MARINE BIOLOGY FINAL PROJECT HANDBOOK FOR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING

MARINE BIOLOGY FINAL PROJECT HANDBOOK FOR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING YOUR FINAL IN THIS COURSE

STEP ONE: CHOOSE A CATEGORY �CATEGORIES INCLUDE �A. Research Project – (two options) 1. Hands On 2. Second Hand- Data analysis �B. Creative Idea �C. Community Involvement

PROPOSAL of PROJECT �Your Project Idea has to be approved my me! �Here is what I will be looking for: �Your project Idea- Does it have Depth? Does it make connections in the real world? NOT JUST A BOOK REPORT �Will your project require a partner or not. Most creative projects will probably be done independently unless it is a demanding project �How will you execute your project? (goals, time frame) �Knowledge of Due Dates. Presentations Start 1/4 �Presentation Idea. ( usually powerpoint format)

Option 1: Research Project �The Research project should be hands-on and original whenever possible. �Pick a topic early in the semester and do background research (pre-search) �ASK A QUESTION(? )! �Devise a hypothesis �Set up project, record observations and data �Organize results in graphs or tables �Come up with a conclusion �Keep track of references used!

Examples of Research Projects �Study fish behavior in one of the Marine Aquaria �Add a new animal to the tank and study what happens �Study tank chemistry over time and record long-term measurements in various tanks �Work with sea stars/ anemones/snails �Establish a tank at home �Perform a dissection/comparative anatomy �How do animals respond to changing salinity? �TEST SOMETHING OUT!!!!

Research project- Adding new organisms to the tanks.

OPTION #2 - SECOND HAND DATA �Sometimes it is difficult to collect data as a scientist. �You may use various resources to manipulate and use data collected by scientists or real time data logging systems to answer a question you have. �You MUST use charts and graphs in your finding. �An example of a site would be www. hrecos. org or www. noaa. gov �The information is there for you to use and make sense of! WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN?

Just Some Ideas �Population studies on invasive species, endangered species or an overpopulated species �Study the history of an organism or controversial practice performed by humans �Find tracking information �What are climate patterns that impact the ocean and its sea life? �Evolutionary aspect of creatures �Behavioral studies �SO MANY MORE…… see some examples

Option#3 - CREATIVE IDEA � We want you to use your creative side to develop a way of demonstrating your Marine knowledge. � Research a unique topic and represent facts in a innovative way such as: �Create a children’s book �Video/PSA/Brochures � 3 d representation of an interaction or environment(anemone/clownfish/reef). �research and evaluate summertime marine opportunities (camps, trips, etc. ) �Create a mural in the school �Any Idea that you may have (with approval)

Option #4 -Community Involvement �Your goal would to raise public awareness about issues that are facing our marine world. �You would want to research the issue and possible organizations that support marine life. �Then it is your turn to take action. Use what you have learned to raise awareness within different aspects of your community

Community Involvement options �Develop a lesson plan to teach elementary age children �Fundraise and donate to an organization. �Volunteer/ participate in local opportunities �Social media campaign #savethefins �School wide awareness events �Options are endless……… with approval

TOPIC IDEAS- They need to be more in depth but here are some stepping stones �Marine Environments �Hudson River �Pollution �Plankton �Marine Worms �Aphotic Zone Creatures �Benthic Creatures �Beaches �Shells (acidification) �Bivalves �Univalves �Sponges �Corals �Anemones �Sea Jellies �Crustaceans- Lobsters/ Crabs �Echinoderms � Sea Stars � Sea Cucumbers � Urchins/Sand dollars �Cephalopods � Squid � Octopus � Nautilus � Cuttlefish

Your job�Sign up for topic �Pick a partner if necessary � you have 3 days of presearch! �Hand in your proposal by 11. 21. 17 � 5 points per day in the computer lab = 15 points total

Presentation of Final Project �Everyone will be required to present their project. JANUARY 4 th, 2018 �Computer lab 1222/1225 - 12/20 -12/22 and 1/2 �The project could be put into a Power. Point format and presented in front of the class at the end of the semester. �CREATIVE OPTIONS could also do a display of a model or Brochure �A Trifold would be acceptable depending on your project �For each Option, there is a different format. Follow the format for your project.

Power point presentation format for Research Project/ SECOND HAND DATA �Title Slide- Use lots of photos (1 slide) �What is the question you are researching? (1 slide) �What is your hypothesis? (1 slide) �Background Information on your topic(research) (2 -3 Slides) �Materials List (1 -2 slide) (2 nd- what did scientists use? ) �Procedure (2 -3 slides) (2 nd- how did scientist complete work? ) �Data Collection (1 -2 slides) (2 nd- info from scientists) �Charts/ Graphs (create one or get one from research) (1 -2 Slides) �Analysis and Discussion (1 -2 slides) �Conclusion (2 -3 slides) �Photo slides (1 -2 slides) * Photos should be scattered through out the project �References and End Slide(1 -2)

Format for Creative Project �You may create/ utilize one of the following presentation methods: �a video representation �a Brochure �a Trifold �a Power. Point �a children’s book �a display �A 3 Dmodel �Any idea you may have (with approval)

What can I make sure of? �You are finished and on time. �Research projects- use a 2/3 minute video clip �Your minimum slide # is 12 �Presentation should be 3 -5 minutes �Use photos throughout �Please have a logical flow, slides should transition well �Make on Google- Share with me on Google. �Name on Powerpoint!!!! �YOU WILL NOT PASS WITH OUT THIS PROJECT

Option 2: A booth at Under the Ice or Phantom of the Aqua �Under the Ice in the spring semester and Phantom of the Aqua in the fall are programs for all children in the district (we usually get around 350 children attending). **(11/6) �They will come from 5: 30 -8 pm and tour various booths. �The booths should be hands-on in nature. �The booths should be designed to teach concepts related to a topic in Marine biology. �You should have handouts, booklets, etc. the kids at your booth. �You should also have rewards at your booth for when the kids do your activity correctly!

Power point presentation format for Under the Ice/Phantom Booth �Title Slide (1 slide) �Background information on your topic (2 -3 slides) �What are your objectives? What do you plan on teaching the community? (2 -3 slides) �Booth Set up- Where was it, how was it set up? (2 Slides) �Procedure- What happened at your booth? (2 -3 slides) � Overall Conclusion (2 -3 slides) �Photo slides (1 -2 slides) * Photos should be scattered through out the project

Examples of booths at Phantom of the Aqua �The booths should center around either the Aphotic zone/ Tentacles to claws, etc. We are trying to teach them about the adaptations of extreme zones. �You could have a booth teaching kids the identification of sea shells. �You could have an activity about aphotic/benthic zone (adaptations). �You could play games, have obstacle courses, etc. that center around animals in these ecosystems. �Be creative and have fun with your booth!

Examples of Phantom of the Aqua Booths