Year 8 Science
Model Making and
Research Task
Due
Date: Monday 3rd March (Term 1,
Week 6)
Weighting:
20%
Syllabus Outcome
4.10:
A student identifies
factors affecting survival of organisms in an ecosystem. They can describe
adaptations and food webs for living things in an Australian ecosystem.
Your
task
There are 3 sections to be completed
and submitted on the due date. All work must be individual and your own.
Part
1 Model: Choose an Australian ecosystem that
interests you and create a 3-D model, mobile or diorama that represents the
life forms and energy flows within your ecosystem.
A list of suggested ecosystems
includes: rainforest, mangrove, desert, woodland, Antarctic, freshwater pond, rock
pool, coral reef, grassland, saltbush plain, sclerophyll forest, heathland.
Your model should include the
following:
* The name of your chosen
ecosystem
* A variety of producers (at least
2)
*
A variety of 1st, 2nd and 3rd order consumers (at least 3 of each)
* Decomposers (at least 2)
* A suitable key
Be creative!
Suggested materials include magazine
pictures, shoe or other boxes, string/wool/wire/coathangers, paint, clay,
plasticine and toy animals. However, you are not restricted to the items on
this list.
Do NOT use actual animals (dead or
alive) or any material that will decompose. The size of your finished model
should not exceed approximately 30 x 30 x 30 cm.
Part
2 Food Web: On a separate A4 piece of paper,
draw a food web of your ecosystem showing the energy flows within. If you
prefer not to draw your organisms, you can write their names instead. Use a
checklist or your key from Part 1 to make sure you have included every organism
from your model ecosystem.
Part
3 Adaptations: Construct a table to describe how
one adaptation for each of five plants and animals chosen from your ecosystem
gives them the best chance of survival and reproduction.
Hint: For each of the five organisms;
list your plant/animal’s name, one
adaptation and a short description of how this enables it to survive and/or
reproduce in its environment. Make sure you use a variety of producers,
consumers and decomposers.
Use
the marking criteria below to check that you have included everything.
|
Year 8
Science MARKING CRITERIA |
marks /40 |
|
Part 1. Model
Making |
20 |
|
Name of
Ecosystem |
1 |
|
At least 2
producers |
2 |
|
At least 3 of
each of the following: *1st
order consumers *2nd
order consumers *3rd
order consumers |
3 3 3 |
|
At least 2
Decomposers |
2 |
|
The sun as
initial energy source |
1 |
|
Suitable key |
2 |
|
Visual
display: Neatness, attention to detail, creativity |
3 |
|
Part 2 Food
Web |
10 |
|
All organisms included |
2 |
|
Arrows point
in correct direction |
1 |
|
All organisms
linked |
2 |
|
Accurate energy flow links |
2 |
Trophic groups on separate levels |
1 |
|
Neatness of
layout |
2 |
|
|
|
|
Part 3 Adaptations |
10 |
|
2 marks ea: 5 organism adaptations and survival
values |
10 |
TOTAL /40