Create a Habitat
Web Quest
INTRODUCTION
Remember when you had your first goldfish for a pet? What did you feed it? How often did you have to clean the bowl? How else did you have to care for it? You have probably all gone through several goldfish bowls in your lives. What happened to that bowl that was left behind after the last fish died? Does it have to be filled with water? Does it have to contain fish? What are your options? There is an empty 10 gallon tank in our classroom that needs to be filled! What can we fill it with that we can afford, and that we will be able to maintain?
TASK
You will need to choose a habitat, and describe what needs are specific to that habitat. Within your group, you will assume one of the following roles:
· 
Plant Biologist...you
will determine which plants are best suited for your environment. What role do
they play in the habitat? Your need to be sure to communicate with the animal
biologist to insure that the plants are compatible with the animals. You will be
responsible for sharing this information with your group and the class.
· 
Animal Biologist...you
will determine which animals are best suited for your environment. What role do
they play? Are they compatible with other animals and plants in the environment?
Be sure to check with the plant biologist! You will be responsible for sharing
information with the class.
· 
Purchasing Agent...you will need to find a supplier for the equipment that will be
needed to create your habit. Check with the plant and animal biologists to find
out your needs. Cooperate with the accountant to figure out cost!
· 
Accountant...you
are the mathematician of the group! You will need to cooperate with everyone to
figure out the quantity and cost of things to be ordered. You will also be
responsible for presenting equipment and maintenance requirements to the class.
Each of you will be responsible for completing information sheets for your specific role. After you have completed your individual sheets, your group will present your habitat to the class. The class will evaluate each habitat. After all groups have presented, the class will vote on the habitat to be created!
GROUPS
1. Paul, Crystal, Jose, Shayla
2. Jonathan, Kristylynn, Tristan, Grace
3. Sophia, Justin, Jorge, Vivian
4. Jorge, Elyssa, Joe, Shelby
5. Aldo, Selena, Emmanuel, Sarah
6. Jeffrey, Kevin, Majda, Lauren
7. Adrianna, Yordi, Marcos, Kathy
8. Araceli, Roberto, Daniel, Sharon
9. Irvin, Stephanie, Victor, Jennifer
PROCESS
- As a class, you will brainstorm solutions to the problem of what to put in the vacant container.
- In groups of 4, you will select one of the following habitats: tropical aquarium, cold water aquarium, woodland vivarium, or desert vivarium.
- Within your groups, you will choose one of the following roles: Plant Biologist, Animal Biologist, Purchasing Agent, or Accountant.
- You will research your role using traditional and online sources.
- You will share your information with your group members and reach decisions as to what you want your habitat to contain. Your input and cooperation with your group will be evaluated.
- You will complete, and be evaluated on, an information sheet for your role.
- You will prepare a presentation for the class to share your habitat information.
- You will complete, and be evaluated on, a data chart for each habitat.
- The class will vote on the habitat that will occupy our tank.
- Final purchases will be made, and you will create the habitat!
TIME FRAME
It should take approximately 6 days to complete this project.
 | Research: 2-3 days |
| Sharing information/coordinating with group: 1 day |
| Preparing presentation: 1 day |
| Oral Presentations: 1-2 days |
RESOURCES
There are many different sources available for you to complete this project. Remember, you can use textbooks, books, magazines, newspapers, flyers, manuals, people... To help you in your search, these links are good sites to get you started.
Cool Pictures for Your Presentation
WATER HABITATS
Noah's Pet Supplies-Aquaria Resources
Noah's Pet Supplies Fish Catalogue
Pet Forum Beginner's Information
LAND HABITATS
Terrariums: Historical Perspective and Modern Day
Terrarium Projects-Woodland/Tropical Plants
PRODUCT
Your group will prepare a presentation for the class to share your habitat information. Your presentation should be complete and accurate. You are trying to sell your product to the class! Be creative and informative; it should be a kind of "infomercial", and last 5-10 minutes. Presentation should include:
| Pictures of plants and animals to be use |
| Equipment/supplies needed |
| Costs |
| Upkeep |
ASSESSMENT
You will be assessed both as an individual and part of a group. Your assessments are:
|
Data Chart Completion
| ||||||||||
| Group Participation Rubric | ||||||||||
| Oral Participation Rubric | ||||||||||
| Habitat Analysis Chart |
CONCLUSION
As a class, we will choose our habitat! After completing this Web Quest, you should be able to effectively establish and maintain an aquarium or vivarium! You should be able to transfer this knowledge to any pet or hobby!
SAMPLE POWER POINT
Created by: Anna Zuccarini and Peg Vandeleur
Modified by: Katie Kavanagh and Kristen Goodwin
