GRADE LEVEL STANDARDS ADDRESSED:

Social Studies - National Geography Standards
Standard #8 Physical Systems: The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth's surface.
      •      The local and global patterns of ecosystems.
      •      How ecosystems work
      •      How physical processes produce changes in ecosystems.
      •      How human activities influence changes in ecosystems
Science Standards
S2 Life Sciences Concepts
a. Structure and function in living systems (such as the complementary nature of structure and function in cells, organs, tissues, organ systems, whole organisms, and ecosystems.)
c. Regulation and behavior (such as senses and behavior; and response to environmental stimuli.)
d. Populations and ecosystems (such as the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in a food web; and the effects of resources and energy transfer on populations.) 
e. Evolution, diversity, and adaptation of organisms (such as common ancestry, speciation, adaptation, variation, and extinction.)
S3 Earth and Space Sciences Concepts
  d. Natural resource management.
S4 Scientific Connections and Applications
a. Big ideas and unifying concepts (such as order and organization; models, form, and function; change and constancy; and cause and effect.)
S5 Scientific Thinking
f. Works individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas. 
S6 Scientific Tools and Technologies
a. Uses technology and tools to observe and measure objects, organisms, and phenomena, directly, indirectly and remotely. 
d. Acquires information from multiple sources (such as print, the Internet, computer data bases, and experimentation.) 
S7 Scientific Communication
a. Represents data and results in multiple ways (such as numbers, tables, and graphs; drawings, diagrams, and artwork; and technical and creative writing.)
Applied Learning Standards
A2 Communications Tools and Techniques
a. Makes an oral presentation of project plans or findings to an audience beyond the school; that is: 
  • adjusts the style of presentation to suit it's purpose and audience;
  • speaks clearly and presents confidently
  • responds appropriately to questions from the audience
  • evaluates the effectiveness of the presentation. 
A3 Information Tools and Techniques
b. The student uses information technology to assist in gathering, analyzing, organizing, and presenting information, that is, the student:
  • acquires information for specific purposes from on-line sources, such as the Internet, and other electronic data bases, such as a scientific data base on CD-ROM
  • uses word-processing, graphics, data base, and spreadsheet programs to produce project reports and related materials. 

 
 
English Standards
E2a Writing

The student produces a report that:

  • engages the reader by establishing a context, creating a persona, and otherwise developing reader interest;
  • develops a controlling idea that conveys a perspective on the subject;
  • creates an organizing structure appropriate information
  • includes appropriate facts and details
  • uses a range of appropriate strategies, such as providing facts and details, describing or analyzing the subject, narrating a relevant anecdote, comparing and contrasting, naming, and explaining benefits or limitations;
  • provides a sense of closure to the writing.
E3c Speaking, Listening, and Viewing

The student prepares and delivers an individual presentation in which the student:
 

  • shapes information to achieve a particular purpose and to appeal to the interests and background knowledge of audience members;
  • shapes content and organization according to criteria for importance and impact rather than according to availability of information in resource materials;
  • uses notes or other memory aids to structure the presentation;
  • develops several main points relating to a single thesis;
  • engages the audience with appropriate verbal cues and eye contact;
  • presents a sense of individuality and personality in selecting and organizing content, and in delivery.
  • shapes information to achieve a particular purpose and to appeal to the interests and background knowledge of audience members;
  • shapes content and organization according to criteria for importance and impact