Teller Elementary School: Challenge Project s1

Teller Elementary School: Challenge Project This Place is a Zoo!

The Challenge Project is an optional activity for students who want to extend their learning experiences, to work beyond the classroom requirements, and/or to explore alternative topics. Families may need to lend support, encouragement, and assistance at home. The Challenge Projects are organized by Ms. Bass, Teller’s GT Specialist.

1. You are a wildlife expert who works for the Denver Zoo. Your job is to responsibly maintain and care for the species charged to you, as well as educate zoo visitors.

Pick an animal that might be displayed at a zoo and become an expert on that animal.

2. Classify the animal that you’ve chosen. This animal is a/an:

 fish  insect  amphibian  mammal  reptile  bird  other______

3. What is the common name of the animal you’ve chosen?

4. What is the Latin name of the animal you’ve chosen?

5. Your chosen animal is a/an:

 carnivore (meat eater)  herbivore (plant eater)  omnivore (eats meat and plants) What does your animal eat specifically?

6. In which habitat does your animal live?

 jungle or rainforest  polar region  plains / grasslands  forest or woods  freshwater lake or river  desert  mountains  ocean

 swamp or pond  seashore  other______

7. Create a sign for your chosen animal’s zoo exhibit. Visitors to the zoo should be able to read the following:

 The name of the animal in large letters  The animal’s habitat in the wild  The animal’s classification (from #2 above)  The animal’s diet  Other facts about this animal (at least 2 – 5 facts)

8. Include a map of the world showing where the animal lives in the wild. Do one or more additional projects about the animal you are studying.

9. Make additional posters for the exhibit:

 Present at least five other interesting facts that you found in your research.

 Include a picture of the animal in its natural habitat.

 Tell whether the animal is endangered, vulnerable, critically threatened, or threatened. Describe why this animal might be at risk.

 Describe at least three adaptation or body features (teeth, feet, eyes, ears, color, shape, size, etc.) that help the animal survive in its natural habitat.

 Create a food chain that has at least four links, including the sun.  Describe the animal’s body covering, heating system, type of reproduction, and breathing system.

The page that follows will help you with the tasks in this box. All animals have adaptations, or special body features, which help them survive in the wild. For example, buffalo have flat teeth for crushing and grinding food before swallowing. Male cardinals have bright feathers that help them attract a mate. Describe three of your animal’s adaptations below and include these on your poster.

Body part Purpose

All animals are also part of a food chain which starts with the sun. For example: sun oak tree squirrel eagle

Here is the food chain for my poster:

This animal has four important characteristics that I will put on my poster:

Body Covering Breathing System Heating System  hair or fur  lungs only  cold-blooded  feathers  gills and lungs  warm-blooded  dry scales  gills only  wet, slimy scales  body openings Reproduction  moist skin  thin, moist eggs  outside skeleton  leathery eggs (exoskeleton)  hard, brittle eggs  born alive

10. You might want to create a diorama or model of an appropriate zoo enclosure for this animal. Consider what you would need to know about this animal and its behaviors, as well as its natural habitat. Here a few thoughts…

 solitary or group  territory / range  social structure  water (drinking, swimming, etc.)  hunting and feeding  natural environment (rocks, grass,  exercise level sand, water, trees, etc.)  size of animal(s)  privacy  safety of animals and visitors  shelter  enrichment  temperature and light

11. Some animals in zoos begin to display abnormal behaviors because of boredom, depression, frustration, a lack of mental and physical enrichment, and removal from their natural habitat and social structures. Most common behaviors are pacing, swaying, rocking, and licking. Research this problem and develop ways to enrich the lives of zoo animals. 12. Consider the pros and cons of zoos. Make a chart listing at least 5 ideas for each perspective.

13. Based upon your list for #12, what do you think: Should we have zoos? Use the pros and/or cons to support your opinion.

14. There are many controversies regarding zoos. Pick one of the following questions (unless you have one of your own) and write your thoughts in a well-organized paragraph. Or make an outline of your thoughts and present them to the class in a speech. Make sure that you research your topic so that you have facts to support your opinions.

 What is man’s responsibility to animals?  What would be missing without zoos?  Which is more important: the animals’ needs or visitors’ needs?  Should zoos have a “code of ethics?” What should be included?  Should we even have zoos?  Do zoos really educate their visitors and help with conservation?  Are zoos humane or inhumane?  Should zoo animals be made to perform for visitors?  Should visitors be allowed to ride zoo animals, such as camels and elephants?  Should zoo animals be captured from the wild, or be obtained from other zoos?

15. Research the best zoos in the world. Determine what makes them “the best.” Using what you have learned, create a proposal for the Denver Zoo implementing a new idea or ideas that would benefit the zoo, its animals, and its visitors. 16. Design your vision of the perfect zoo.

17. Create your own project related to zoos.