October 12, 2010, from http://survival.phillipmartin.info./savanna_scene2.htm .

McDermott, P. (n.d.). “Motion Picture Camera.” Retrieved October 12, 2010, from http://mactrain.org/contact.html .

Photosearch, P. (2010). “Magnifying Glass, Globe.” Retrieved October 12, 2010, from http://www.fotosearch.com/UNC220/u17627515/ .

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Developed by M. Ferguson

Last updated October 12, 2010