Animal Adaptations Webquest
Your Mission
Explorer,
We need your help! We are concerned that the planet Earth is beginning to undergo many changes, and our animals have not adapted to meet these changes. Our goal is to make sure that all of the Earth's animals will be able to survive the changes. To do this we need you to research the adaptations of several animals on this planet. You will be working with many other explorers to complete this project while traveling across the world.
We need your help! We are concerned that the planet Earth is beginning to undergo many changes, and our animals have not adapted to meet these changes. Our goal is to make sure that all of the Earth's animals will be able to survive the changes. To do this we need you to research the adaptations of several animals on this planet. You will be working with many other explorers to complete this project while traveling across the world.
Task
I need you to follow these steps during your exploration:
- Select 3 animals to research and record the animal's location on your data sheet. Work with your partner to research and discover how these animals have adapted to survive in their environment.
- Create a new species of animal to meet the needs and factors of a specific environment of your choice. Think critically about the adaptations your new species would need in order to survive in the environment you select. Complete a rough draft using the outline on the New Species Report page and then type your final draft below your outline. You and your partner will develop one report together.
- Create a poster illustration of your new species in their environment. Use text features to label and explain each of the adaptations that allow the animal to survive in its environment.
Process
1. Research Materials
You will need the following resources for your trip. Please make sure that you have a copy of each document. (To do this, open each document in the Google Classroom assignment. Remember it will automatically save a copy to your Google Drive. Only open one document per group. I will show you how to share the documents with your partner so you can both work at the same time.)
2. Animal Selection
Look through the animals listed on the map. Select 3 animals that you will research throughout your exploration. Record these animals onto your Animal Adaptations Exploration Data Sheet. After you have selected all of your animals, click on the picture to follow the animal to its home. Research the website to find where on Earth this animal can be found, then record this information onto the Animal Adaptations Exploration Data Sheet.
3. Animal Research
Click on your animal to begin your exploration. Be sure to record all discovered information about the animals' adaptations on your Animal Adaptations Exploration Data Sheet. You must work together to identify at least 3 adaptations for each animal you choose.
You will need the following resources for your trip. Please make sure that you have a copy of each document. (To do this, open each document in the Google Classroom assignment. Remember it will automatically save a copy to your Google Drive. Only open one document per group. I will show you how to share the documents with your partner so you can both work at the same time.)
- Animal Adaptations Exploration Data Sheet
- New Species Report
2. Animal Selection
Look through the animals listed on the map. Select 3 animals that you will research throughout your exploration. Record these animals onto your Animal Adaptations Exploration Data Sheet. After you have selected all of your animals, click on the picture to follow the animal to its home. Research the website to find where on Earth this animal can be found, then record this information onto the Animal Adaptations Exploration Data Sheet.
3. Animal Research
Click on your animal to begin your exploration. Be sure to record all discovered information about the animals' adaptations on your Animal Adaptations Exploration Data Sheet. You must work together to identify at least 3 adaptations for each animal you choose.
4. Creating a New Species
Now that you have finished researching the adaptations of your 3 chosen species, you are going to work as a team to create a new species. First, think about the animals you chose to research in the last steps. Where do they live in the world? What types of adaptations do they have that help them survive in their environment? What do these adaptations help them do?
Next, use this knowledge to help you develop your new species and its adaptations. Begin by selecting the location on Earth that your species lives in. Don't just say, Australia. Does it live in the desert, the rain forest, the frozen tundra, mountains, rivers, ocean, etc? Be specific!
Now think about the location you selected. What qualities and abilities would your animal need in order to live in this location? (Does it need to stay warm? How does it breathe? How does it eat? How does it protect itself from predators? Etc.) These abilities are its adaptations. You need at least 3 adaptations for your new species. Be creative!!
Once you have determined what your species looks like and what its attributes are that allow it to survive in its environment, complete the outline on the New Species Report to begin drafting your report.
After you complete your draft, review it with your partner and make any necessary edits or revisions. Then, type up your final draft of your report on a new page below the outline.
5. Poster Illustration
Finally, using your information from your report to the Environmental Protection Agency, create a poster that illustrates your species in its environment. Include text features that label each of the species adaptations and explain their purpose. Be sure to take your time, color your poster, and make it appear nice and presentable. Be prepared to present your poster to the class.
Now that you have finished researching the adaptations of your 3 chosen species, you are going to work as a team to create a new species. First, think about the animals you chose to research in the last steps. Where do they live in the world? What types of adaptations do they have that help them survive in their environment? What do these adaptations help them do?
Next, use this knowledge to help you develop your new species and its adaptations. Begin by selecting the location on Earth that your species lives in. Don't just say, Australia. Does it live in the desert, the rain forest, the frozen tundra, mountains, rivers, ocean, etc? Be specific!
Now think about the location you selected. What qualities and abilities would your animal need in order to live in this location? (Does it need to stay warm? How does it breathe? How does it eat? How does it protect itself from predators? Etc.) These abilities are its adaptations. You need at least 3 adaptations for your new species. Be creative!!
Once you have determined what your species looks like and what its attributes are that allow it to survive in its environment, complete the outline on the New Species Report to begin drafting your report.
After you complete your draft, review it with your partner and make any necessary edits or revisions. Then, type up your final draft of your report on a new page below the outline.
5. Poster Illustration
Finally, using your information from your report to the Environmental Protection Agency, create a poster that illustrates your species in its environment. Include text features that label each of the species adaptations and explain their purpose. Be sure to take your time, color your poster, and make it appear nice and presentable. Be prepared to present your poster to the class.
Evaluation
Your work during the exploration will be graded using the following rubrics.
-Animal Adaptations Research Rubric
-New Species Rubric
-Animal Adaptations Research Rubric
-New Species Rubric