Species+of+Concern+Project

Project Guidelines: Before you begin your project, consider your strengths. Although it is good to work on improving any weaknesses that you may have, this project will allow you to tap into your greatest resource- yourself. Utilizing your strengths you will be able to choose a project that will allow you to "shine."

The project process has several phases. They are outlined below:
 * Phase 1: Identify people resources.** This includes identifying your strengths that can be tapped into. Then look around the classroom, pairing with others who have talents can help ensure your success. Consider your options for grouping wisely, by now you know those in the class that will contribute, and those that will distract your- Choose wisely... changing groups results in lost time and often lost resources.

@Suggested preliminary web resources
 * Phase 2: Identify research resources.** This may involve using computers, books in the classroom, or library resources to look for needed information. Although encyclopedia resources like wikipedia may be a great place to start- especially to identify key search terms, they should not be the resources on which you base your information.

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 * Phase 3: Seek community resources.** Will you need to go beyond the classroom to "make your project happen?" If you are planning to do artwork, will you need supplies or help from Mrs. Chase. If you want to build something from wood, how will you obtain the materials and shop time. This is the phase where you may have to reconsider the magnitude or direction of your project. Not having the proper resources will make it very difficult to be successful.


 * Phase 4: Research and evaluate.** Part of choosing a good topic (species of concern) is to keep an open mind. You may want to consider at least 5 possible choices and then rank them in order of preference. Look for the following when evaluating the species choice:
 * Has the topic been "beaten" in other words is the general population already informed- your project may be of greater value to others if the topic is not common knowledge.. topics dealing with pandas, polar bears, bald eagles, ect. may be common knowledge and cause others to challenge your supported information.
 * Is there documentation- that shows a connection to some human activity that contributes to the problem?
 * Is there documentation that supports a solution(s) to the problem?


 * Phase 5: Get the specifics**. Find **supported** information from **reliable** sources. You information should be current, accurate, an exaggerated. You audience is counting on you to be relay supported information. Remember to reference all information, pictures, and concepts. You must provide a works cited page with your product. You product will only be as good as your research. This phase is often the hardest and most time consuming portion of the project.


 * Phase 6: Product work time.** After researching your topic, arrange class time to work on your project. Groups that have divided up research components may find this a time to come back together as a group and do a little final planning. It is helpful at this point to create a time line, form a materials list, and set some realist goals. Your original thoughts on the product may need to be revamped if time does not allow for your original plan.

Be sure your project contains the following:
 * detailed information about the organism
 * common name
 * scientific name
 * where it lives
 * basic facts about the life cycle -(how it reproduces, offspring, etc)
 * What it eats / feeds upon
 * General facts
 * Specifics about the human induced problem / cause of the concern
 * Specifics about the possible solutions to the problem

You will also be required to submit a works cited page with 4-5 creditable resources. This page must follow guideline set by the Northwestern English Department which include MLA formatting.