Name: __________________________________

Species:____________________________
Species Research Project
A study of the impact of a local animal species
Why are we doing this?
As we explore concepts like carrying capacity, balance, and conflict in
communities (both ecological and human), we need to be able to
critically think about how each species impacts the community. There
is a balance that can only occur when each species is at an appropriate
population for the ecosystem where it lives. As scientist, we are
exploring individual species that are currently living in Southwestern PA
trying to determine if they show signs of being balanced or
unbalanced in our community.
What are we doing?
Observations
Research in books and online
Creating a project that displays this information and our thinking
Options you have to choose from to show your thinking and research. If
you have another idea you need to have it approved by Ms. Fox or Ms.
Lackner.
You will need to some work at home
Informational Poster
Informational Comic
Book
Book (childrens book)

A board game

Documentary-style
movie **
Skit from the
perspective of your
animal species
Set of songs/poems

A journal written from

the point of view of
your species

Power-point
News Broadcast
Artistic
Representation
**(pictures, paintings,
3-D models)
An idea of your own!

You could do a combination of the above. (Example, a 3-D model and a

poster.)

Information that MUST be included in your project

Basic Info:
Field Guide Information
1. Size (average adult size you could also include interesting
record breaking sizes)
2. Color(s)
3. Important features (adaptations, special markings, body parts)
4. Ecosystem it lives in
5. What its home looks like
6. What it eats
7. What eats it
Other Info:
8. Signs or evidence of the animal
9. A picture or drawing of the animal
10.
Observation data (how many you saw, where you saw
them, what time of day you saw them, signs you saw of the
animal)
Thinking Questions:
1. What does balance look like in a community? (human and
animal)
2. Does your species have a healthy, balanced population or
unhealthy? (over or under-populated?)
3. If unhealthy, how can humans try to bring this species to a
healthy population? If healthy, how can humans make sure that
species stays at a healthy population?
4. What kind of conflict(s) is your species involved in?
Viewpoint of your species:
Take the perspective of your animal. Describe how it interacts with the
environmental and human communities. Have fun with this! Make this
part of your presentation. You could act it out, draw a picture, write a
poem, write a day in the life story, or a song - as long as it is written
from the point of view of your animal.
It should be at least three sentences/lines/pictures.
Questions:

Include at least one question that you still have about your species
that you would like to explore.